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ILIMA (Sida fallax)
The yellow Ilima is the official flower of the Hawaiian island Oahu. It belongs to the family of the Hibiscus, and varies very much in its appearance. It can be almost tree-like when growing upland whereas, while when found on lowlands, it is more likely to look silvery-haired. In earlier times, parts of the Ilima were used medicinally, for example as a laxative for children.
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OHIA (Metrosideros collina polymorpha)
The red Ohia is the official flower of the Big Island. It is actually a blossom of the native Ohia Tree. Besides red, the blossom can also be yellow, orange or white. It is said that the Ohia presents the goddess Pele. Pele is the hot-headed, bad-tempered and violent goddess of fire and volcanoes and violence. Pele is frequently encountered in the world of the mortals, where she attends social dancings and parties. She loves dancing, but gets furious if she can’t get a man. She is notorious for her jealousy and vengeance. |
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LOKELANI (rosa damascena)
The pink Lokelani or rose of heaven has a sweet scent and is very delicate. It is the official flower of Maui. The Lokelani is a native of Asia Minor. It was brought to the New World by the Spanish and introduced to Hawaii in the early 1800s. It is not sure whether it was the seamen from New England who brought the flower with them, or that the missionary women introduced it in Hawaii. Fact is that the beautiful rose became very popular. It did not only grow in the average garden on Hawaii, but also in the gardens of influential persons such as Don Francisco de Paula y Marin. De Marin was a Spanish man who became a physician in the kingdom of Hawaii in the 1820s. The flower became especially popular on the island Maui, which caused people to nickname the flower the Maui rose. Like the yellow Hibiscus, in 1923 the Lokelani got an official status as the symbol of the island Maui. Because of its intense beauty, the rose of heaven has become subject of many poems and songs. It is also an inspiration for many photographers, as is evident from the large amount of pictures of the Lokelani available and the lyrical comments accompanying those pictures. |
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KUKUI (Aleurites moluccana)
The white Kukui blossom is the flower of Molukai. It is a very popular flower among lei makers. The Kukui is the blossom of the Kukui tree, which has much more to offer than just beauty. Originally, the Polynesians, who used the Kukui nuts for their oil, brought it to Hawaii. Naturally, the Kukui tree grows on mountain slopes and in wet valleys, but it might also grow elsewhere if planted.
The Kukui flower is very small with five petals. It grows in clusters at the end of the Kukui tree branches. The leaves of the Kukui are quite pale, and covered on the underside with a silver, powdery substance. The Kukui features in many Hawaiian stories and myths, which is probably thanks to its useful purposes. The flowers, leaves and the nuts are often used in leis. The nuts were used for their oil and can be eaten. They contain a black dye that is being used for tattooing. The wood of the Kukui tree was used for making canoes and the leaves were chewed for relief of sorrow. |
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KAUNAOA (Cuscutaceae)
The Kaunaoa is a yellow and orange air plant. Lei makers use the light orange strands of this vine to form leis. The Kaunaoa is not really a flower, but still it represents the Lanai Island. Like many other Hawaii flowers, the Kaunaoa is a rare species that can be difficult to find. |
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PUPU SHELL
The Pupu shell, like Kaunaoa, is not a flower either, but it represents the Nihau Island. It is a white shell, which can be found on the shores of the rocky island. |
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HINAHINA (Heliotropium anomalum)
This beautiful flower represents Kahoolaw, an uninhabited island. It is a silver-grey plant whose flowers and stems are very suitable for lei making. The Hinahina, as you can see on the pictures, grows on the beach and stays low to the ground. The white Hinahina is a cactus-like plant that doesn’t need a lot of water, which is evident when you look at its thick structure. |
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