(AP) — Flower garlands are synonymous with Hawaii. But the purple orchid lei that adorn the necks of tourists often aren’t made in the Aloha State. Instead, they are imported from Thailand. Some Hawaii lawmakers think the state should be doing more to help the producers of lei made with locally grown, fragrant flowers. Ideas include labeling requirements that would identify Hawaii-made lei and a prohibition on state agencies buying imported ones. Some lei-sellers worry that the restrictions could boost prices to the point that Hawaii residents can’t afford the lei that are so important to the state’s culture.
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