Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 39, Number 9, 1 Kepakemapa 2022 — Koki'o: A Spectacle in the Bosom of Hualālai [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Koki'o: A Spectacle in the Bosom of Hualālai

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

By Bobby Camara Hepua lāleapūnono i kapoli o Hualālai A gorgeously red flower, beacon-bright in the bosom ofHualālai

The island of Hawai'i is home to this endangered koki'o ( Kokia drynarioides), found on arid lee slopes. We understand that two wild adult individuals remain, along with many outplanted, and some wild, keiki. In the hibiscus family, koki'o is a small tree whose spectacular flowers feature recurved petals; truly a wondrous sight. This endemic genus has four species, one eaeh extinct in the wild on Moloka'i and O'ahu, a surviving species with populations on Kaua'i, and K. drynarioides on Hawai'i. 'Ili koki'o (its bark) was carefully collected in vertical strips from the trunk, a rust-colored dye prepared, and white olonā fish nets dyed to both preserve and camoflage them ffom various i'a. Pua hold wells of nectar frequented by pollinators, and have been fashioned into stunning lei. ■

(Left) Note tiny red dots in koki'o bnrk, source of rust coloring. (Right) Knpn po'n'nhn by Lisn Schnttenburg Roymond. Dyed with koki'o bork, net inked witb pa'u kukui ond pīloli. - Photos: Lisa Schattenhurg Raymond and Bobby Camara

(Left) Buds grow until blooms surprise. (Rigbt) Seed pod opens, ond seeds covered in fur ore revealed. A few eoll this "Howoiion tree cotton." - Photos: PB

Remember: Plant parts of endangered species must only be gathered from cultivated yard plants - never in the wild!

' ,1k,- 1 He nani blbTmanu! - Photo: Bobby Camara