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!

Issue 13: Flower of Maui, Pink Lokelani

E kolo ana no ke ewe i ke ewe.
The root creeps toward other roots.
Kin seek out and love each other.

Organism of the week! Pink Lokelani - Rosa damascena
This deciduous shrub can grow up to 7ish ft tall and has bristles and prickles to protect itself.  It is not native to Hawaii, nor can it be found in the wild anymore, but is most likely from the Middle East.  This flower is very fragrant and clearly lovely to look upon, and I believe is used in lei.
It's believed that this flower was brought to Hawaii in the 1800s, possibly by English crews and whatnot, vaunted for its beauty and fragrance.  Since it doesn't seem to thrive in the wild these days, it's impact on our native ecosystem is hopefully minimal.


The internet seems to have a limited supply of information on this flower though - if you happen to have anything to add, please do share in the comments below!


-Sabrina Robello
Sourced: Here and here


PS: I'm currently in the process of moving into my apartment, so the next few blogs may be similarly brief, but fear not I'll do my best to devote time to posting some interesting bits here anyways!

Issue 12: Flower of the Big Island, Red `Ohi`a Lehua

Pupukahi i holomua.
Unite to move forward.

Organism of the Week!  Red Lehua flower, Metrosideros Polymorpha
This is a flower I've been trying to skirt around because it is one of my more favorite ones, and I didn't want to end up lehua-ing out my limited audience.  It is our banner after all.
This flower grows on the `ohi`a lehua tree which can grow quite tall - up to 60 ft according to the internet, but in person they always seem taller (to me at least).  They also could be as small as shrubs and still flower well, as can be seen in lava fields that have calmed enough for some green to return (see dramatic photo below).  The wood of the tree is considered a hardwood, and may be used for making furniture or flooring, although use of it as such in these modern days is limited.  Often if you do see furniture made from `ohi`a, it is very organic looking and may not suit the average buyer.
The tree also puts out aerial roots that tend to slope down the trunk of the tree.  Extra nourishment from the air!

The flower itself is not a petaled flower as you can see here, but more of a spray of color.  This flower is a common sight on the Big Island and is often used in lei and decorations, and is practically the insignia of the Big Island.  Perhaps due to its hardiness and interesting spray of color that the flower is often associated with the fire goddess Pele, who is said to reside here on the Big Island (surrounded by forests of `ohi`a, incidentally).
In any case, this flower also comes in other shades, the less common yellow and the even more rare cross-bred orange.  All very attractive plants, if you ask me.

Sourced: Here but also my own knowledge
-Sabrina Robello





Community Events
PhD Dissertation Defense: Tues. July 17, 3pm-4pm, Manoa Campus Marine Science bldg, Rm 100
I tend to troll through UH Manoa's event calendar, and things like this pop up, but this dissertation is regarding global warming and its affects on the environment.  Seemed like an interesting event to me, but please do read more here.

Issue 11: Flower of `Oahu, Golden `Ilima

Ho`okahi leo ua lawa.
One voice is enough.
One reminder is all you need.

Organism of the Week! - Pua `ilima - Sida fallax
In 1923 the territorial governor decided that this golden flower would be `Oahu's designated flower emblem.  In 2000, Governor Cayetano endorsed this decision by signing some official documents designating it as such.  However, I didn't have the slightest clue each island could be represented by a different flower, so this is news to me.

This flower actually looks a bit like our state flower, the hibiscus, except it's much smaller from what I understand.  The coloration can also vary as well, but in this case `Oahu's flower is particularly of the yellow-golden variety.
Incidentally, ancient Hawaiians had many uses for this plant.  Juice from the flowers were a mild laxative used by children, and the flowers were eaten by pregnant women.  Root bark combined with the flowers would treat asthma, and chewing the buds would alleviate thirst (when water was difficult to find I suppose?).  The stems of the plant could also be used as slats for roofing, or would make excellent supplies for making baskets.
These days the flower is pretty for landscaping purposes, and easy to grow in dryer climates (unsurprising for a flower of `Oahu).
Sourced: Here

Community Events!
Monk Seal Mania - Thurs. July 12, Waikiki Aquarium, 3pm-3:45pm
The aquarium is hosting an event about monk seals - admittedly for younger audiences, but it might still be fun and definitely interesting.  Event costs $2, a paltry sum for an interesting afternoon.
Kako`o `Oiwi - Sat. July 14, Directions Here, 8:30am onward
This is another volunteer opportunity working in a lo`i, out near Kaneohe.  If you're in the neighborhood and interested in applying some native Hawaiian practices, this is the place to be.  You may want to take some more modern precautions though - the website requests volunteers wear sneakers, as well as sunscreen and bug spray.

Issue 10: July 4th

E ho`ohuli ka lima i lalo.
Turn the hands down.
Hands palms downward is usually when the hands are most productive.

Another late post!  On the up side, I've completed my course so there will be no more excuses for late or minimal posts!  On the down side, this is my last lame excuse blog for the summer (or at least the next month).

808 ID Booth

In any case, this week is the week that our Independence Day falls on.  While I'm not overly patriotic and even if I were I hardly think this would be the appropriate place to harp on about that - in Volcano town on Big Island, that means that it's time for the annual Fourth of July parade and community festival!  This includes a very interesting craft fair!
Volcano is generally known as a small town filled with art hippies and the annual summer craft fair does not disappoint.  Beautiful wares of all types can be found ranging from kitschy masks, soaps, or potholders to beautifully carved koa items, sparkling glassware and jewelry.
But why is this relevant?  Well I know many of our club members frequently travel to the Big Island and would perhaps appreciate the beautiful pieces inspired by our native surroundings.  I've seen glassware inspired by our lava fields that practically glows on its own, or lively sculptures of the i`iwi, things that are just fantastic.
But whether or not you can afford these treasures, just the sight of them all is pretty inspiring.  Or maybe it's just me.  In any case, if you're on the island, come on up to Volcano to check it out.  The parade ends at the Volcano Community Center, where the festival and craft fair is held.