Important Hawaiian Use Plants

Coconut Tree * Polynesian Introduced Scientific Name: Cocos nucifer Hawaiian Name Niu This is probably both the most recognizable palm tree and Hawaiian plant in the world. The Hawaiians used this plants’ fronds extensively for weaving. The fruit can also be eaten, in green form as a jello, or brown form as a tough meat. Incredibly, the fruit is edible for up 5 months while on a tree. Unlike in many TV shows and movies, coconuts actually have a fibrous husk surrounding the fruit that must be removed before cracking.

Ti *Polynesian Introduced Scientific Name: Cordyline terminalis Hawaiian Names: Ki, Ti This plant was another introduction by the Hawaiians to Hawaii. They used the Ti plant had a wide range of uses, ranging from, wrappings for food, thatching, medical purposes, plates, and clothes. The plant also was considered sacred to the god of agriculture ( Lono) and the godess of hula (Laka). An incredible demonstration of the use as a rain coat can be found here.

Taro * Polynesian Introduced Scientific Name: Colocasia esculent Hawaiian Name: Kalo This plant represented the God Kane who the Hawaiians considered the creator of all life. The tuber provided that life for the Hawaiians, because of it’s use as by far the common staple of Hawaiian diet. Taro is purple potato like starch that was often ground into poi(akin to mashed potatoes). The Hawaiians went to great lengths to cultivate this plant creating aqueducts and massive rock wall terraces using 100’s of thousands of rocks.

Hau * Polynesian Introduced Scientific Name: Hibiscus tiliaceus Hawaiian Name Hau The Hau plants normally looks like a twisting mess of curved branches and 5 pedaled flowers. These curved branches were often used in creating outriggers for canoes due to it’s shape and light weight. The plant was and still is very common and it’s bark was the primary plant used by the Hawaiians for cordage. However, the wood proved even more valuable to the Hawaiians as they would vigorously rub a smaller piece in a grove of a larger Hau branch to create fire. ( Photo by Forest and Starr)

Hala * polynesian introduced Scientific Name: Pandanus tectorius Hawaiian Name: Hala, Pu Hala This plant is easily recognizable through its droopy leaves and the pineapple like appearance of it’s fruit. The mangrove like bottoms allows the hala to filter out small amounts of salt water and survive well on the coastline. The Hawaiians main use of this plant was it’s leaves. The leaves were used to weave, mats hats, plates, blankets, bags but most importantly they wove the sails of their voyaging canoes that carried them the thousands of miles to and from Hawaii.

Paper Mulberry * Polynesian Introduced Scientific Name: Broussonetia papyrifer Hawaiian Name: Wauke The Hawaiians did not have cotton or mammal hair to weave cloth so instead they relied or bark cloth(Kapa). The Wauke was the primary plant he Hawaiians used for making such cloth. They used Kapa and the Wauke for bedding, ceremonies, clothes, and wrapping the bones of their ancestors. The Hawaiians cut the side branches off until it grew to about 4 feet high. At that point they cut it down and stripped off it’s bark. The bark was then soaked it water, before being pounded into Kapa cloth.

Candle Nut Tree *Polynesian introduced Scientific Name: Pittosporum hosmeri Hawaiian Name Aleurites moluccana This common plant has distinct light colored leaves that help this plant stand out in a forest. Its Hawaiian translation is ” light” because it’s seeds were extensively burned due to its high oil content. The spreading crushed nuts in small ponds helped increase visibility when spear fishing. The nut was roasted and eaten as a dish called inamona, although eaten raw it is poisonous. The oil from the nuts treated surfboards with create a protective coating similar to a stain.

Olona Scientific name Touchardia latifolia Hawaiian Name Olona The Hawaiians specifically cultivated this plant for its cordage. It has now been found to be one of the strongest natural fibers in the world. The Hawaiians stripped and soaked the inner bark into cordage for use in fishing lines, attaching adz heads to handles, weapons and repair.