HONOLULU BOTANICAL GARDENS

HO'OMALUHIA BOTANICAL GARD~N

 PLEASE DO NOT PICK THE FRUITS AND

FLOWERS OR REMOVE ANY PLANTS

HO'OMALUHIA IS OPEN FROM

9:00 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Every day except Christmas and

New Year's Day

MAHALO TO:
Committee on the Preservation of Hawaiian

Language, Art and Culture as a co-sponsor of

this project.

The City and County ofHonolulu. Department of

Parks and Recreation, Division of Botanic Gardens

as a co-sponsor ofthis project.

MAHALO NUI TO:

Paul Weissich. Pam Corpus-Lahne. Mike McKenney.

Martha McDaniel Olive Vanselow. Equipment and

Maintenance Crew and the Program Sta.ff

of Ho 'omaluhia.

Text, Art and Layout by Hiko 'ula HanapL

(Art work not to be reproduced without written

permission from the artist.)

MUNICIPAL REFERENCE .LIBRARY CATALOGING-IN-PUBLICATION:

Hanapi, R. Hiko'ula .
Kahua kukui: ethnobotany of the Hawaiians. Honolulu:
Dept. of Parks and Recreation, 1996.

Ethnobotany • Hawaiians • Botany • Hawaii

QK473.H4H262 1992
 MAYOR'S MESSAGE
Ho'omaluhia is a 400-acre botanical garden j ointly devel­
oped by the City and County ofHonolulu and U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers. Located at the foot of the Koolau mountains, it
offers picnic areas, campgrounds, a 32-acre flood control res­
ervoir, (no swimming, sorry). hiking and horse trails, and a
community center with classrooms and an exhibition hall.
Garden visitors can become involved in the environment
through nature walks, hiking. camping, crafts. volunteer work
and other awareness programs.
The Honolulu Botanical Gardens ofthe Department ofParks
and Recreation manages the garden. Plants from the world's
major tropical regions are displayed in different Kahua. or
open places, forming a rich resource for learning and enjoy­
ment. All collections emphasize ecology, the study ofrelation­
ships in nature, and ethnobotany, the study of relationships
between human cultures and the plant world.
As in any botanical garden. for your own safety and comfort.
please do not pick leaves, flowers or fruits.
I encourage our residents and visitors to make good use of
this garden in windward Oahu while helping to conserve
Ho'omaluhia's plantings for the generations to come.

~~·
JEREMY HARRIS, Mayor
City and County of Honolulu
 KAHUAKUKUI

ETHN OBOTANY OF THE HAWAIIANS

HONOLULU BOTANICAL GARDEN S

HO'OMALUHIA BOTANICAL GARDEN

 ETHNOBOTANY OF THE HAWAIIANS

Ethnobotany is the study ofhowa particular ethnic group uses

plants. Early settlers in Hawai'i, arriving between 300 AD. and
500 AD.. introduced some thirty plants with Polynesian cultural
and traditional significance. These plants were used for food,
shelter, clothing, and medicine. Also, with experimentation and
observation, many species of the native flora were found to be
extremely useful.
Hawai'i's "re-discovery" by Captain James Cook in 1778
opened the way for many new plant introductions. Some ofthese
newcomers, like sugar and pineapple in the 19th century and
orchids and macadamia nut trees in the 20th century, have be­
come economic assets. Unfortunately, however, many others
have become pests, successfully competing for space with the
fragile and unique Hawaiian flora.
Man's technology, through time, has brought great changes to
traditional cultural beliefs, knowledge and practices of many
peoples throughout the world, including the Hawaiians. The
weaving ofthreads to make cloth has usurped the rhythmic beat
of hand-made bark cloth or kapa. Metal tools have replaced
stone, wood and shell tools, and even exotic liquors, such as gin,
have been used as offerings to "Pele," the volcano goddess, in­
stead ofthe tradition-steeped roots of the sacred 'awa.
TheethnobotanyoftheHawaiiansisalinktoHawai'i'saborigi­
nal culture and a remembrance ofhow life was lived in harmony
with the natural environment. Like Hawai'i's native flora, tradi­
tional values are disappearing. It is a sad commentary that both
must fmd their most successful survival in places ofrefuge.

R. HOco 'ula Hanapi

Pages
POLYNESIAN INTRODUCTIONS ............................. 1-23
MAP OF KAHUA KUKUI ..................... ...... ....... 18-19
NATIVE HAWAIIAN PLANTS .......................... 25-38

iii
 and
-­ -­ -
iv

LIST OF POLYNESIAN INTRODUCTIONS

Page
ko Saccharum officinarum 2

'ohe Schizostachyum glaucifolium 2

'awa Piper methysticum 4

'awapuhi Zingiber zerumbet 4

kalo Colocasia esculenta 6

'olena Curcuma domestica 8

'uala Ipomoea batatas 8

k1 Cordyline fruticosa 10

hau Hibiscus tiliaceus 10

mai'a Musa x paradisiaca 12

kou Cordia subcordata 14

kukui Aleurites moluccana 14

kamani Calophylum inophyllum 16

milo Thespesia populnea 16

noni Morinda citrifolia 20

'ohi'a 'ai Syzygium malaccense 20

niu Cocos nucifera 20

'ulu Artocarpus altilis 22

wauke Broussonetia papyrtfera 22

1
ko Saccharum officinarum POACEAE
Ko. or sugar cane, is a member of the Grass family. Hawai­
ians cultivated many varieties for sweetening foods and for
medicine. Stalks were carried to chew on long journeys for
curbing hunger pains. The long, slender stalks are sectioned
by leaf internodes; the long, slender leaves were used for roof­
thatching when other materials more suitable were not
available and used for inside thatching in preference to
other materials.

Hawaiian varieties
awela
This variety of ko has barrel-shaped internodes
with green and yellow stripes, taking on a rose-col­
ored hue when exposed to the sun. The leaves are
variegated with green and white streaks. Another
name for this ko is "pua'ole," describing this
variety's lack of a flower stalk.

kea
This medium-height ki5 grows in dense clumps and
was a commonly cultivated variety. It was used in
medicinal recipes as a sweetener and was believed
to have therapeutic properties. The pith of the ko
kea is white.

'ohe Schizostachyum officinarum POACEAE

'Ohe is the Hawaiian name for this species of bamboo, an­
other member of the Grass family. A Polynesian introduction,
'ohe readily became naturalized in wet forest areas and is now
common on all the major islands of Hawai'i.
'Ohe grows in clumps and reproduces by underground rhi­
zomes which spread easily, giving rise to long, s\ender, many­
sectioned, hollow stems. From the stem nodes rise many fine
branches supporting very narrow and small-pointed leaves.
The Hawaiian 'ohe ranges from 15' to 19' in height.
In old Hawai'i, the long, woody. elastic stems were used as
water containers, fishing poles, carved into stamps for deco­
rating kapa, for musical instruments and many other utensils.
Slivers of the bamboo stem were used as knives in circumci­
sion ceremonies.

2
ko

'ohe

'awa Piper methysticum PIPERACEAE

'Awa, or kava, grows best in well-watered areas like stream
banks or between mountain taro patches. The plant clings to
steep slopes where its roots become exposed. It was carefully
cultivated in ancient Hawai'i. It has many variations in size
and color ofthe roots, stems and leaves. Hawaiians chewed the
roots, then mixed the chewed pulp with water to make a mild
pain reliever. This same drink was given in sacrificial offerings
to their gods. The 'awa stalk appears swollen and has many
thick internodes with branching occurring at the nodes. Large,
heart-shaped leaves develop at the branch tips and were pre­
pared as a tea.
Hawaiian varieties
kumakua
This is a common green 'awa with smooth, me­
dium-length internodes. This 'awa can reach
heights of 15 feet.

hiwa
This 'awa is entirely black. Reaching heights up to
10-12 feet, the internodes are long and smooth.
Hiwa was favored by the ali'i and in many cases was
kapu to the common people.

kua'ea
This is a variety with long internodes with dark
spots on stems and leaves.

'awapuhi Zingiber zerumbet ZINGIBERACEAE

The 'awapuhi, a ginger, is a wild, forest herb. The seasonal,
narrow leaves and stalk rise from a fragrant rhizome (the un­
derground stem mistakenly called a 'root'). When dried and
powdered, the rhizome was used by the Hawaiians to scent
kapa. The stalks and leaves were placed in an imu to add flavor
to the pig. On a separate stalk are borne the small, yellowish
flowers in a red, oblong head; the flower head, when squeezed,
produces a fragrant juice used as a shampoo. During the six
months of the Hawaiian 'winter' season, the 'awapuhi rhi­
zomes lie dormant underground, but at the onset of the 'sum­
mer' season, the leaf stalks rise and before the end of summer,
the flowering stalks bloom.

4
5

kalo Colocasia esculenta ARACEAE

Kalo, or taro, was the staple food of the Hawaiians from re­
mote times. The cultivation of kalo needed well-irrigated ter­
races called lo'i. Not all kalo grew in water; many varieties were
land kalo. What is called the kalo 'root' is really a tuber which,
when fully grown, is harvested and cooked. Hawaiians still
make 'poi' from the cooked tuber by pounding and adding wa­
ter. From the tuber rise the leaf stems which support large,
heart-shaped leaves; the boiled leaves, called lu'au, are eaten
like spinach. There are many varieties of kalo. The differences
can be seen in size, color, texture ofthe roots, leafstems, leaves
and the flowers. The flower of the kalo is a yellowish-white tu­
bular sbeath enclosing a long spike .
According to legend, kalo was believed to be the progenitor
of the Hawaiian race.

Hawaiian varieties
'elepaio
The 'elepaio variety is easily identified by the ir­
regular and scattered white spots as well as white
and green streaks from the base to the tips of the
leaf. As the kalo matures, pink streaks appear,
making this a very beautiful kalo to look at. The
tuber is white and eaten as a table kalo.

kiimii
The kumu variety has slender, pink to red stems
supporting green leaves. The tuber and fine hair
roots are pinkish and the tuber is noted for its fla­
vor.

uahiaPele
This kalo has purplish-black leaves when young
which become green with large, black patches as
they mature. The stems are also dark and slender.
The tubers are whitish and good to eat.

6
poni
Tilis variety is similar to uahi a Pele in that the leaf stems are
dark purple. It was used for a kapa dye by actually stamping the
kapa with the cut stem, leaving a round, purplish to brown dot.
The leaves are a dark green and the tuber is good eating.

'apuwai
The cup-like curly leafofthis kalo is the most interesting fea­
ture ofthis Hawaiianvariety. The young leaves are said to be very
delicious when cooked for lu'au (likened to cooked spinach);
however, they need to be cleaned thoroughly because ofthe wa­
ter, dirt and insects which are trapped within the curly leaf. The
leaves are supported by thick, green leaf stems. The whitish tu­
ber is good to eat.

kalo

7
'olena Curcuma domestica ZINGIBERACEAE
'Olena is also known as turmeric. The aromatic rhizome (fre­
quently referred to as the 'root' but actually an underground
stem) was an excellent source ofa yellow to deep gold dye in old
Hawai'i. Other beneficial uses of the rhizome: the juice of the
crushed rhizome was used as a medicine for ear aches; the
cooked rhizome was eaten as a cure for tuberculosis. The rhi­
zome was crushed, mixed with sea water and sprinkled like
holy water for purification rituals. Rising from the rhizome are
the leaf stems supporting large, slender leaves. On a separate
stalk is found the 'olena's beautiful flower: tiny yellowish flow­
ers appearing from many-pointed, cup-like, spiraling bracts.
The flower stalk may reach a foot in height. Like the 'awapuhi
ginger, the leaves and stalks of the 'olena sprout in spring and
die in fall.

'uala Ipomoea batatas CONVULVUIACEAE

There were many varieties of 'uala in old Hawai'i. These
sprawling vines were cultivated by Hawaiians on rocky slopes
and poorly watered areas for the edible tubers they produced.
The tubers had many uses: for food; fish bait; and, along with
the vines and leaves, as food for fattening pigs.
The 'uala is another ofKamapua'a's plant forms . In Hawai­
ian legends he is a mischievous pig-god.

8
'olena
ki Cordylinefruticosa AGAVACEAE
KI, commonly known today as "tr, is found from the sea to
low, wet forests and was often planted near homes in old
Hawai'i. The woody roots store sugar; kI was known to Hawai­
ians as having "sweet roots. " The roots were cooked then
pounded and made into a poi and, after Westerners arrived,
roots were used for making a local liquor called "'okolehao."
The slender, leaf-scarred stem supports a whorl oflong, shiny.
slender, green leaves. The leaves had numerous uses: for
house thatch, food wrappers, hula skirts, sandals, cordage
and more.
The kI plant was a symbol of purity in old Hawai'i: leaves
were employed by all classes to bless, consecrate, make sacred
or kapu and to protect people, places and things from harm.

hau Hibiscus tiliaceus MALVACEAE

Hau is a common lowland tree which grows irregularly, cre­
ating large, dense thickets. The light balsa-like wood was used
for the booms of their canoes, as floaters for fish nets and for
kapu markers on beaches where fishing was temporarily pro­
hibited. The inner bark was used to make good cordage. The
large, round, heart-shaped leaves were used for mulch for land
kalo cultivation. The yellow flowers are cup-like with five pet­
als which turn red before they fall from the tree. A medicine for
easing childbirth was made from the base of the flower.

10
11

mai'a Musa x paradisiaca MUSACEAE

Mai'a, banana, was extepsively cultivated in old Hawai'i.
Many "hands" offinger-like fruits are attached along the length
of the banana stalk. As food, bananas were of lesser impor­
tance than kalo and 'uala. Women were allowed to eat only
three varieties of mai'a. Certain kinds of mai'a were offered as
sacrifices to the gods. The crushed leaves and banana stems
(trunks) were used for making steam in underground ovens
(imu) and as rollers to move canoes. The trunk fiber was used
for covering food placed in an imu. A dye could be made from
the juice of the flower buds and the nectar from the tip of the
young banana flowers was used as a source of vitamins.

Hawaiian varieties
hapai
The hapai banana's fruit grows inside the trunk,

making this variety unique and interesting. Swarm­

ing fruit flies or ants, attracted to the swollen trunk,

are a sign the fruit is ripe. The small, finger-like

fruit's skin and flesh are yellow; the fruit is edible

raw.

Other distinguishing marks: the hapai banana is of

medium height, it has green leaves and the trunk is

green with black streaks. Hapai means "to carry,"

also "pregnant," describing the swollen trunk.

iholena
The iholena banana has bunches of small, green an­

gular fruit when young, turningyellowwhenripe. The

ripe, pink flesh is edible raw or cooked.

Other distinguishing marks: the young leaves are a

light red on the underside and the trunk is green with

purple and pink streaks.

This is one of the three bananas which women in old

Hawai'i were allowed to eat.

haikea
The haikea banana's angular and slightly curved fruit
has a thick, waxy, yellow skin when ripe. The flesh is
yellow and is edible raw or cooked.
Other distinguishing marks: the leaf stem has a

12
brownish base, becoming green with a reddish wash

along its length. The trunk is green with a light red­

dish base; it is a tall plant.

The name haikea suggests that this variety was pos­

sibly used for offerings to the Hawaiian gods. Haikea

means "light green offering."

manai'ula
The manai'ula's unripe fruit have thin, dark-red
skins turning green and then yellow when fully ripe.
The flesh is orange-colored and only edible cooked.
Other distinguishing marks: the leaves are green
above, pinkish underneath and along the midrib the
trunk is light green to dark brown.
Manai'ula stalk fibers were used as string for sewing
flowers with a coconutneedle which is the meaning of
manai; 'ula refers to the color of the immature red
fruit. This was a commonly cultivated banana.

ma/'a

13
kou Cordia subcordata BORAGINACEAE
Kou trees were planted in dry, sunny areas. Kou is a quick­
growing tree with a straight trunk. The soft wood was prized in
old Hawai'i. It is long-lasting and beautifully grained with its
golden light and dark markings. The wide-spreading kou
branches give rise to smooth, round leaves which were used
for a brown dye. The pale orange, tubular flowers are borne in
clusters and have no scent but make beautiful leis. The green
to yellow fruit is small, dry, hard and round, containing one to
four seeds.

kukui Aleurites moluccana EUPHORBIACEAE

The kukui is one of the most commonly seen trees in the is­
lands today and is found from Hawai'i's forests to near her
shorelines. Kukui, meaning "light," was an important tree in
old Hawai'i. The softwood was used for parts of the canoe, the
roots for paint and kapa dye. the three- to five-lobed , silver­
green leaves for leis and as a mulch for dryland kalo and the
clusters of small, white flowers were also used for leis.
The most used part of the kukui was the mature, oily kernel
or nut and the outer parts of the fruit. Roasted nuts produced
an oil used for illumination. The nuts were strung on coconut
midribs, thus acting like a candle. When used as a condiment.
the roasted nut was crushed and mixed with salt and this was
called "inamona." The outer, fleshy husk surrounding the hard
nut shell was used for making a grey dye. Where the green fruit
is picked. a clear sap emerges which was used in old Hawai'i
for treating cold sores and thrush. The hard nut shell was used
for making a black dye and today the shells are made into seed
leis.
Kamapua'a chose the kukui as one of his plant forms in an­
cient Hawai'i and today the State of Hawai'i has chosen the
kukui for its official State tree.

14
kamani Calophyllum inophyllum CLUSIACEAE
Kamani was brought by the Polynesians to Hawai'i and was
planted in groves near their homes, providing shade. The
crooked, silver-grey trunk was a source of wood for cala­
bashes, utensils and food bowls as well as for parts of the Ha­
waiian canoes. In other Pacific islands kamani or 'tamanu·was
used for making the dug-out hulls of canoes; it is possible the
original Polynesians who came to Hawai'i sailed in canoes
made of kamani.
The kamani's leaves are shiny green ort top and yellowish­
green underneath. They are long, oblong, and blunted at the
tips. The small white cluster of flowers is fragrant. The round
fruits (about an inch in diameter) are pinkish-green when
young, eventually turning bright green at maturity. The seeds
are slightly poisonous and the oil from the seeds could be used
by Hawaiians for illumination as a substitute for kukui nut oil.

milo Thespesia populnea MALVACEAE

Milo trees were planted around Hawaiian homes for shade
in old Hawai'i. The milo has wide, low branches and a thick
trunk with a rough bark and scaly twigs. The Hawaiians found
the beautifully-grained, dark-red wood to be second only to
kou wood for making calabashes, plates and other wood uten­
sils. The leaves are heart-shaped with long, pointed tips and
are glossy. The bell-shaped flowers are yellow with deep purple
centers and fade to a light red before falling from the tree. The
hairy fruit are woody. five-celled capsules containing the seeds
which ripen in diy areas.

16
 MAKAI POLYNESIAN NATIVE HAWAIIAN
INTRODUCTIONS PLANTS
1. ko 10. mai'a 20. 'ekaha
2. 'ohe a. hapai 21. pala'a
3. 'awa b. popo'ulu 22. palapalai
4. 'awapuhi 11. kou 23. 'uki'uki
5. kalo 12. kukui 24. 'ie'ie
a. kumu 13. kamani 25. alahe'e
b. poni 14. milo 26. mamaki
c. 'apu wai 15. noni 27. hala
6. 'olena 16. 'ohi'a 'ai 28. halapepe
7. 'uala a. 'ula 29. koa
8. ki b. ke'o ke'o 30. 'ohia lehua
PROGRAM CAMPSITE 9. hau 17. niu 31. 'a'ali'i
18. 'ulu
19. wauke

I
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KAHUA.KUKUI
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8
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··············· ~e;··········· 6 25 ......·· ....····
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,•':

i I 12

l~:L. . -,., . 19
18 19
 noni Marinda citrifolia RUBIACEAE
Noni, Indian mulberry. is a small tree common to the open
lowlands. Hawaiians had many uses for noni: the root was
made into a red dye; the thick, coarse, leaf-scarred branches
and big, shiny, ovate leaves were prepared as a tonic and the
noni branch stems were used for a yellow dye. The small. white
flowers are borne on a round, warty head. When the flower
head ripens, it becomes a foul-smelling fruit containing three
seeds (kernels). The fruit was cooked and eaten in times offam­
.. ine, prepared as a medicine and used as an insecticide.

·ohi·a •ai Syzygium malaccense MYRTACEAE

'Ohi'a 'ai, mountain apple, grows uncultivated in the wet for­
est areas throughout the Hawaiian Islands. This handsome
tree was introduced to Hawai'i by the Polynesians. The wood
was used in house building, young twigs were chewed as a sore
throat remedy and the fruit was eaten raw. The pinkish, pom­
pom-like flowers resemble the flowers of the 'ohi'a lehua (the
'ohi'a 'ai ke'o ke'o - "white" - had white flowers and fruit). The
green leaves are shiny, narrow, long and have a short, pointed
tip.

niu Cocos nucifera ARECACEAE

Niu, coconut, grows to 100 feet in height and is seen along
coastlines and at lower elevations. The trunk is swollen, rising
with a curve and having a ringed, slender upper trunk used for
hula drums, small canoes and house posts in old Hawai'i. At
the top ofthe trunk is a cluster oflong fronds reaching up to 18
feet in length with many 1-3-foot-long leaflets. Niu leaves had
many uses: house thatching, baskets, fans, fish traps, the col­
lected midribs made brooms, the single midrib was used to
string roasted kukui nut kernels for lighting and as lei needles.
White female and male flowers are borne on a stalk of flower
branches. Its fruits have a thick, fibrous outer husk enclosing
a hard shell protecting the white meat and coconut water. The
Hawaiians used all parts of the fruit: the outer husk made a
strong sennit; the hard shell made bowls, utensils and musi­
cal instruments: and the meat and water were important for
food, especially on long ocean voyages.

20
'ohia'a 'ai

21

'ulu Artocarpus attilis MORACEAE

The 'ulu, breadfruit tree, was planted near homes and could
be found growing in the lowlands and wet upper valleys in old
Hawai'i. This plant was propagated from young root suckers of
a mature tree and great care was taken in its cultivation. The
soft wood from the trunk was used for making temple drums,
in parts of canoes and for surfboards. The young inner bark
was used for a coarse grade of kapa (bark cloth). The white,
sticky sap was used as a caulking for canoes, as a lime for
catching birds and as a medicine for skin diseases. The female
composite flower begins as a slender spike which develops into
a round, green fruit which was eaten baked or boiled. The male
flower is a slender spike of many tiny flowers and was used as
a source for a brown dye after falling from the tree. The leaf­
sheaths around the male flower were used as a fine sandpaper.
The large, lobed 'ulu leaves had no use in old Hawai'i but made
the tree very attractive.

wauke Broussonetia papyrifera MORACEAE

Wauke, paper mulberry, was cultivated in the lowlands and
yielded a superior bark fiber which the Hawaiians made into
kapa. It was from wauke that the Hawaiians produced the soft­
est and most durable kapa. Cordage was another use for the
fiber. The slender, woody and hairy stem supports long
branches with leaves that are round, many-lobed and have
serrated edges. The leaves are also hairy. The slimy sap was
believed to have been used as a mild laxative.

22
 wauke

23

24

 LIST OF NATIVE HAWAIIAN PLANTS

Page
'ekaha Asplenium nidus ............................. 26

hapu'u Cibotium glaucum ........................... 26

pala'a Sphenomeris chinensis ... ................ 26

palai Microlepia strigosa .......................... 26

'uki'uki Dianella sandwicensis ... ... ..... .......... 28

'ie'ie Freycinetia arborea ......................... 28

maile Alyxia oliviformis .............. .. ............. 28

'ahinahina Artemisia australis .......................... 30

'ilima Sidaspp.......................................... 30

popolo Solanum americanum ....... .............. 30

'a'ali'i Dodonaea viscosa ............................ 30

'akia Wikstroemia spp............................. 32

ma'o Gossypium tomentosum .................. 32

alahe'e Canthium odoratum ........................ 32

mamaki Pipturus albidus .......................... ... 34

hala Pandanus tectorius ......................... 34

halapepe Pleomele spp................................... 36

koa Acacia koa ....... ................. ............... 36

'ohi'a lehua Metrosideros polymorpha ................ 38

160° . 156°

Kaua'i

...
Ni'ihau
,• -------22°
O'ahu. Mofoka' i
Lana'i • ~ Maui
Map of •
Hawaiian ....._ _ _.,.____
K_a_ho_'olawe
Islands

Hawai'i

25
'ekaha Asplenium nidus ASPLENIACEAE
The birds-nest fern, known as 'ekaha in Hawai'i, is native to
the islands but is also found throughout the tropics. Many
large fronds arise from a central point, forming a large rosette.
The dark middle rib of the fronds was used in plaiting mixed
with .hala leaves to create two-color designs. In the lower for­
ests the 'ekaha can be commonly seen growing on top oflarge,
moss-covered rocks and on branches of trees.

hiipu'u Cibotium glaucum DICKSONIACEAE

The native hapu'u is a common forest tree fern. It can reach
a height of 16 feet. The trunk core, a source of starch, was
cooked as a famine food by Hawaiians. The large, ovate fronds,
reaching nine feet in length, rise from the top of the hapu'u
trunk; young curled fronds are edible. The dark stems rise
through a soft, golden down called "pulu." Pulu was used to
embalm the dead in ancient Hawai'i.

pala'ii Sphenomeris chinensis Ll.NDSAEAC.EAE

Pala'a is a native fern that grows in wet, semi-shaded lower
forests to mountain forests. The light-brown to reddish,
smooth stems, about one foot high, rise from underground
stems or rhizomes. The smooth, ovate, pointed fronds have
numerous alternating, lacy leaflets arranged on the stem. The
fresh fronds were used as lei material and, when dry, made a
brown dye in old Hawai'i.
Pala'a was one ofHi'iaka i ka polio Pele's (Pele's favorite sis­
ter) plant forms.

palai, palapalai ·Microlepia strigosa DENNSTAEDIACEAE

The native palai fern grows wild in damp mountain forests.
Today it can also be found cultivated. The green stems support
many lacy but hairy leaflets and these ovate fronds can grow to
three feet or more in length. Palai is an important lei-making
material especially for hula and is one of the plants found
adorning hula altars. ·

26
hapu'u

'ekaha

palai

pala'ii

27
'uki'uki Dianella sandwicensis UUACEAE
'Uki'uki, a native mountain lily, has long, slender, glossy
leaves. Rising from the center ofthe leaves is a stem which sup­
ports a cluster oftiny, whitish flowers. The fruits are dark blue
berries and were used by the Hawaiians as a blue dye for kapa.

'ie'ie Freycinetia arborea PANDANACEAE

This is a native climbing shrub common to Hawai'i's forests.
The green, woody stem is striped with leafscars. The long, slen­
der leaves, growing in whorls, are found rising from branch
tips. The long, pliable roots grow above ground, attaching
themselves to host trees for support. Hawaiians collected the
roots and used them for basket plaiting. A seasonal inflores­
cence develops from the center of the tuft of leaves and con­
sists of several spikes enclosed by orange, leafy bracts; these
flowers were used for decoration.
'Ie'ie was considered sacred by the Hawaiians and was one
of the important plants that adorned the altars of hula. This
was one of the plant forms of Laka, one of the goddesses of
hula.

maile Alyxia oliviformis APOCYNACEAE

The native maile vine inhabits the wet mountain forests of
Hawai'i. Hawaiians speak offive kinds: the maile lau nui, maile
lau li'i, maile kaluhea, maile pakaha and maile ha'i wale. These
vines are commonly seen climbing on 'ohi'a lehua and other
forest trees. The climbing stem's outer bark is green and turns
grey as it matures. When Hawaiians stripped the vine for leis,
a milky sap was released as well as the maile's famous fra­
grance. The shiny leaves vary according to the different kinds:
they can be button-shaped to small or large, narrow leaves
with pointed tips. The four-parted yellowish flowers are very tiny
and tubular. The olive-like fruits are black and contain one seed.
Maile is one ofthe important plants found adorning the altars of
hula and is another plant form of the hula goddess, Laka.

28
'ukl'ukl
'ah.inahina Artemisia australis ASTERACEAE
This 'ahinahina is a native, low-spreading shrub found in
the mountains up to high elevations. Its leaves have many nar­
row segments and are silver-grey underneath. The leaves were
used in preparing a medicine for asthma.

'ilima Sida spp. MALVACEAE

'Ilima is a native shrub found as a thick ground cover along
sandy shorelines or as wide-branching bushes in low dry for­
ests. The small. bright-orange, five-petaled flowers were used
in "haku" and "wili" leis in old Hawai'i and the flowers were fed
to young children for upset stomachs.
Today the 'ilima flower is strung with needle and thread,
using approximately 600 flowers per lei, and is the official lei of
the island of O'ahu.

popolo Solanum americanum SOIANACEAE

Popolo, a native herb, is a seasonal plant commonly found
wild in Hawai'i's lowlands. The smooth, green stems and ovate
leaves were a famine food in old Hawai'i. The leaves were eaten
raw or cooked and made into a tea for treating coughs and sore
throats. As a poultice, it was used for sprains and on open
wounds. The immature fruits are green, turning purplish­
black when ripe. A green dye was obtained from the fruits and
leaves.

'a'ali'i Dodonaea viscosa SAPINDACEAE

This native shrub is found growing in the wild at elevations
of 1,000 to 8,000 feet. The hard wood was used for making dig­
ging sticks and house posts.The narrow. spatulate leaves have
eitherblunted or pointed tips. The sticky tips were used to treat
skin ailments. The green-to-red fruit capsules, along with the
leaves, were, in old Hawai'i and still today. used for lei making.
Several tiny black seeds are found in each dried, papery fruit
capsule.

30
'akia Wikstroemia spp. THYMELAECEAE
There are many native 'akia; one lowland species is a low­
branching ground cover with round, button-shaped leaves
which contrast with forest species which have slender, erect,
many-branched stems with leaves that are long or short with
pointed tips. All species have clusters of tiny, yellow, tubular
flowers and small, ovoid, yellow-to-red fruits which cluster at
the branch tips.
Hawaiians prepared a "fish poison" from one 'akia species
(W. oahuensis) by pounding the roots, bark and leaves to re­
lease a chemical which temporarily stunned fish when placed
in ocean tide pools. Only desired fish were gathered, the others
would be able to swim away after the 'akia's stupefying effects
wore off. No part of the 'akia is poisonous to mammals. The
bright fruits may be strung into leis.

ma'o Gossypium tomentosum MALVACEAE

This native shrub is Hawaiian cotton and grows in hot, dry
areas. It is a wide-branching bush with a covering of short,
white hairs. The three- to five-lobed leaves were used to make
a green dye. The seeds are surrounded with short, brownish,
cotton fibers.

alahe'e Canthium odoratum RVBIACEAE

This is a native hardwood tree growing in Hawai'i's drier re­
gions. The hard wood was used by Hawaiians to make digging
sticks called 'o'o. The leaves are oblong and shiny and were
used to make a black stain. The fragrant white flowers bloom
during the summer and are still prized for making leis.

32
ma'o

alahe'e

33

miimaki Pipturus albidus VRTICACEAE

Mamaki is a native shrub commonly found in Hawaiian for­
ests. The inner bark of the slender, smooth stems and
branches was used for a lesser grade of bark cloth in old
Hawai'i. The ovate leaves, light green on top and whitish un­
derneath with three veins originating at base and radiating
outward, have serrated edges. One variety has bright red veins.
The leaves make a good-tasting tea. Male and female flowers
may occur on separate plants; the female flower is fuzzy. The
small, white, waxy fruits are berri~s and contain many seeds.
The berries were used as a poultice for sores and wounds and
eaten for their mild laxative effect.

hala Pandanus tectorius PANDANACEAE

The native hala tree is found in groves in lower forest areas
and along Hawai'i's shorelines. Prop roots support a central
trunk and many low branches. Hawaiians used the long, slen­
der leaves for house thatching and for plaiting mats and bas­
kets. The leaves rise in a whorl at the branch tips and have tiny
spines along their edges. The fruit (female flower) is fragrant
when ripe and the individual seeds (keys) were used as a fam­
ine food, for leis and. when dry, as paint brushes. Hala leis
were not given to wish someone well but were used only to sig­
nify the passing of an ordeal, sin or at a funeral. The male
flower, hinano, is a spike enclosed in leafbracts; its pollen was
believed to be an aphrodisiac. Today the leaves are still used
for plaiting and the colorful fruits for leis.
Hala was one of the plant forms for the mischievous demi­
god Kamapua'a.

34
hala pepe Pleomele spp. AGAVACEAE
Hala pepe is a native plant growing in mountain forests and
along steep cliffs. It is a member of the Lily family. The long,
thin trunk and branches have clusters of long. smooth, nar­
row leaves at their tips. There are many tiny flowers making a
drooping inflorescence; fruit clusters are yellow.
Hala pepe is one ofthe five important plants found adorning
the altar of hula. It is the plant form of the sorcery goddess
Kapo'ula kina'u, who is one of the patron deities of hula.

koa Acaciakoa FABACEAE

Koa is the largest of native forest trees. The beautiful red- to
gold-grained wood was preferred for making canoes and surf­
boards. Today, furniture, musical instruments and bowls are
made from koa. The true leaves of the koa have many small
leaflets evenly divided on a main stem. As the tree matures,
sickle-shaped leaf"stems" perform the same function as leaves
and cover the tree. The clusters of small, yellow flowers look
like puffballs and later develop into seed pods. In old Hawai'i,
koa symbolized strength and courage and young trees were
sometimes placed near the hula altar to inspire the dancers.

36
 hslapepe

koa

37

'ohi'a lehua Metrosideros polymorpha MYRTACEAE

The 'ohi'a lehua is one of the predominant trees of the Ha­
waiian forest. In the Hawaiian Islands it has adapted to many
different kinds ofhabitats such as bogs where it grows to more
or less a foot in height. in wet mountain forests where it can
reach a hundred feet in height with an extremely hard wood,
and near the ocean where its leaves have developed a resis­
tance to the salt air.
The predominant color of the porn porn-like flowers is red
with varying shades of salmon to orange, as well as the less
common yellow and white flowers: the flowers, woven into leis
mixed with leaves of 'ohi'a and other plant materials, were al­
ways included in legends of beautiful women like the volcano
goddess Pele and her sisters, or the classic romance of "Lai'e i
ka Wai" and many others. In fact, the 'ohi'a lehua in full bloom
was a symbol to the ancient Hawaiians of a young woman at
maturity.
The green leaves of the 'ohi'a vary in shape, size and texture
but generally are small and oval. They were used to make a tea.
The hard 'ohi'a wood was used for temple images, house
building, spears, mallets, and in canoe construction.
The 'ohi'a lehua was an important symbol of hula and was
one ofthe five plants found to adorn the hula altar ofLaka (one
of the patron deities of hula) .

38
'ohi'a lehua

39

 LIST OF PLANTS:

FERNS:
FAMILY GENUS SPECIES PAGE
ASPLENIACEAE Asplenium nidus 26
DENNSTAEDIACEAE Microlepia strigosa 26
DICKSONIACEAE Cibotium glaucum 26
LINDSAEACEAE Sphenomeris chinensis 26
FLOWERING PLANTS:
FAMILY GENUS SPECIES PAGE
AGAVACE'AE Cordyline fruticosa 10
AGAVACEAE Pleomele spp. 36
APOCYNACEAE Alyxia oliviformis 28
ARACEAE Colocasia esculenta 6
ARECACEAE Cocos nucifera 20
ASTERACEAE Artemisia australis 30
BORAGINACEAE Cordia subcordata 14
CLUSIACEAE Calophyllum inophyllum 16
CONVULVULACEAE lpomoea batatas 8
EUPHORBIACEAE Aleurites moluccana 14
FABACEAE Acacia koa 36
LILIACEAE Dianella sandwicensis 28
MALVACEAE Gossypium tomentosum 32
MALVACEAE Hibiscus tiliaceus 10
MALVACEAE Sida spp. 30
MALVACEAE Thespesia populnea 16
MORACEAE Artocarpus altilis 22
MORACEAE Broussonetia papyrifera 22
MUSACEAE Musa x paradisiaca 12
MYRTACEAE Metrosideros polymorpha 38
MYRTACEAE Syzygium malaccense 20
PANDANACEAE Freycinetia arborea 28
PANDANACEAE Pandanus tectorius 34
PIPERACEAE Piper methysticum 4
POACEAE Saccharum officinarium 2
POACEAE Schizostachyum glaucifolium 2
RUBIACEAE Canthium odorata 32
RUBIACEAE Morinda citrifolia 20
SAPINDACEAE Dodonaea viscosa 30
SOLANACEAE Solanum americanum 30
THYMELAEACEAE Wikstroemia spp. 32
URTICACEAE Pipturus albidus 34
ZINGIBERACEAE Curcuma domestica 8
ZINGIBERACEAE Zingiber zerumbet 4

40
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Beckwith, Martha B. (1972). Hawaiian Mythology.

Honolulu: Univ. ofHawai'i Press.

Gutmanis, June (1976-79). Kanuna La'au Lapa'au.

Honolulu: Island Heritage Pub. Co.

Karnak.au, Samuel M. (1976). Na Hana aka Po'e

Kahiko. Honolulu: B.P.Bishop Museum Press.

Krauss, Beatrice H. (197?) . Ethnobotany of

Hawai'i. Compilation for Univ. ofHi.(Manoa)
Dept. of Botany.

Neal, Marie C. (1965). In Gardens ofHawai'i.

Honolulu: B.P. Bishop Museum Press.

Puku'i, Mary K. and Elbert, Samuel (1971).

Hawaiian Dictionary; 1st ed. Honolulu: Univ.
ofHawai'i Press. Revised and Enlarged in 1986.

Hiroa. Te Rangi (1957) . Arts and Crafts ofHawai'I.

Honolulu: B.P. Bishop Museum Press.

FURTHER REFERENCES

Abbott, Isabella Aiona (1992). Lli.'au Hawai'I-Traditional Hawaiian

Uses of Plants.
Honolulu: Bishop Museum Press.

Wagner, Warren L., Herbst, Derral R. and Sohmer, S.H. (1990).

Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawai'i,

Volumes 1 & 2 .

Honolulu: Bishop Museum Press.

Department ofParks and Recreatton

CUy and County ofHonolulu