Issue 31: Kamani

Ka la I ka mauliola.

The sun is the source of life.

Mauli ola is the god of health.

Organism of the Week! Calophyllum inophyllum, Kamani

The kamani was probably brought to Hawaii in seed form by the ancient settlers.  The plant is known as a laurel tree to other people and grows best along sandy shores and lowland forests.  In Hawaii it was cultivated in villages near houses.  This tree can grow up to 60 feet in height and provides a picturesque, spreading foliage with grey bark.  The tree was a hardwood and could be used to carve out canoes, or in building of homes, containers or calabash bowls.  Kamani wood also did not have an unpleasant odor or flavor so was ideal for holding food. 
As pictured at the right, the leaves are thick, waxy looking and grow to be 3-8 inches long.  The plant sprouts fragrant flowers that are small and eventually bear fruit that start out pinkish green and eventually become a bright green.  These fruits could be used similarly to kukui nuts and the kernel in the kamani fruit could be used as lamp oil.    This oil could also be used for lomi lomi massage and may have been used to waterproof kappa cloth. 
The plant also has other medicinal properties and an extract from the fruit was used to make a dye to color kapa.  These days, Kamani is planted as an ornamental plant and for the fragrant flowers while  our demand for Kamani oil is satisfied via imports from other Polynesian islands.

By Sabrina Robello

Sourced:  Mostly here, with miscellaneous.

Community Events!
Community Forum about Thomas Square - May 13, 5:30-7pm, Doris Duke Theater
This will be a community discussion about plans for the local park.  It is somewhat less maintained than other public parks and is perpetually occupied by "Occupy Honolulu" or local hobos.  It's difficult to tell which is which.