Issue 33: `Akaha

Huli ke alo I luna, helu I ka `a`aho.

Lying face up and counting the rafters.

Lazy.

Organism of the Week! Asplenium nidus, `Akaha

This is also known as the bird's nest fern and grows to a height and size of four feet or larger.  With is shiny leaves, this plant can be used as a landscaping plant.  It grows best in shaded areas and without a lot of sun.  This fern can grow not just on the ground but it the crook of tree branches. 
The leaves of the plant look somewhat like banana tree leaves and are smooth, somewhat leathery and have a brownish rib running along the middle of the leaf.  Ancient Hawaiians didn't actually have a lot of uses for this plant though.  The midrib was primarily used for decorative purposes such as the weaving of lau hala mats.  The leaves of this plant was also used as part of the ceremony of making a canoe - the leaves would be spread across the log of the tree that was to be hollowed out to make a canoe. 
There wasn't much other use for the plant aside from that.  Presently, the plant is much used in landscaping because of its aesthetically pleasing looks. 

By Sabrina Robello

Sourced: Here and here.

Community Events!
Conservation Connections Talk Story - May 29, 5:30-7pm, Capital One 360 Café
Guest speaker Kim Welch will be speaking at this event, from the Oahu Natural Resources Program.  Stop by, check it out, enjoy!