J Schwanke’s Life In Bloom

>> "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" is brought to you by the following.

>> That flower feeling.

At home.

At work.

Or anytime.

CalFlowers is a proud sponsor of "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom," where flowers and wellness go hand in hand.

>> We have fresh in all our stores, from soups and steaks and all things flour to all things flowering.

Custom fresh arrangements designed by our in-store florists at Albertsons Companies.

>> With additional support from the following.

>> Join us for the second part of our special trip to Hawaii, focused on the native art of lei.

We'll visit a generational puakenikeni tree and its caretakers.

We'll chat with the legendary Kimo about lei traditions and culture.

Then it's off to the Lei Day lei-making contest, winding up with a celebration of lei.

I'm J Schwanke.

Welcome to "Life in Bloom."

>> I will wear your love as a lei.

>> In Hawaii, May Day is Lei Day, and while every day is appropriate to wear lei, May 1st is a special day set aside to celebrate the tradition and rich culture of lei.

Lei is more than a singular adornment, an expression of aloha for visitors.

The Hawaiian lei stands as a symbol of affection, love, respect, and honor.

In times of both joy and sorrow, the na lei reminds us that we are bound by a circle of life and community that endures, capable of offering and receiving love in all its forms.

In Hawaiian culture, the concept of ohana, or family, extends beyond blood relations to encompass the broader community.

Those who have departed remain part of that ohana.

Their memories and impacts linger like the fragrance of a flower.

They will be remembered not just for the roles they filled in life, but for the love they shared and the joy they brought and the lives they touched.

Lei is a powerful cultural gesture of connection as well as the symbol of aloha.

We'll learn that lei is important in farewells, helps us to honor those who have departed, as well as celebrations and ceremonies such as Lei Day and the lei contest.

In this show, we hope to connect more deeply with a culture that holds profound respect for the Earth and its people.

My favorite lei of all is the puakenikeni lei, and it's not always easy to find.

Many puakenikeni lei are created with blossoms from a generational tree, which is just as it sounds -- a tree that has been cared for by generations.

Anuenue Punua is a cultural practitioner who sells puakenikeni lei made from her generational tree.

>> My great grandfather, he planted this tree, and I can't tell you what year that was.

When my parents moved here, my mom continued to take care of this tree.

So this tree is like the original tree.

>> So it's a fifth-generation tree.

>> My daughters are -- We're the fifth generation.

They are the fifth generation.

>> They are the fifth generation.

And so they help you pick.

>> Mm-hmm.

>> And they make lei.

>> Mm-hmm.

>> They're picking today in the bucket that was your -- >> My mom's.

>> Yeah.

I love that.

And once you've had a puakenikeni lei on, you know what that's all about.

I mean, the fragrance is incredible, right?

>> Yeah.

>> Yeah.

How long does the flower last?

>> It's really about how you care for it.

They're delicate in the way that if you keep on handling them, you touch them, they will bruise.

My mom always taught me to never refrigerate them or else you're going to have a brown lei because it's too cold for them.

That's how sensitive they are.

>> Okay.

>> But as long as you don't handle the lei, it'll stay.

But it's the moment that we put it on that it starts to get a little -- Right?

Our body heat and all those things affect it.

>> So, what's your first memory of this tree and the flowers?

>> The memories I have are my mom, you know?

>> Okay.

>> She would wake up in the morning, early in the morning before the sun was up, and she's picking it, because you also watch the weather.

>> Correct.

Sure.

>> Yeah.

So if it's really windy outside, you know, the flowers are getting bruised just by the wind.

>> Just by the wind.

>> So you want to pick it up as soon -- And then even when the sun comes up, the same thing, right?

It gets really hot, so the flowers start to brighten even more.

>> So morning is the best time to pick them.

>> Morning or even early evening.

>> Okay.

>> Or nighttime.

>> Right, right.

>> Why is lei so important?

>> It is such a symbolic type of way to show aloha.

Right?

Or love.

But not just love, right?

It's aloha.

It's being one with that environment.

>> I love to wear lei every day because I'm wearing flowers.

And, for me, it's the flower.

I'm here for a week.

So what should I do with my lei to make sure that it gets back to the ground and make sure that it gets back.

>> You know, so all these leis have thread or yarn inside.

So I usually tell people to take it off of that, and then you place it, you know, in the ground someplace.

I mean, if you're at a hotel, then I would, you know, obviously be a little bit more cautious of where... >> Just make so much sense, though, because I've been trying to think this through in my mind, and you're answering those questions.

So, unstringing it.

>> Yeah.

>> And returning it to the ground.

>> In the past, I've seen this more before than now.

People throw lei in the water, you know, but eventually, the thing that's left is the string.

And sometimes they use ribbons or stuff that doesn't break down.

>> Right, right.

>> So I always tell them, I say, "If you're going to take the lei, then make sure you just take the flowers off and put it into the ocean.

>> So you had brought up Aloha spirit.

What does Aloha spirit mean to you?

>> Oh.

[ Chuckles ] To me, it's, um, you know, it's being in the presence of the people that you're meant to be with at the time and place, right?

And to honor those people.

>> Mm-hmm.

>> And, um... Aloha -- I can't describe it.

Right?

It's an action.

It's a form of being.

And so I would not invite you in my house if I didn't feel aloha or something like that.

>> I love that it's -- it's ethereal, in a sense.

>> Mm-hmm.

>> That it -- And it's a kindness.

People have told me about the lei, that the lei is aloha, and the circle and the flowers and that you're placing it over your heart.

There's so many pieces and parts.

It's very complicated, but it's very special.

>> It is special, yeah.

It's a sense of being.

Right.

>> Yeah.

>> Mahalo.

Mwah!

>> Oh!

Anuenue, it's -- Oh, this is the best.

It is the best.

>> It looks really pretty [ Both laugh ] >> I had the distinct honor of visiting with Kimo Keaulana, an esteemed Hawaiian cultural practitioner.

Today, Kimo graciously invited me to join him at the Lanikuhonua Cultural Institute.

The institute's name translates in English to "Where Heaven meets Earth," making this the perfect place to learn more about the culture and custom of Hawaiian lei.

>> Even though there are lei customs throughout the world, there's something about the Hawaiian customs that makes our lei a little bit different and more special.

>> Yeah.

Yeah, it is.

It's a special part... >> Most certainly.

>> ...of being here.

>> Oh, most certainly.

A lei is given to someone when you don't have the words to say what you mean or the words are so inadequate and so a label speak on your behalf in its silent elegance.

>> So it reminds me, as a child, my dad said that our job as a florist was turning people's feelings into flowers.

>> Oh, yes.

>> And there's a similarity there, Kimo.

>> Yes, there is.

It's universal.

>> And he said flowers say what people can't.

>> Exactly.

That's the Hawaiian feeling, too.

>> Perhaps he's here right now.

>> He could be.

And he's the inspiration for this, yes.

Something that's interesting in the Hawaiian language.

We have two kinds of possessives in Hawaiian.

>> Okay.

>> One is called an apossessive.

The other is an all-possessive.

>> Okay.

>> Now when it concerns a lei, when we say "Kuaui lei," we would say your name.

>> Okay.

>> But once we put it on you, it becomes Kau lei.

Your lei.

But it's a kind of "your" that is more personal.

>> Okay.

>> And you have an ownership.

So even though I might have been the lei maker, I relinquish my ownership of this to you.

And so, the part of me that made this lei is no longer a part of me, but that part of me becomes a part of you.

We don't throw leis away.

>> Correct.

>> No, we don't.

We don't throw it in a trash can.

I have a tree at my home where all the lei go on top of.

And whenever I water my yacht, I water those dead lei, too, because they're going to become one with the Earth.

>> Okay.

>> Yeah.

And some people will actually dig a hole and bury the lei in the yard.

>> Mm-hmm.

>> Or if the lei came from the mountains, like ferns or Maille lei, some people will go back up to the mountains and dig the earth and then return the lei to the earth, or they will go right out to the ocean and sink the lei into the ocean.

So that's what we do with our lei when we're done.

A lot of people think aloha means "hi" or, you know, "bye," but it doesn't.

It's just that, in traditional Hawaiian times, we greeted one another with aloha, which means love.

So when you come into my presence, I want to bring you into my presence with love.

And when you leave me, I want you to take my love with you.

But by saying aloha to someone, it means, "I acknowledge you in my presence."

And when you say it back, that means that you're acknowledging me in your presence.

And so just by all of us being present here, that is love.

Because you're taking your time to be here with me.

That's what "aloha" means.

>> Puakenikeni, or perfume flower tree, is a small spreading tree or large shrub native to the tropical Pacific.

The plant has quad angular branches, blunt-tipped leaves, and fragrant, 7-centimeter tubular-shaped flowers of creamy white which become yellow with time.

The tree's name in Hawaiian means "ten cent flower," referring to the sale price for a single flower in the past.

It is grown commercially in Hawaii as a popular ornamental.

Where it is native, it is spread by birds, typically starlings, and bats, which ingest the orange pulp which contains tiny black seeds.

It is esteemed mostly for its fragrant white flowers.

The long tube blossoms are widely worn singly over the ear or strung into fragrant lei.

Ever since I learned that May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii, I've been fascinated to learn more.

In 1928, the idea was proposed in the local newspaper and scheduled for May 1st in conjunction with May Day.

The idea was so well-received that, in 1929, Lei Day was named an official Hawaii holiday.

We're here to attend the annual festival, including the lei-making contest at Queen Kapi'olani Park at the edge of Waikiki.

>> Everybody here, they're so excited to be here for lei and everything that goes with lei -- the Aloha Spirit, on how much we love one another, and we're so willing to share and be so open.

It's such a beautiful, loving feeling here.

Brought about the beauty of Hawaii's flowers and the creativity that you folks will see later when you go to the lei contest.

>> Why do you wear lei?

>> Lei is kind of like our jewelry in a way.

You know, fresh flowers and everything.

Sometimes if you went up to the forests, and you would just gather right there, sit right there, and put a -- make a lei right there and put it on, for no reason at all, and then there's reasons, right?

>> Right.

>> From having babies and birthdays and graduations, all level of graduations, for weddings.

And even when you pass away, there's certain types of lei for when the deceased has gone that will help them on their journey to their next part of life.

>> I love it.

That's wonderful.

So, this is the exciting part.

As they've made their leis, they're bringing them here to lei receiving where all of the leis are measured.

They look at them to make sure that they all have indigenous species or that they're not using something that might be an endangered species of flowers.

They're classified into the different categories, different age groups.

And so that's the final step when you're entering your lei into the contest.

There's, like, color.

Then you can have things that are wider, things that are skinnier, things that are, you know... >> The length, I think, is the only rule as far as, like, width, and how it's made is up to you.

>> Right.

Then, we have beginners, and that's pretty fascinating.

There's a lot of talent in that beginner category.

>> You can tell some of them have been doing this for a long time.

>> Do you always wear lei on Lei Day?

>> Well, it's a long-standing tradition.

I've taught it to my two girls.

We had to forage yesterday all day for our goods.

I was trying not to buy anything.

>> Right.

>> So this is all foraged.

>> So, Jamie, first of all, mahalo for my gorgeous lei.

What an honor.

>> You are welcome.

>> You are a fantastic lei maker.

And this is all indigenous.

>> Yes.

>> From Hawaii.

>> Yes, it is.

What you see here, you see families coming and having a picnic under the tree, listening to the music, watching the beautiful hula and the Lei Court.

It's just, that embraces the spirit of aloha, you know, to just what we say, "Aloha kekahi i kekahi" means to love one another.

>> So, what's your favorite part about being a judge?

>> One of my favorite things is getting together with my fellow lei judges, and we share what we are looking for.

So we're always paired up when we're assigned a color category to judge.

We are looking at workmanship.

Is the lei durable?

Is it wearable?

Does it bring a feeling?

Overall, is it really appealing to the eye and to all the senses?

>> So, Manu, you're the 2007 Lei Queen.

>> I am.

>> That's wonderful.

>> Thank you.

>> So what does Lei Day mean to you?

>> So, I think Lei Day is, like, a culmination of many things.

Our Lei Court and all the people who are involved are ambassadors of aloha, okay?

First of all.

Then, I think it's a culmination of our cultural practices, lei making.

And kind of a modernization of leis, right?

They're celebrating it here with the entire -- the general public, everyone.

>> So what was it like to be in the Lei Court and then be chosen queen?

>> So I'm not used to pageantry, but definitely maybe it is about pageantry.

>> Okay.

>> So whenever I think about people who are entering -- right?

-- you want your contestant to be in the Lei Court.

>> Okay.

>> I always think of people who are very courageous because you have to put yourself out there.

>> Right, right.

>> I also think that you're very confident and intelligent.

>> I love the reason that we can wear flowers for anything.

And so when I'm in Hawaii, I wear a lei every day because I can.

And we can't do that on the mainland.

But we should -- we should do that on the mainland, because I think that that's part of that aloha spirit and having flowers around and lei.

It's just a wonderful, wonderful way to live.

>> That's right.

>> As I was researching this adventure, I was introduced to a very kind lady, Jennifer Fiedler, who connected me to so many people we met in these two episodes in Hawaii.

I am indebted to her kindness.

Jenny assisted Meleana Estes with her book, "Aloha Lei," and is very good friends with Ed Kenney's wife, Spanky.

Hence we are again at Mud Hen Water.

Jenny has authored "The Essential Bar Book."

Naturally, I could not resist inviting her to make a cocktail for Flower Cocktail Hour, capping off our celebration of Lei Day.

>> We're going to be making a martini, a style of martini, and we're going to be -- And this is a good example of how using flowers as a garnish can change a whole drink.

Because with martinis, as you know, once the minute that you put, like, a pickled onion in it, it becomes a Gibson.

>> Okay.

>> And so what we're going to be doing is replacing that pickled onion with a pickled white ginger flower.

>> Okay.

>> First, when you're making martinis, especially in a warm-weather environment, you probably want to add ice to your glass.

>> Okay.

>> Help it cool down a little bit.

And this is -- we'll just discard this later.

That's to keep it cool while we're making the whole thing.

But 2 ounces of gin into our cocktail for each person.

So there'll be four altogether for the both of us.

So we have a local sake here, 1 ounce per serving into it.

So we'll 2 ounces in.

And this is to replace the vermouth.

And I thought it would be nice to have a little bit of a local spin on it.

And so you're looking for a sort of low-alcohol sub for that.

>> Okay.

>> Add a splash of, maraschino liqueur to it.

>> That's not very much at all.

>> It's just a little touch.

>> Splash.

>> A little splash.

And then we're going to add our ice to this.

>> Okay.

>> And we're going to get with a stir because martinis should be stirred, not shaken.

>> Not shaken.

So let's dump out our ice now because our glasses are nice and cold.

>> Think of this less as like a daytime drink, maybe.

>> Right.

>> A lot of alcohol.

>> Oh, look how pretty they are.

>> So we've got these white ginger, and so what we did first is, we salted them for three days.

You just put salt on the white ginger and let it leech out some of the liquid from the ginger, and then you pour vinegar right on top of that, and then I added some Sichuan peppercorns as a little kick to it.

And then, you know, I've been playing around with this garnish for a while, and I really do think that the best way to do it is just to let it sit in the drink.

>> Okay.

So I'm going to pull an Ed Kenney.

>> Do it.

>> Right?

>> I like to, yeah, eat them.

>> Oh, yum.

>> It's fun, right?

>> That's so good.

>> Yeah.

So we've got our pickled garnishes, and here are our drinks, and we're ready to go.

>> So, Jenny, you have been so amazing.

You were so helpful to me.

You embodied the aloha spirit.

You made me feel so welcome.

You introduced me to so many great people.

>> Good.

>> So, cheers to Lei Day.

>> Cheers to Lei Day.

>> And our friendship.

>> Ooh.

>> Oh.

>> You like that?

>> That's lovely.

>> Yeah, it's fun.

>> It's lovely.

>> It's a fun sort of lighter martini style, I think.

>> Mmm!

>> I'd like to sing Hawaii's official May Day song.

This was composed by a man who was a music teacher at Leilehua High School.

And when Hawaii instituted its very first Lei Day in 1928, he composed this song.

And it's such a catchy tune that, today, it's still our official Lei Day song.

And so this song is "May Day as Lei Day in Hawaii."

May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii Garlands of flowers everywhere All of the colors in the rainbow Maidens with blossoms in their hair Flowers that mean we should be happy Throwing aside our load of care Oh, May Day is Lei Day in Hawaii Lei Day is happy day out here [ Chuckles ] >> It has been such an experience to travel to Hawaii and learn all about Lei Day.

It has surpassed my expectations.

Everyone we have met along the way in this two-part series was so kind and so generous and giving of themselves.

It has been an amazing reflection of the culture of lei and of course the spirit of aloha.

Thank you for watching For "Life in Bloom," I'm J Schwanke.

You told me this or yourself that you're known for how long you can keep a lei.

>> You know, it's true.

I'm not a good lei maker, but I'm a great lei wearer.

[ Laughs ] >> I love that about you.

>> Me too.

And I can keep leis, I think, for quite a while, and people are amazed.

But, actually, I don't think it's really any secret.

I just put them in a box of newspaper and make sure the newspaper is wet, covered it with newspaper, and spray that.

I put in a plastic bag and put it in the bottom of my refrigerator.

>> Okay.

>> And if I have vegetables or fruits, I just throw them out because I can get them any time.

But a lei of akulikuli, I can't.

>> No, no.

>> No, no, cabbage, everything, is going now.

That's it.

>> "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" is filmed in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

>> Visit ubloom.com to access all episodes of "Life in Bloom," plus exclusive flower videos, J's newsletter and blog, find recipes, flower tips, techniques, and much more.

Be sure to follow "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" on social media.

"J Schwanke's Life in Bloom" is brought to you by the following.

>> That flower feeling.

At home.

At work.

Or anytime.

CalFlowers is a proud sponsor of "J Schwanke's Life in Bloom," where flowers and wellness go hand in hand.

>> We have fresh in all our stores, from soups and steaks and all things flour to all things flowering.

Custom fresh arrangements designed by our in-store florists at Albertsons Companies.

>> With additional support from the following.

Closed caption funding provided by fabulousflorals.com.