My first time around, 2 winters ago, I had a few awa plants survive into the mid forties or slightly below. Some of them hated 45 degrees in pots. Some were burnt, but okay at 44 or 43. I believe 40 would kill most potted awa plants in the Southeastern US. I had around 7 Hawaiian cultivars at the time. Some survived indoors but struggled until finally giving up the ghost late spring. Too dry probably. If I recall, Honokane Iki and Hiwa survived cold longer than Papa Ele ele, Papa elel ele puu puu, papa kea, nene, and some others. But limited experience, of course.
This time around, I am trying new growing methods perhaps better suited for survival here. I'm not fooling myself into growing them yearround outdoors without some major protection. Might take a greenhouse. Anyway, these need to be potted up soon. If I can actually keep them alive a few years, I can't wait to try fresh Borogu and Hanikapi Ai.
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@shakas I don't share your love for Isa, despite having cuttings of it and an old pound sitting in my fridge. I went through a phase of drinking only heavies, but I am well out of it for good. I don't enjoy dragging through the day with a clouded head. And heavy kavas make your muscles resistant to working out. That was probably a liability in battle years ago for cultures that battled often, like the Polynesians. I do think that Isa has value as an anti cancer medication, but it is no cure all on its own. But it doesn't really matter whether or not you believe in it.
