Meet Hawaiian Lei Artist Pamakane Pico
of Ocean Dreamer Florals

For our spring photoshoot in Hawaii, we had the honor of collaborating with Pamakane Pico, the artist behind Ocean Dreamer Florals. Raised on Molokaʻi and guided by generations of tradition, Pamakane handcrafts her leis with intention, weaving together ancestry and artistry in every bloom. Her work is more than adornment—it is a living expression of aloha. To learn more about her art and life in Hawaii, we sat down to talk lei making, flowers, and tradition.

Tell us more about yourself. How did you get your start in lei making?

I come from Molokaʻi, and lei making was passed down to me through my mother and my family. It was taught through observation, patience, and respect. On Molokaʻi, you learn early that everything is connected—the land, the people, and the work of your hands. Lei making was never about creating something pretty. It was about carrying forward the knowledge of our kupuna (elders) and honoring them through practice.

The leis you make are so uniquely beautiful. What makes them special to you?

What makes my leis special is that they are rooted in place and intention. I carry Molokaʻi with me in every piece I create. I channel my Polynesian side. I have Hawaiian, Samoan, Tahitian, and Fijian in my bloodline. Each lei honors our kupuna who came before us and the ʻike (knowledge) they entrusted to us. The lei becomes a living connection between past, present, and future. I choose materials with meaning, locally grown flowers that reflect season and moʻolelo (cultural stories). I love growing and collecting exotic hibiscus. I use them in my designs, which have become world renowned because they were never used in a lei before in those exotic colors.

What do you love about designing, and creating, with plants and flowers?

Designing with plants allows me to stay connected to the ʻāinamy kupuna (land of my ancestors). Flowers teach us humility. They remind us that we do not control nature, we work in relationship with it. Creating this way is my kuleana (responsibility and privilege). It is how I show respect to the land and gratitude to the ancestors who cared for it before me. Every piece is an offering.

Hawaii is known for lush, natural beauty, but where do you find such magnificent flowers?

Many of the flowers come from our farm, local farmers, backyard gardens, and community connections. Some come from places that feel quiet and untouched, places that remind me of home on Molokaʻi. Sourcing flowers is not about taking. It’s about listening to the land, knowing when it is right, and always giving back to the ʻāina (land) in return.

Your flowers are beautiful, but also especially delicate. Did that present any challenges during our photoshoot?

The flowers were delicate, but that mirrors the way we are taught to work in Hawaiian culture: with care, patience, and respect. Working gently is part of honoring the plants and the land they come from. The process felt aligned with how I was raised and how I create. It becomes natural for me to work with the delicateness of nature.

Any memorable moments you can share from our collaboration?

The collaboration felt pono (balanced, right). There was respect for culture, process, and intention. I felt the presence of my kupuna guiding the work, reminding me why I create and who I create for. It felt like an exchange rooted in trust, gratitude, and aloha.

What does Living the Island Life mean to you?

Living the island life means living with kuleana. It means understanding that the land provides for us, and in return, we care for it. It’s about slowing down, staying grounded, and honoring ohana (family), culture, and community. For me, it means carrying the values of my ancestors wherever I go and living in a way that honors those who came before us.

Thank you, Pamakane, for sharing your time and art with us. One final question: For someone visiting Hawaii, how can they see your amazing creations in person?

My work is shared through meaningful moments, cultural gatherings, weddings, and collaborations. I believe lei are meant to be experienced, felt, and received with intention. When someone wears one of my leis, they are not just wearing flowers. They are receiving a story, a blessing, and a connection to the ʻāina.

If you would like to see more stunning creations by Pamakane, check out her online look book or follow her on Instagram @OceanDreamerr.