Hawaiian Plants

Hawaiian Plants
By: Malia Strohlin, Matthew Trapasso, and Nicole Lee

    We are the plant group. We traveled around our ahupua’a to find the answers to our questions.The plants we are studying about kukui nuts, taro ( kalo ), and coconuts.

Kukui Nuts

     The kukui nut grows in valleys and gulches. Kukui nuts grow in the lower uka ( mountains ).

     The Hawaiians used the kukui nut’s sap to help seal  cuts. The kukui nut’s kernel could be pounded, mixed, and salted to make a Hawaiian relish called inamona. They used the oil to polish shells, weapons, and all different kinds of things.

    The Hawaiians used a kukui fruit that is white but when it fell it turned black, and it softened. If you peel of the black skin you will find the husk, and thats the beginning off the nut. Inside the husk is the shell and inside the shell is the kernel.
                              
Kalo

    Kalo grows in marshy places like a marsh. A marsh is a muddy swampy place. Kalo grows in kula but people use it all over the Ahupua’a.

    Kalo was used to make a squishy candy called kulolo you can also make luau. Luau is kalo leaves with coconut milk. They also cut and boiled the stems for a vegetable. Kalo is used for a food called poi. Poi is a food made out of kalo all pounded up and mixed with water.

    Kalo plant is used for the words like ohana.  The main plant are the parents. They are called the makua. The little plants that are growing are the children. they are called the oha. The offshoots are the rest of the family like the grandparents. That is the ohana.   

Coconuts

    Coconuts grow in the upper part of the kai ( ocean). coconut trees also grow on warmer leeward sides of the island. They may also grow on higher elevations , but they are used all over the Ahupua’a.  Coconut trees could live up to 100 years.



    The Hawaiians used coconut husks to make bowls, and cups for regular daily items. The oil was used for constipation and mental illness. They used the meat to make a pudding called Haupia. They used the milk for a germ free drink.

    Thank you for reading our report.

Posted on May 27, 2008 8:28 AM | Permalink