Cindy’s Lei Shoppe has been a cornerstone of Hawaii’s lei-making tradition for over 65 years, embodying entrepreneurial spirit and a dedication to quality. General Manager Karen Lau Lee and family joined Living808 to share about their partnership with Hawaii National Bank and the inspiring story of her family’s business. The lei shop began in the 1940s when Karen’s grandmother and aunts crafted lei and corsages behind her grandfather’s barber shop on Maunakea Street. By 1959, Cindy Lau, Karen’s mother, took over, growing the business with resilience and a heartfelt commitment to customers.
“Our mother built this shop on her hard work and genuine care for people,” Karen said. “She would show up daily, always smiling, creating a legacy we’re proud to carry on.” Today, Cindy’s Lei Shoppe continues to thrive, with Karen managing operations and her siblings, Alex and Nicholas, contributing to the shop’s success.
Overcoming Challenges in Lei-Making
Crafting lei is an art that requires precision and patience. Manager Alex Lau highlighted challenges such as rising costs for materials, labor, and packaging, along with the declining interest in floral and agricultural careers among younger generations. Despite these hurdles, Cindy’s Lei Shoppe has upheld its high standards, offering lei in various traditional and contemporary styles, from kui (single-strand) and poepoe (double-strand) to lei po‘o (head lei).