In the Garden
Michael Miyashiro
Know the rules for sending
leis to the mainlandGraduations are over for the most part here in Hawaii, but mainland schools are just starting up. This is a good time to talk about the do's and don'ts in lei shipping.
Basically, it's illegal to ship any plant material through Federal Express, United Parcel Service, etc., without proper agricultural approval. Some leis are illegal to ship because of the damage that can be caused by introducing a new pest to some agricultural regions on the mainland. All fruited leis are prohibited (e.g., sea grape, hala, kikania, to name a few) because they may be carrying one or more of the four fruit flies commonly found here: the Mediterranean, Oriental, melon and Malaysian flies. These pests can cause extensive damage, so don't ship these. Many would spoil in transit anyway.
Maile lei doesn't pass agricultural standards for mailing to the mainland.
Other prohibited leis are those made from any pea or bean type of flower. Maunaloa, jade and erythrina leis are all prohibited for export because of a parasitic worm that feeds on the flower. A small moth seeks out the buds of these plants to lay its eggs. A few days later, the larvae hatch and start feeding on the flower. If you were to enclose a lei in a box, you'd find moths fluttering out when you open that box a few weeks later.
Don't worry about wearing such a lei; the larvae won't become noticeable until the advanced stage of the flower as it senesces, so just carry the eggs for now.
Don't think that these are the only leis that carry pests. Dendrobiums can be host to a thrip that can actually annoy the wearer. But most dendrobiums grown for lei production have been treated for this pest, reducing that possibility. Dendrobiums can be shipped if the Thrip palmii is not present.
GARDENIAS ARE also among prohibited flowers, not because of the thrips that pour out of these flowers, but for a scale that feeds off its stems and leaves. The green coffee scale is prohibited because the gardenia is a close relative of coffee. If this pest was to be released in countries where coffee is grown, it would wreak havoc on the industry and drive coffee prices up. So gardenias, whether worn on your hair or as a corsage, should never be taken out of Hawaii.
It's best to order leis from a florist for safe mailing to the mainland.
Maile should not be sent to the mainland, especially California. Our local (and Cook Island) plants are usually infested with scales, whiteflies and mealybugs, all of which are definite no-nos for California. Pesticide management could make it possible to ship maile at a later date.
Lastly, there is a question about roses. There is concern about the leaves of these plants and, for some inspectors, the calyxes (green portion of the flower). Although it is possible to ship roses with an Ag stamp, I hear stories of rejection due to the discovery of thrips on the leaves or calyxes.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture in California will charge you for the cleanup of any of these pests, which could cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.
It's better to be safe than sorry, so do it correctly and order your leis from your trusted florist. It's worth the extra dollars because they know the regulations. Besides, the recipients of these leis are worth it!
Michael Miyashiro is owner of Rainforest at Ward Warehouse. Contact him at 591-9999 or e-mail rainforesthawaii@aol.com.
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