“Pua” means flower in Hawaiian and “Pua Melia” refers to the iconic blossom of the Plumeria tree. Plumeria is a flower all locals know as being ever present, with trees in almost every backyard and fallen flowers dotting neighborhood sidewalks. Plumeria are also the go-to standard for the ubiquitous lei that are exchanged for every occasion: departure, arrival, celebration, gratitude, or maybe just plain old love. Every child and adult has a memory of stringing the flowers together with their long lei needles, the delicate scent of plumeria wading through the air.