Issue 16: Flower of Lana`i, Kauna`oa

Ho`ola `i na manu i ke aheahe.
The birds poise quietly in the gentle breeze.
(Said of those at peace with the world)

Organism of the Week!  Kauna`oa Cuscuta Sandwichiana

This lei material is more of a vine as you can see here - an air vine described as the native dodder (if that means anything to botanically inclined readers).  The yellowish flowers of this plant grows in tiny clusters around the stem and is only a sixteenth of an inch in size.  Given the delicate appearance of this plant, I assumed correctly that it is difficult to find these days.
The kauna`oa grows best in coastal areas with sandy soil, at sea-level for the most part.  Materials I'm looking at says you won't find any above 975ft elevation.  Also, the plant grows on other plants - "parasitizing" according to the internets.
The part of the plant that is used in lei is the yellowy-orange tendrils that you can see above.  These are taken and twined together to make a lei, like the one here.  I believe the thread leis sold these days are supposed to be imitating the look of this lei now that I see it.
Apparently there were some medicinal uses for the plant as well - mixed together with some other plants and ingested will induce vomiting (used specifically for emptying the tummy of icky phlegm during cold season) or can be used in a concoction to assist women with childbirth.  Fun facts, I know :)

By Sabrina Robello

Sourced: Here and here


Community Events!
Green Drinks - Every Tuesday, 5:30-8pm, Fresh Cafe
This ongoing event is for those who want to network with like-minded people as well as enjoy some farm-fresh foods.  And drinks I suppose.  More about it here.
Ecolounge - Every Third Thursday, 6-9pm, Indigo (1121 Nuuanu Ave)
This is described as a spot to network again with like-minded folk.  Caters more to business types, but active environmentalists might be interested as well.

Issue 15: Flower of Kauai, Mokihana Berry

I ka nana no a`ike.
By observing, one will learn.

Organism of the Week!  Mokihana Berry, Rutaceae Melicope Anisata

This particular organism is obviously not a flower.  Apparently it was decided each island should have its own specific lei material of which to be proud of.  It just so happens many leis are made of flowers and I suppose the title was shortened to flower instead of lei material.
This plant is a native citrus tree goes by some other names locals may be more familiar with - mokehana, alani, or alani kuahiwi.  The berry smells of anise (for the chefs among my few readers) and must be strung within a few hours of picking, and the scent of this berry and the plants twigs used to be a favored scent among ancient Hawaiians.

Mokihana berries in action.

The plant this berry grows on is a shrub that grows to be between 2-8 meters tall with thick leaves.  The branches can be somewhat droopy giving it a vine-like appearance.  And the plant grows well in wet forests at a range of elevations - from 1200-4000 ft, and is native only to Kauai, although may be found on other islands these days.  The twigs and leaves when dried can retain their anise-like scent for quite awhile and used to be placed in the folds of kapa to lend their scent to the material.  Finally, the plant was indeed primarily used for its lei-making properties.
By Sabrina Robello

Sourced: Here

Community Events!
Acoustic Monitoring of Near-Shore Ecosystems  -  Thurs, Aug 16, 6:30pm - 7:30pm, Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve Theater
A UH Zoology grad student will be speaking at Hanauma Bay, which I presume is free (except parking I mean).  For more information contact this fellow (carrier@hawaii.edu) and enjoy.
Message in the Waves - Thurs. Aug 16, 6pm-8pm, Kailua Sailboards & Kayaks Eco Lounge
This is a film screening is a free event that focuses on upcycling and the hazards of wastefulness.
Heʻeia Stream Restoration Work Day - Sat, Aug 18, 8am-11am, 46-403 Haʻikū Rd, Kāneʻohe
Volunteer opportunity!  Work out the stress of returning to class with some productive manual labor.  Good for you and the environment!

Issue 14: Flower of Molokai, Kukui Blossom

`A`ohe pau ka `ike i ka halau ho`okahi.
All knowledge is not learned from one school.


Organism of the Week!   kukui blossom, Aleurites Moluccana

This flower is the blossom on the kukui tree or candlenut tree.  The flower is tiny as you can see here, with tiny white petals.  The fruit of this blossom yields the ever useful kukui nut, the uses of which I will go into in a later post.
However, the flower and fruit of this plant are used to make lovely leis in this case, and fortunately grow easily in the wild here in Hawaii as the plant requires lots of tropical weather.  Incidentally, the kukui is not native to Hawaii but was later brought here by early settlers, which I suppose I must have learned at some point in my education, but was forgotten.  Considering how much the kukui tree is a symbol of Hawaii, it's interesting to learn that it was brought from an even more ancient culture here with settlers.
The flower and fruit are not the only well known things about this plant.  The tree itself is a symbol of our state, the state tree.

-Sabrina Robello

Sourced: Here and here 

Community Events:
Climate Change and Philanthropy: Wed, Aug 8, 12pm-1pm, Hamilton Library Classroom 3F
This free event will feature the European Climate Foundation and will discuss climate change and the ways the ECF are striving to stop it.
Ke Kani o Ke Kai:  Thurs, Aug 9, 7pm - 9pm, 2777 Kalakaua Avenue
Wish I'd posted this up earlier!  Tickets are no longer available for Jake Shimabukuro's concert, so for those determined to attend, admittance without pre-ordered tickets will be on a first come first serve basis.  Doors open at 5:30 for the determined!