Issue 29: Uluhe

He kalo pa`a.

Unpounded taro.

A spinster or a bachelor.

Organism of the Week!  Uluhe, dicranopteris linearis
This is a plant near and dear to my heart if only because it reminds me of my home on the Big Island.  The plant is one of the widest distributed ferns of the "old world" tropics and similar regions.  Although beautiful, it spreads along the ground densely and climbs other vegetation - which often ends up blocking the sun from reaching any low-to-the-ground plants.  This fern grows densely and sprouts and climbs over the old growth over and over to make a deep layer of ferny brush.  When i first moved to the Big Island where uluhe reigns supreme, I would often play in the jungle that was my back yard, climbing ohia and hapu`u to jump into the dense uluhe.  I don't recommend this - the brush was not so deep where we were, but it can easily grow to be some 3 meters deep and often even deeper.  While we would only sink maybe thigh-deep in the stuff, an adult could easily tumble through closer to six to twelve feet of it bef
ore coming to a stop. 
The leafy ferns sprout branches at forty-five degree angles and sprout further branches, so and and so forth - these branches can reach well over 6 meters in length.  This fern grows well in poor-draining soil that lacks nutrients, but can also halt the growth of new trees because of how quickly and densely it grows.
In Hawaii, this fern is a "keystone species" in the ecosystem and dominates many areas of our rainforests.  It is found on all of the main Hawaiian islands.  The nature of uluhe is to grow well in nutrient-deficient environments.  But, when the leaves die, they create a thick layer of dead leaves which contribute nutrients to the new environment.  One helpful thing about uluhe is that by having such a dense thicket of uluhe, it makes it very difficult for other plants such as invasive species to grow, so the uluhe does serve a significant purpose to Hawaii's environment.  Other than that, it seems ancient Hawaii had little use for the plant - it was used only as a cure for constipation.  But in any case, it's a beautiful source of flora these days.

By Sabrina Robello

Sourced: Here and here.


Community Events!
Growing Conscious 1.0, Tues, Apr 30, 4:30-5:30, Manoa Campus - Behind the Art Building
This is a "therapeutic horticulture experience."  Translate: gardening during finals week.  Stop by and check out the free garden, help weed and meet other people.

Issue 28: `Io

E wehe i ka umauma i akea.

Open out the chest that it may be spacious.

Be generous and kind to all.

Organism of the Week!  `Io, Buteo Solitarius
This animal is one that is symbolic and significant to many locals.  On th rare occassion I've seen an `io swoop overhead, I've considered it an auspicious sign.  I know it was a creature related to royalty.  However, as to the more traditional information - I can't say much.  I have no research sources that add to that subject, unfortunately, so please add any information you can below! 
The `io is a hawk native to Hawaii.  It successfully nests in higher altitudes, often in ohi`a trees during the months of March to September.  The `io is a solitary creature for the most part, aggressively protecting their eggs during breeding season.  They are predator birds (unsurprisingly) and feed on rats, small birds, bugs and other small prey.  They used to prey on the Hawaiian crow, but that species is extinct in the wild these days.  Male `io are slightly smaller than females, each averaging in weight at about a pound.  From head to tail they are sixteen to

Photographer website

eighteen inches long - so a pretty small bird.  But still striking with its coloration and sharp eyes.  The feathers come in dark or light - the breast/stomach area is where you can see the difference. 


By Sabrina Robello

Sourced: Here and here.










Community Events!
Hawaii Food Drive! - Saturday, (Multiple locations/times)
It's that time again!  Clean out your pantry and donate it to a good cause, find your local food bank/drive here.
Spring Plant Sale - Saturday, 9 am - Lyon Arboretum
All sorts of plants will be sold this weekend - mostly pretty plants, but there will also be a few herbs and veggie plants!  Check it out!

Issue 28: Aku

Ha`ule no i kana `auwaha i`eli ai.

Fell into the ditch that he himself dug.

Caught in his own trap.

Organism of the Week!  Aku, Katsuwonis pelamis
This fish is one that most local people will be familiar with.  Aku, also known as skipjack tuna, is a delicious, tasty fish that ancient Hawaiians enjoyed much the way we still do.  Fish caught in Hawaiian waters these days weigh anywhere from four to thirty pounds.  But I imagine the fish caught back in ancient times were much larger, much the way other fish and animals were.  Aku are not fish that stay near shore - at their size, it's not surprising that they are deep-water fish.  I'm not sure what the more technical term for it is, but that's how I'm describing it.  Hawaiians did a lot of shallow water fishing and preferred net fishing for that purpose. But for fishing out in the deep, Hawaiians used hooks made of wood, bone, turtle shell or ivory on a line (preferably made of olona) to get aku and other tasty treats from the deeper ocean.
The only treat I can think of that is still made of aku is the dried fish itself.  While it's not one of my favorite foods, it has this oddly addictive quality that makes it difficult for me to stop munching on it.  If any of my readers have any tasty recipes for aku, please add it to the comments!

By: Sabrina Robello

Sourced: Here and here

Community Events:
Lei Workshop for Keiki - 9:30-10:30am - April 13, Lyon Arboretum
This is the third in the lei making workshop for kids, at $5 per family.  Bring some flowers and foliage to work on your haku lei!

Issue 27: Ki

I `ola`ola no ka uewai i ka piha `ole.

The water gourd gurgles when not filled full.

A person not well informed talks more than one who is.


Organism of the week!  Ki, cordyline fruticosa
Most people who have been in Hawaii more than ten minutes have seen ki planted for decorative purposes along buildings, in use as hula skirts, or used in lei.  Ti leaf is in many ways a plant that is a

symbol of Hawaii (in my opinion at least) because of how very visible and useful it is.
This plant can grow from 3 to 12 ft high and sprouts tightly spiraled leaves at the top of a long, tough stalk.  The leaves are long and broad, as many of my few readers will know.  Ti plants come in a variety of colors ranging from the common green to a range of red tones. 
Ti was used in many medicinal activities, often for wrapping a bundle of herbs to be steamed or boiled.  It could also be pressed against a feverish person's body as a cool compress, applied from the neck down and removed once the person's fever had cooled.  Freshly washed ti leaves pressed against the head would soothe headaches and fevers.  Hot stones could be wrapped in ti leaves and applied to sore muscles to soothe them. 
Ti could also be used as more than a tool and more as an ingredient in some remedies.  The steam from boiling ti in water was a decongestant.  Drinking that boiled ti-tea served as a muscle relaxant.  The ti flower could be used in combination with other plants to cure asthma.  Also, a liquor could be brewed from the roots of ti, often called oke.  The roots of the ti are sweet, and when baked can make a tasty treat. 

By Sabrina Robello

Sourced: Here, very useful source.

Community Events!
Taste of Manoa! - Apr. 11 - Thurs - 5:00- til the food runs out! - Manoa campus center
This is a treat that everyone who reads this should go to!  I can't emphasize this enough - if you've got a family, or just a few friends, bring your wallet and check this out.  Five scripts a person (at 1$ a piece), each script will get you one dish from one of the fine chefs showcasing their talents.  The food is good, the price is right, and this only happens once a semester.