The first Kiawe wood seedling was planted in 1827 by Sacred Hearts Father Alexis Bachelot next to the Cathedral Catholic Church in downtown Honolulu's Fort Street Mall. Legend is he brought the tree from Chile.
With a large trunk and gnarly branches, Kiawe is a mesquite tree of hard, long-burning wood used for smoking meats and BBQs. Most importantly, Kiawe works great slow-cooking kalua pig in the imu.
The Milo is an interesting tree, its botanical name, Thespesia populnea, means “divine." A member of the hibiscus family, the bell-shaped Milo flower is pale yellow with a maroon center that blooms for just one day, then closes and becomes a seed pod as shown in this drawing.
The pods dry brittle into papery capsules, opening at maturity, releasing about seven seeds that grow quickly and easily. Lamp oil has been made from the seeds.
The tree thrives on sandy coastal and volcanic soils and has a curved trunk and a large 30-foot spread that creates shade, windbreak, and shelter.
Ancient Hawaiians carved the beautiful dark heartwood of the Milo tree into canoes, food bowls, poi calabashes, platters and dishes, tools, and utensils. Milo wood remains easy to work with, has a smooth natural finish, and is durable.
Common Is Uncommon
From Oceania to green Hanalei
the common Laua‘e fern
transformed to pe‘ahi of legend
our halau bends
to gather this spirit
for our hula kuahu and lei
as fragrant as sweet maile
kissing ankles, wrists, heads.
Joyous Laua‘e fingers
understand the dance:
ka makani, ka la, ua.
life, moon, aloha
For you, Beloved,
Common is Uncommon.
Together, we perform
this timeless ritual:
Our Chant--
sky and earth
heart to heart.
@mscator 11.9.21
Koa is revered, the wood of Hawaii's birth and history. Inside Iolani Palace, the home of the Hawaiian monarchy, the Grand Hall staircase is made of Koa.Duke Kahanamoku rode the Waikiki waves with his 114-pound Koa surfboard.
Today, musicians know that a ukulele or guitar made of Koa will have tonal magic. The wood grain of Koa is exquisite and expensive. And unique. Whether furniture, crafts, carvings, or jewelry each piece is different in color and grain.
