Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 39, Number 6, 1 June 2022 — Wiliwili [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Wiliwili

<NĀ MEAKANU 'ĀPA'AKUMA O HAWAI'I NEI < ENDEMIC PLANTS OF HAWAI'I r~

(. Erythrina sandwicensis ) By Bobby Camara

"Ka wiliwili o Kaupe'a; The wiliwili grove of Kaupe'a." In 'Ewa, O'ahu. Said to be where homeless ghosts wander among the trees. - 'Olelo No'eau #1666

Brilliont red seeds, one or two per pod, decorote bore bronches, while puo of voried colors surprise. Variobility is o signoture of some of our endemic trees. - Photos: Seeds and white pua - F. & K. Starr; green pua - D. Eickhoff; salmon and ivorv nua - Jeffrev Saito.

While wandering lava lands, familiar splasbes of color beckon. - Photos: Bark detail - J.B. Priday; tree in full hloom - F. & K. Starr.

The arid coralline limestone plain of Honouliuli ma kai, west of Pu'uloa, grew many thousands of years ago when the sea level was mueh higher. It was the site of Kaupe'a and its wiliwili grove until recently when the trees were bulldozed for development. Gone are gnarled orange-trunk-ed kumulā'au. Now spirits wander, lost, looking for a resting plaee. Wiliwili grows easily and quickly, as long as you file through its bright red seed coat so water ean enter and feed it. With dryland friends such as ohai, ma'o, 'a'ali'i, and pili, wiliwili thrive in dry coastal lowlands with just a little rain. Its very lightweight wood is used for papa he'e nalu and 'ama. ■