Day Twelve: 'Ohi'a

 

Pencil Drawing: 'Ohi'a

In Hawaiian mythology, handsome 'Ohi'a, in love with beautiful Lehua, rejected  Pele who loved him, too. Enraged, the jealous volcano goddess turned 'Ohi'a into a tree. Other gods transformed the heartbroken Lehua into the flower of the 'Ohi'a tree. On the day you pick the lehua blossom, you are separating the lovers and it will rain.

Folklore aside, the 'Ohi'a Lehua plant was important to early Hawaiians. The wood created weapons, leaves made a medicinal drink, and the seeds fed native birds.

Today,  the hearty ʻŌhia rises from lava rock and blooms at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. Hula dancers wear lehua blossoms in lei headbands, around wrists and ankles. 'Ohi'a branches create traditional kalaau, or dancing sticks.

Day Eleven: Kokiʻo keʻokeʻo

 

Pencil drawing, Kokiʻo keʻokeʻo

"Kokiʻo keʻokeʻo (Hibiscus waimeae) has two subspecies. The subspecies hannerae is federally listed as an endangered species. It is distinguished by the much larger leaves and smaller flowers than appear in subspecies waimeae." Source: Native Plants Hawaii website.

Oh, Rare Hibiscus

Beautiful Kokiʻo keʻokeʻo
as white as the whitest sunshine
your red heart, the heart of the sun
in Molokaʻi, in my beloved Ko'olau forest.

You alone, oh rare hibiscus!
your sweet strength, this fragrance
opening for me in the morning
closing for me at night.

Heaven on earth:
Hana Mana, Kokiʻo keʻokeʻo.

@mscator, 11.15.21

Day Ten: `Awa

 

Pencil drawing, `Awa

Early Polynesian voyagers brought the `Awa ("bitterness") plant to Hawaii and it grows abundantly in my hometown of Kaneohe, Windward Oahu, and other moist lower areas on all the islands. Called Kava or Kava Kava throughout the Pacific Islands, `Awa can be made into an herbal remedy that helps anxiety, insomnia, and other ailments.

`Awa was important to the ceremonies and cleansing rituals of Ancient Hawaiians. A favorite offering to the gods, chants recall how the gods Käne, Pele, and Kanaloa, were famous `Awa drinkers. 

Missionaries who came to Hawaii in 1820 discouraged the use of the intoxicating plant, but in recent years interest in the historical, cultural, and alternate medicine aspects of `Awa has resurged.