When many guests walk off the airport and breathe in Hawaii's air, the first thing they usually say is, "It smells like flowers." These six emblematic flowers, while not all indigenous, encapsulate the romanticism and tropical splendor of the islands.

Plumeria

Few flowers are more associated with Hawaii than the ubiquitous plumeria, despite the fact that the plants are not native to Hawaii. The soft, velvety flower with an enticing sweet aroma is typically worn over the ear to signify relationship status (on the left, closest to your heart, signifies you are "taken" and on the right, you are single).

A German botanist introduced plumeria to the islands in 1860, and it thrived in Hawaii's tropical temperature and volcanic soil, producing various types that are unique to the islands. During World War II, it was common for sailors and later other passengers to toss a plumeria lei into the water as their ship passed Diamond Head. If the lei washed ashore, they would return. If it floated toward the ship, they wouldn't be returning.

Visitors at the USS Arizona Memorial frequently drop individual plumeria petals into the ocean to remember the lost.

Plumeria lei can be found at island airports, as well as plumeria trees growing in the wild throughout Hawaii Island's coastlines and many Oahu paths.

Hawaiian Hibiscus

Hawaii's official state flower is the yellow hibiscus (hibiscus brackenridgei), also known as the pua mao hau hele. In 1923, the territory of Hawaii designated the hibiscus as its state flower, but did not specify a variety, causing misunderstanding. Many citizens thought the native red hibiscus to be the official bloom until 1988, when Hawaii's Legislature designated the yellow hibiscus as the state flower. This is why you may encounter older photographs where the red hibiscus is listed as the state flower.

There are seven identified species of hibiscus native to Hawaii, including two indigenous and five endemic species. Over time, cultivators of the lovely flower created unique hybrids, resulting in the vast range of colors and sizes seen in Hawaii today. Koko Head Botanical Garden on Oahu is a nice spot to see various plants. The state flower can be found above sea level on Molokai, Lanai, Maui, and the island of Hawaii, as well as in hibiscus enthusiasts' yards, but if you encounter one in the wild, please do not pick it—they are an endangered species in their native habitat. Fun fact: Hibiscus blooms virtually daily, but just for a day or two.

Bird Of Paradise

When you think of the tropics, do you picture this flower?

Originally from South Africa, this classic perennial with blooms that resemble a tropical bird in flight is now very popular in Hawaii, particularly for cut flower arrangements, because to its long-lasting blooms and exotic colors.

Georgia O'Keefe, a well-known floral artist, created "White Bird of Paradise," one of her most famous works from the 1940s, while visiting Hawaii.

Bird of Paradise can be found at most nurseries and flower stores, as well as on numerous waterfall walks in Hawaii, including the famed Akaka Falls path on Hawaii Island and the Road to Hana on Maui.

Pikake

The Hawaiian name for Jasmine, pikake, which translates to "peacock," was popular with Hawaii's beloved Princess Kaiulani, who named the flower after her favorite bird. Pikake is considered one of Hawaii's characteristic fragrances.

Typically, when crafting pikake lei, buds rather than fully blossomed flowers are strung together, and numerous strands of buds unite to form a "rope lei." Brides, hula dancers, and special guests frequently wear these fragrant, delicate leis.

Ohia Lehua!

The tough, vividly colored Ohia Lehua (five kinds are native to the Hawaiian Islands, and the red lehua bloom is the official flower of Hawaii Island) is the first plant to emerge from barren lava flows when a volcano erupts. Perhaps this is why the Hawaiian tale surrounding this flower is sometimes associated with the volcano goddess Pele. The tale goes as follows: The volcano goddess once fell for a lovely guy named Ohia. But Ohia turned her down because he was in love with another woman, Lehua. Pele became furious and changed him into a gnarled, twisted tree with ashy bark. Lehua asked the gods to change him back, but rather to enrage Pele, they agreed on a compromise. They turned Lehua into a blossom on the ohia tree, symbolizing the lovers' eternal union. It is stated that if you pick a Lehua flower off its tree, it will rain soon after, representing the lovers' grief over being parted.

Ohia wood was a valuable hardwood in Native Hawaiian society, however it is rarely used today. It was used to build houses, decks, benches, and gunwales for boats. The flowers were frequently used as lei or to decorate hula altars. Both the bark and the young crimson leaves were employed for medicinal purposes. These stunning flowers can be found on all of the major Hawaiian islands, primarily at higher elevations.

Naupaka

These flowers are native to the Hawaiian Islands and are recognized for their lovely smell and distinctive shape, which gives the appearance that half of the flower is missing. A Hawaiian mythology explains this phenomenon: A lovely Hawaiian princess named Naupaka fell in love with a commoner whom she was forbidden to marry. An elderly wise man advised them to worship at a faraway heiau (temple) and seek instruction from the priest. They journeyed for days to reach the temple, but when they arrived, the priest informed them that there was nothing he could do. Naupaka was heartbroken and tore the white flower from her hair in half. She placed one half of the bloom in her lover's hand and instructed him to return to the shore, while she remained in the highlands. That explains why the naupaka plant has two distinct appearances, one in the highlands and one on the beach, and why they resemble only half a flower.

These beautiful blossoms (the more delicate "female" mountain naupaka has more of a smell than the "male" beach version) can be found blooming wild on all of the islands' beaches and hiking paths, as well as at the Honolulu Zoo, Ala Moana Park, and Sandy Beach on Oahu.