`Ëkaha

‘Ëkaha
Asplenium nidus
Indigenous
Naturally found on trees or valley floors in mesic to wet forests on all the main Hawaiian
Islands, except Kaho‘olawe.
Nä Inoa ‘Ë A‘e: ‘Äkaha, ‘Ëkaha Kuahiwi, ‘Ëkahakaha, Bird’s Nest Fern
Nä Hi‘ohi‘ona:
• A large fern with long, light-green fronds which radiate out from a dark, hairy
center.
Ka Ho‘ohana ‘Ana:
• The dark midrib can be woven into lau hala mats for purposes of design, contrast
and color.
• The various parts of the ‘Ëkaha were combined with other plants to remedy ‘ea
(thrush), pä‘ao‘ao (physical weakness) and body sores.
‘Ike Pili:
• “The ‘Ëkaha, hailed by Hawaiians as Maui’s paddle,” was used by some to adorn
the hula altar.” (Unwritten Literature of Hawai‘i, p. 19)
• ‘Ëkaha Kuahiwi was often ceremonially placed over the stump of a felled tree
before it was carved to become a canoe.
Ma Kawaiaha‘o: Mäla
22
Hähä
Cyanea dunbarii
Endemic
Naturally found on Molokaÿi.
Nä Inoa ÿË Aÿe: Hähä lua
Nä Hiÿohiÿona:
• A branched shrub 5 - 7 ft. tall.
• The leaves are oval to broadly elliptic and are 4 - 10 in. in length and 2 - 5 in. in
width, with irregularly lobed or cleft margins.
• The flowers bloom in groupings of 6 - 8 on a stalk.
Ma Keanakamanö: Zone 3
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Hala
Pandanus tectorius
Indigenous
‘Ähui hala of the female tree
Hïnano of the male tree
This indigenous tree is found on all the main Hawaiian Islands except Kaho‘olawe.
Nä Hi‘ohi‘ona:
• A medium sized tree up to 30+ ft. with long spiny leaves and many aerial and prop
roots (uleule hala or ‘awe‘awe).
• The male tree (hala hïnano) has blossoms called hïnano. The female tree has fruit
clusters (‘ähui hala) made up of individual “keys” called hala.
• There are four types of Hala based on fruit color: common hala with yellow fruit,
hala ‘ula with orange fruit, hala lihilihi ‘ula with red fruits that fade to yellow below,
and hala pia with small, pale-yellow fruit.
Ka Ho‘ohana ‘Ana:
• The leaves are used for weaving mats and sails and were also a primary thatching
material.
• Lei were often made from the hua or keys of the fruit and when dried can also be
used for dye brushes.
• The uleule hala, aerial roots, can be used for cordage and needles for lei making.
• The root is also used medicinally as a good source of vitamin B.
• The hïnano is used for perfuming tapa cloth and was placed between sleeping mats
for that effect.
‘Ike Pili: Hala lei are given to recognize new beginnings and/or moments of completion.
The Hala lei symbolically honors the passing or completion of a momentous occasion
such as a graduation (completion of hard work), funeral (completion of the life cycle),
birthdays (passing of another year). lit. hala: to pass
The hïnano was often associated with romance.
‘Ölelo No‘eau:
Pala ka hala; Momona ka hä‘uke‘uke.
When the hala is ripe; the sea urchins are fat.
Ma Keanakamanö: Zone 9
Ma Kawaiaha‘o: Mäla
24
Hala-pepe
Pleomele hawaiiensis
Endemic
Hawaiÿi has six species of Hala-pepe endemic to specific islands. This variety is naturally
found only in the dry-mesic forests of Hawai‘i Island.
Kinolau: Laka
Nä Hi‘ohi‘ona:
• A tree 10 - 15 ft. tall that somewhat resembles a money tree.
• When it flowers it sends out a panicle with pale-yellow flowers that develop into
orange fruit resembling a large bunch of orange grapes.
Ka Ho‘ohana ‘Ana:
• Hale-pepe branches and blossoms were used for the hälau hula altar. This was one
of a number of plants associated with the altar dedicated to Laka, the goddess of
hula. (Native Planters, p. 241)
Ma Keanakamanö: Zone 6
Ma Kawaiaha‘o: Mäla
25
Hame
Antidesma pulvinatum
Endemic
Naturally found in the dry to mesic forests of Oÿahu, Molokaÿi, Maui, and Hawaiÿi.
Nä Inoa ÿË Aÿe: Haÿä, Haÿämaile, Hamehame, Mehame, Mehamehame
Nä Hiÿohiÿona:
• These trees grow in the range of 6 - 25 ft. tall.
• Its glossy foliage, when young, is maroon and turns dark-green as it matures.
• The leaves are elliptical with clean margins and a sharp apex.
• Flowers develop on panicles which turn into small reddish-purple grape-like fruit.
Ka Hoÿohana ÿAna:
• The hardwood of hame is used to make anvils for beating kapa or for preparing
olonä to make cordage.
• The dark reddish-purple berries are used to make a red dye for kapa.
• Chewed leaves can be used to treat nausea.
Ma Keanakamanö: Zone 4
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Hao
Rauvolfia sandwicensis
Endemic
Naturally found in mesic forests, occasionally in lower dry forests, on all of the main
Hawaiian Islands except Kahoÿolawe.
Nä Hiÿohiÿona:
• Generally grows in the 5 - 15 ft. range but can reach heights up to 30 ft.
• It has elliptical leaves that form whorls of up to 7 leaves per node.
• Each leaf has smooth margins, is bright green with a yellow midrib and is about 5
in. in length.
• The flowers are very tiny, white and emerge on clusters.
• Once pollinated, the flowers will form small fruit about ¾ in. across which
eventually turns dark-purple/black when ripe.
• The color of the bark is light tan.
• The inner wood is very hard.
• Hao bleeds a milky sap when either leaves or stems are broken.
Ma Keanakamanö: Zone 4
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Häpuÿu
Cibotium glaucum
Endemic
Naturally found on all the main Hawaiian Islands.
Nä Hi‘ohi‘ona:
• Tree ferns with large fronds that have bluish-green undersides.
• At the base of the fronds and on new frond fiddle heads are light brown stems
rising from a mass of pulu (silky, golden, soft wool).
• Young shoots are called pepe‘e.
Ka Ho‘ohana ‘Ana:
• In times of famine, the starch within the trunk was cooked and eaten.
• The pulu was used as a dressing, to embalm the dead.
• Later the pulu was used to stuff mattresses and pillows and the trunk core
used for starch in laundry.
• Young stems can be used to make hats.
• The pith of the Häpu‘u trunk is used with a combination of other plants to make
medicines that return the loss of appetite, relieve certain types of chest pains and
sore muscles, and as a blood purifier.
He Nane – A Riddle
He i‘a ko ke kai
He lä‘au ko uka.
He Häpu‘u
He Häpu‘u
A fish in the sea,
A tree in the upland.
A Grouper (fish)
A tree fern
Ma Keanakamanö: Zone 3
Ma Kawaiaha‘o: Kïhäpai
28
Hau Hele ‘Ula
Kokia drynarioides
Endemic
Naturally found only in the upper dry forest and ÿaÿä lava fields of North Kona on the
island of Hawaiÿi.
Na Hiÿohiÿona:
• A hibiscus tree with large maple-like leaves and salmon colored flowers.
• The flower petals are uniquely shaped with ruffles that bend backwards onto each
other.
• Reaching heights of up to 25 ft. plus, this plant can be quite tall for a hibiscus.
Ka Hoÿohana ÿAna:
• Dye made from this plant was used to color fishnets. Pink dye is made from the
flowers and a darker red dye was derived from the bark.
Ma Keanakamanö: Zone 3
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Hinahina
Heliotropium anomalum var. argenteum
Indigenous
Naturally found on the shoreline of all the main Hawaiian Islands.
Nä Inoa ÿË Aÿe: Hinahina Kü Kahakai, Nohonohopuÿuone, Pöhinahina
(Not to be confused with Spanish Moss or Pele’s Hair both commonly called Hinahina.)
Na Hiÿohiÿona:
• A prostrate ground cover with fragrant flower clusters.
• Each flower cluster is comprised of up to 15 small white flowers that protrude up
above a tight, silvery rosette of leaves.
Ka Hoÿohana ÿAna:
• The flowers and leaf rosettes can be used for lei making.
• A mild tasting tea can be made by steeping the leaves and flowers in boiling water.
Ma Keanakamanö: Zone 6
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Höÿawa
Pittosporum hosmeri
Endemic
Naturally found on the leeward side of Hawaiÿi Island from Kohala to Kaÿü in mesic forests.
Nä Inoa ÿË Aÿe: Häÿawa, ÿAÿawa, ÿAÿawa Hua Kukui
Nä Hiÿohiÿona:
• Small trees 20 - 25 ft. tall with long tear-drop shaped leaves.
• The young leaves, as well as the underside of the more mature leaves, are usually
covered with minute, golden-brown hairs.
• Its flowers emerge in clusters protruding out of the stems.
• Once pollinated, they develop into large, bright-orange, nut-shaped capsules with
reddish-black seeds that are almost cubicle in form and about 3 in. long and 1 - 2
in. wide.
ÿIke Pili:
• The ÿAlalä, the nearly extinct Hawaiian crow, feed on Hö‘awa fruit.
Ma Keanakamanö: Zone 4
31
Hunakai
Ipomea imperati
Indigenous
Naturally found on beaches and sand dunes on Niÿihau, Kauaÿi, Oÿahu, Molokaÿi and Maui.
Nä Hiÿohiÿona:
• Prostrate growing vines that creep along the ground often rooting at the leaf nodes.
• The leaves are somewhat succulent, roundish to highly lobed and grow 1 - 3 in.
long.
• A member of the morning glory family it produces white flowers.
ÿIke Pili:
• In the Kumulipo, the Hawaiian creation chant, many things are created in a
dualistic manner meaning that when one thing is created in the ocean, there is
often a counter part created on land or in the air and vice versa. The sky
counterpart for the beach Hunakai is a small white and grey migratory bird, also
called Hunakai. This bird forages near the same areas that this plant is found.
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ÿIhi
Portulaca lutea
Indigenous
Naturally found on the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, Oÿahu, Molokaÿi, Maui, Länaÿi,
and Hawaiÿi on coastal and strand habitats such as lava, raised coral reef, sand and soil.
Nä Hiÿohiÿona:
• Prostrate herbs with thick stems and tightly arranged, alternating leaves which are
rounded and very succulent.
• On the top of the stems, a small cup of leaves holds a cluster of yellow flowers 1 ½
in. in diameter.
Ka Hoÿohana ÿAna:
• ÿIhi mixed with ÿÄwikiwiki is known to treat itchy skin or other skin disorders.
Ma Keanakamanö: Zone 3
33
ÿIhi
Portulaca molokiniensis
Endemic
These plants are fairly rare and are restricted to coastal rocky areas with 3 known natural
populations: Molokini, Pu‘ukoaÿe islet and Kaho‘olawe.
Nä Hi‘ohi‘ona:
• These rare succulents are short and stocky.
• They have thick leaves that usually cluster towards the top of an even thicker stem.
• It usually branches up from the ground and looks like tiny cactus.
• The flowers are bright-yellow and clustered in a cup of leaves which rise up from a
long tube above the plant.
Ma Keanakamanö: Zone 4
Ma Kawaiaha‘o: Kïhäpai
34
‘Ihi
Portulaca villosa
Endemic
Naturally found in dry rocky coast sites of all the main Hawaiian Islands except Niÿihau
and Kauaÿi but reported on Kaÿula and Nïhoa
Nä Hiÿohiÿona:
• A succulent, prostrate herb up to 8 in. tall with narrow, pale-green leaves that grow
up to 1 in. long.
• The flowers are usually pink, white, or white with pink margins, about 1 in. in
diameter in clusters of 2 - 5 at the top of the leaves.
• Once pollinated, small seed capsules develop with numerous round, tiny,
brownish-black seeds.
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Iliau
Wilkesia gymnoxiphium
Endemic
Naturally found only on Kaua‘i in the dry-mesic forests of Waimea Canyon.
Nä Inoa ‘Ë A‘e: Kaua‘i Greensword
Nä Hi‘ohi‘ona:
• This rare plant is a rosette shrub, normally unbranched, that grows 3 - 10 ft. tall
with long, narrow leaves.
• It takes at least 7 years for this plant to flower and, just like the Silversword (a close
relative), once the plant flowers it dies.
• The cream-colored flowers are slightly fragrant and are arranged in heads of
40 - 350 on a stalk that protrudes above the whole plant.
Ma Keanakamanö: Zone 3
Ma Kawaiaha‘o: Mäla
36
ÿIlieÿe
Plumbago zeylanica
Indigenous
Naturally found on all the main Hawaiian Islands from the lowland dry forest to the coast.
Nä Inoa ÿË Aÿe: Hilieÿe, ÿIliheÿe, Lauhihi (Ni‘ihau)
Nä Hiÿohiÿona:
• A low sprawling shrub with long stems, light-green foliage and clusters of bluishwhite flowers that emerge at the stem tips.
• Once the flowers are pollinated, small, slightly-sticky cigar shaped fruits will begin
to develop.
Ka Hoÿohana ÿAna:
• The sap of ÿIlieÿe can be used to blacken tattoos.
• The roots, stems and seeds can be used for medicine, but is poisonous in large
amounts.
• Combined with other ingredients it can be used to treat sores and swelling.
Ma Keanakamanö: Zone 4
37
ÿIlima Papa
Sida fallax
Indigenous
Naturally found on all the main Hawaiian Islands near the ocean in the strand vegetation
zone.
Nä Inoa ‘Ë A‘e: ‘Ilima kü kula (‘Ilima standing on plains), ‘Ilima Kolo (crawling ‘Ilima;
Moloka‘i)
Nä Hi‘ohi‘ona:
• This wild form of ‘Ilima has pale-green leaves, woody stems and bright-orange
flowers.
Ka Ho‘ohana ‘Ana:
• ‘Ilima is the island flower of O‘ahu.
• ‘Ilima bushes lashed in bundles were used to encircle mounds for taro-planting in
swamp land.
• Wild ‘Ilima can be used to make lei ‘Ilima though less commonly than the
domesticated variety.
• Make-shift baskets were made from the pliable stems of the wild ‘Ilima.
• Medicinally the ‘Ilima was called kanaka maikaÿi (good man).
• The flowers can be used as a mild laxative for babies by squeezing out the juice.
• The flower is also used as a cathartic.
• Traditionally, it was commonly used to treat asthma; the leaf or the root bark could
be used usually in the form of a tonic.
• You can add some flowers to your tossed salad to add nice color by pinching them
out of their calyxes (the small green cup that the petals emerge from).
‘Ike Pili: Wild ‘Ilima plants grow flat and close to the ground. This form was said to be a
kinolau (body) of Käne‘äpua, healer and god of taro planters. It was also identified with
Laka, patroness of hula, but not used for the altar of the hälau hula. (Native Planters, p.
227)
Ma Keanakamanö: Zone 2
Ma Kawaiaha‘o: Mäla
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