Maile

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Maile (pronounced MY-lay or MY-lee) Alyxia oliviformis ("chain resembling olive") is a flowering vine in the family Apocynaceae that can be found in native forests of the Hawaiian Islands. Maile grows on a vine with green oval pointed leaves. The leaves have a strong vanilla-like fragrance. Maile grows in cool moist climates with indirect sunlight.

It is very popular to use maile for leis. Maile leis are often made open-ended, and shaped like a horseshoe. Hawaiian natives believe maile is sacred. Hula dancers commonly use maile leis to honor Laka, the Goddess of Hula.