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Kukui –
Aleurites Moluccana, Candlenut Tree
This common tree of the
windward and leeward lowland forests forms groves that are easily
distinguished by the light gray-green leaves that flutter in the
wind. It is considered to have been introduced by early settlers of
Hawaii and was highly valued for the oily kernel in the hard shell of the
seed nut. These kernels were strung on a palm leaf midrib and burned
as candles, thus the name candle nut. The oil was sometimes pressed
out of the nut and burned with a tapa wick for light. The nuts were
also roasted and used as a condiment at meals. The bark was used as
a dye for fishnets and handlines and also for coloring the canoe
black. The wood is very soft and rots easily.
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Norfolk Island Pine – Araucaria
Heterophylla
This is a symmetrical evergreen tree brought to Hawaii by Captain Cook
from Norfolk Island near Australia. These trees are not true pines. They
do not have needles like a pine, but overlapping scale-like leaves about
one half inch long. These trees, up to 200 feet tall, are used in
landscaping and as Christmas trees. The closely related Cook Pine comes
from the Isle of Pines, New Caledonia. Captain Cook said upon
approaching the island, “They had the appearance of tall pines which
occasioned my giving that name to the island”. It is difficult to
distinguish these two trees apart. |
Milo – Thespesia
Populnea
The milo tree provided shade at beach and house site
locations at lower elevations. The wood is similar to another
Hawaiian wood called kou. Milo is harder to work than kou, but was
also used to make calabashes by the Hawaiians. It is still prized by
contemporary bowl makers for its color and polish. |
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Volcano Photography
Sea Life Photography
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Koa – Acacia Koa, Hawaiian
Islands
Probably the most ancient tree species on our islands, koa
has long been recognized as a high quality wood prized for its hardness,
strength, straight bole, and close beautiful grain which would not warp
even after years in sea water. These characteristics led to its
primary use as the much preferred material for canoe building, an
enterprise crucial to Polynesian survival.
Koa’s use was restricted
to royalty and each step in the canoe-making process was overseen by
canoe-making priests. Koa was also used for the huge, heavy
surfboards of royalty. Duke Kahanamoku, widely recognized as the
“Father of Modern Surfing”, also used these koa surfboards. Other
uses included canoe paddles, dyes from the bark, and medicines from the
leaves. Early Portuguese made the first ukuleles from carefully
selected koa. The wood was valuable and thus was considered suitable
payment for taxes, as gifts, and for sacrifice. It was associated
with wealth and well-being and the trees were recognized as long lived
monarchs of the forests, characteristics naturally imparted to people
through association and possession of the wood.
Today, koa is known
as the “Mahogany of the Hawaiian Islands” and can be seen as woodwork and
furniture in Hawaii’s palaces, and some of the finer hotels and
restaurants. Its golden, reddish-brown grain is revered, but not
always affordable. Koa is at a premium because the large tracts of
koa forests which covered much of the upper slopes of the Hawaiian
Islands, have fallen victim to the ravages of cattle and their unchecked
grazing. Reforestation of koa stands has been an ongoing project of
The Kamehameha Schools and various other land owners. With careful
planning and thoughtful legislation, this invaluable Hawaiian resource
will live on into perpetuity.
We trust that you will care for and
appreciate this specimen and recognize it as an increasingly unique and
valuable piece of Hawaii. Keep out of direct sunlight and away from
heat sources. E ola Koa…let him live, with the health, wealth and
well-being of a Koa Tree!
Under The Koa Tree is an art gallery located in
Waikiki offering koa wood, prints, photos, photography, frames, jewelry,
glass, turtles, honu, titanium rings, sculptures and more by such
artists as Rosalie Prussing, Clark Little, and Mike Field in Honolulu
Oahu Hawaii |
Dichroic Glass Jewelry
Fused Glass
Fused Glass Platters
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our store!
