The Word of the Day is "Pua Hinahina" - The Flower of Kaho'olawe

Pua Hinahina; Photo courtesy of Bishop Museum

Kaho'olawe (bear with me, this is a tough one….kah-ho-ō-lah-vay) is represented by its GRAY or SILVER pua hinahina (poo-wah hee-na-hee-na), which has a fuzzy, velvety, sweet scented flower that looks like a full bloomed rose. It is considered a ground cover, and stands out against the rocks or sand. Because it is such a hard flower to get, the Spanish moss was introduced to Hawai'i and is a common substitute for Kaho'olawe. The Spanish moss is called 'umi'umi o Dole (oo-me oo-me oh Dole) as it resembles the beard of Sandford B. Dole, who was the President of the Provisional Government of Hawai'i.

A hui hou,

Haunani