Issue 20: Ipu Awaawa

 Keke`e ka waha, ua nahu i ka makani.
His mouth is wry after biting the wind.
Said of one who has found that what he said of others is true of himself.


Organism of the week!  Ipu awaawa, lagenaria siceraria

This plant is related to the pumpkin and other squash plants.  It grows as a vine in hot, sunny areas and can apparently live off relatively little water.  The internet says this iconic plant actually prefers a dry, hot climate.  The plant can grow over other plants as well, with stems reaching 10 - 20 ft in length.  The ipu awaawa grows best in these hot climates at an elevation below 1500 ft, and is supposed to be fairly easy to grow.  I understand that there are other issues related to the growing of ipu though, such as diseases it may catch that can wither the plant, so it sounds like climate and environment are less of an issue than that.
The ipu awaawa was a bitter plant and was used medicinally and as containers.  Supposedly Hawaiians used the ipu more extensively than any other Pacific Islander people, but I'm not 100% on that. 
Then again, ipus were also used as musical instruments.  Pear shaped ipu could be turned into a whistle, ipu hokiokio, or rattles, `uli`uli, or ipu hula which beat out the familiar u-te-te rhythm.

By Sabrina Robello

Sourced: Here and here.

Community Events!
Lei Workshop for the Keiki - 9:30 - 10:30, 10:30-11:30 - Lyon Arboretum
This event requires you to preregister so check the UH Manoa campus events calendar to do so!  Five dollars will pay for your whole family to sit down and learn to string leis and learn the traditional Hawaiian method of lei-making.
 21st Annual Conservation Conference Registration - July 16-18 - Hawaii Convention Center
This program runs through a weekend in the summer and before you lose interest, students can go for the low, low price of $50!  This program will run a variety of lectures focused on improving Hawaii, and given that the normal price is approximately seven times that, my few readers should definitely take advantage of this opportunity!  Check out hawaiiconservation.org to register early.