The Hawaiian Islands are considered the most isolated in the world as they lie at least 2,000 miles from any continent, and 1,000 miles from any Pacific atoll. The native plants of Hawaiʻi developed over millions of years through chance colonization. It is estimated on average only once every 98,000 years a species of plant […]
Scaevola taccada Native Indigenous A tough and hardy shrub that grows near the coast, it’s a great help to prevent erosion. Crushed leaves, roots, and round white buds are used in medicine and to defog snorkel masks. Tiny flowers ranging in color from white and purple to yellow, appear to be “half flower” because all […]
Ipomoea batatas Polynesian Introduction A very valuable crop for Hawaiians: stem tips and tubers are eaten and other parts are used medicinally or for making lei. Leaves can also be placed under mats for cushions. The sweet potato is an embodiment of Lono, the god of rain and agriculture (among other things). It is the […]
Scaevola gaudichaudii Native Endemic Fruit makes a purplish-black dye used in kapa making. Flowers are also used in lei. Tiny half flowers are part of a romantic Hawaiian legend. Read different versions of the moʻolelo below.
Broussonetia papyrifera Polynesian Introduction Shrubby tree brought to Hawaiʻi by Polynesians for its quality fiber bark. Hawaiians pounded the inner bark into soft durable kapa that was used for bedding, clothing, wrapping, flags, ceremonial uses, and decoration. Originally from Eastern Asia, wauke is well known throughout the Pacific for its usefulness. The bark is manufactured […]
Plants brought by Polynesian settlers to Hawaiʻi are called Polynesian Introduction Plants, or Canoe Plants. Most of these plants had practical purposes for survival and many of them were food crops.
Metrosideros sp. Native Endemic One of the most important trees in Hawaiʻi, the ʻōhiʻa lehua makes up around 80% of our native forests providing food and shelter for many animals and insects such as native birds like the ʻiʻiwi and ʻapapane (honeycreepers) and the endangered ʻākepa along with our native land snails or kāhuli. They […]
Native Indigenous – arrived before people, found here and elsewhere. These plants arrived naturally through Wind, Waves, or Wings. They established themselves in their new home. Native Endemic – arrived before people, found only in Hawaiʻi. These plants evolved over hundreds of years with their ecosystem to live in balance with surrounding organisms. They began […]
Microlepia strigosa Native Indigenous Palapalai is a fern found growing wild in the wet forest. As a medicine, it can help to treat insanity. Most commonly it is made into lei haku (braiding style). Leaves are used as offerings to Laka, goddess of hula.
Pisonia Native Indigenous The fruit, which appear during Summer and Fall, are covered with an extremely sticky substance that was smeared onto branches near where birds fed. Birds became stuck and the Hawaiians could then harvest the colorful feathers and release the bird. This harvesting technique of catch-and-release ensured a sustainable feather source. Thousands of […]