Hanakāpī‘ai has also gone by the name "Nēnē ‘ele‘ele," however, neither are traditional names that have come down to us through chants or ethnographic
studies.
This cultivar has been found, growing on its own, in only one area of Hawai‘i, the Na Pali Coast of Kaua‘i, in Hanakāpī‘ai Valley. When Joel Lau collected the cutting in 1983, he noted "One aggregation of this cultivar was observed" (notes on file at Waimea Arboretum on O‘ahu).
A Hawaiian settlement once flourished in this stunningly beautiful, remote, and archaeologically rich area. Literally translated, the name means "bay sprinkling food" (Pukui, Elbert, and Mookini 1974,40).
This tall plant has an erect growing habit and can attain a height of ten feet or more, depending on the environment. Growing in the full sun, it may remain under eight feet. It is a dark ‘awa with many spots and purple nodes. Under some conditions, this cultivar can develop a waxy shine on its stalks.
studies.
This cultivar has been found, growing on its own, in only one area of Hawai‘i, the Na Pali Coast of Kaua‘i, in Hanakāpī‘ai Valley. When Joel Lau collected the cutting in 1983, he noted "One aggregation of this cultivar was observed" (notes on file at Waimea Arboretum on O‘ahu).
A Hawaiian settlement once flourished in this stunningly beautiful, remote, and archaeologically rich area. Literally translated, the name means "bay sprinkling food" (Pukui, Elbert, and Mookini 1974,40).
This tall plant has an erect growing habit and can attain a height of ten feet or more, depending on the environment. Growing in the full sun, it may remain under eight feet. It is a dark ‘awa with many spots and purple nodes. Under some conditions, this cultivar can develop a waxy shine on its stalks.