U'i pua = pretty flower
All types of types of tropical flowers can be found all over the Hawaiian islands. From the sand on the beaches, too high up in the mountains.
The flowers that can be found on the island is not only used for beauty and decor, but some are a part of the Hawaiian culture.
Tahitian Gardenia
The Tahitian gardenia flower or the Tiare flower can be found all over the islands. Another common name for this flower is tiare Tahiti. The flower is very popular among locals because of the sweet fragrance the flower gives off.
In the Tahitian legend, the tiare flower was created by the Oceanic God of Creation, Atea, with help from the God of Beauty, Tane. The beauty of the flower was so mesmerizing the gods in the Tenth Heaven would fight over this flower. Ta'aroa, the Supreme God, saw the allure of the tiare flower and ordered Atea and Tane to take tiare beyond the Tenth Heaven.
When they arrived, Atea formed the stars, moon, and constellations before naming the location "Tumu" (meaning "the beginning of the beginning"). There were forests and vegetation, and life began on Earth and in the oceans. Atea entrusted the tiare flower to mihia-i-te-tai, the Queen of the Mermaids, in order to assure its survival on Earth. The tiare sprouted after several moons and mihi-i-te-tai returned the flower to Atea, saying, "Today this creature has become a plant, but the spirit of the gods will remain within it."
Heliconia & Red Ginger
Heliconia also known as Lobster-claws derived from their unique claw-like shape. "Heliconia" originated from the Greek word "helikonios" meaning, a genus of flowering plants in the monotypic family heliconiaceae.
This flower can be found thriving on the island because they need warm weather and moist soil. They are resilient and beautiful plants. Do not be mistaken for the "Bird of Paradise" flower which are very similar in shape.
The smaller plant on the lower right of the photo is red ginger. Red ginger or alpinia purpurata is very popular on the island. They are used in bouquets, gardens, funerals, and more.
This flower originated in Malaysia, but has immigrated across the globe. In Samoa, the "teuila" or red ginger is their national flower. Although, it is actually an invasive species to Hawaii, but their seeds do not spread as easily.
Crinum Lilies
The crinum lily or the spider lily is a native tropical plant to Asia. In Hawaii, they are special because they can grow up to 8 feet tall. The flower is also referred to as the "Queen Emma Spider Lily", but can be confused with ausgustism. Ausgustism is another variation of this lily, this flower is purple and pink within the petals and leaves.
These flowers are easily propagated and can be added into any landscape for additional beauty. They can be found near the beaches because they are one of the only flowers that can handle the conditions of being grown by the beach.
Calotropis Gigantea
The calotropis gigantea flower or the crown flower can be found all over the island. This species of calotropis is native to India, Cambodia, Vietnam, and many other South-East Asian countries. These plants are easy to grow and are in bloom all season. A fun fact is that caterpillars are able to pupate on this plant.
In Hawaii, these dainty flowers are used for leis. Their light purple hue makes a beautiful lei. Crown flower leis are often made with the bud before the flower blooms. They can also be made with a multitude of strands. Using 200 blossoms is the common amount used for a lei.
Crown flower translates to puakalaunu in Hawaiian. The crown flower got its name because it resembles the royal crown. This was Queen Liliuokalani's favorite flower.
Naupaka
The naupaka flower is very special to Hawaii, every kid grew up hearing the tale behind this half flower. The reason why this flower is so special is because the exact half of the flower grows as the top on the mountains, while the other half grows on beaches. The Hawaiian story has many different interpretations, but they are all very similar to each other.
One is that the ancient Hawaiian princess, Naupaka, had fallen in love with a commoner named Kaui. Naupaka was forbidden to marry anyone who was not of noble birth and was overwhelmingly saddened.
In a desperate search for an answer to their dilemma, Naupaka and Kaui ventured far off to a temple in the mountains to gain wisdom from a shaman, known in Hawaii as a Kahuna. After hearing about their problem, even the Kahuna had no solution for them, but he advised them to pray at the temple.
When no answers came, deep sadness descended on the couple. Princess Naupaka removed the flower she wore in her hair and tore it, giving one half to Kaui. She told him that since it was clear that the gods didn’t sanction their union, he should go live near the sea while she would remain living in the mountains.
As the two lovers went their separate ways with broken hearts, the Naupaka plants saw their deep sorrow and the next day they bloomed with only half flowers. To this day, Naupaka plants grow near the beach or in the mountains and still produce only half flowers.
Hibiscus Arnottianus (Hawaiian White Hibiscus)
The Hawaiian hibiscus is a shrub or small tree can grow from 15 to 20 feet tall. The bush itself can grow up to 20 feet large. The flower has a similar shape to a pinwheel, with a vibrant pink and red staminal column.
They are in bloom all year. The weather in Hawaii is perfect and allows for blossoms all year.
Common Names
Koki'o ke'oke'o
Hau hele
Hawaiian White Hibiscus
Koki'o kea
O'ahu White Hibiscus
Pamakani
https://www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/hawnprop/plants/hib-arno.htm
Hula Girl Hibiscus (rosa-sinensis)
This hibiscus can be identified by their large vibrant yellow petals and a deep orange-red center. Its staminal column is the same color as the petals, almost becoming camouflage.
Hawaii's tropical climate allows for the Hibiscus to grow and thrive all year round. They are also extremely resilient to drought, making them easy to grow.
The name "Hula Girl Hibiscus" comes from hula dancers wearing one in their ear as well as the same shape of the dancers skirts.
Nebels Rainbow Plumeria
The rainbow plumeria has a radiant yellow inside and red bands on the outer ends and back. Their petals are wide, with a round tip, slightly overlapping each other. The flower also gives off a sweet fragrance.
Throughout the year they will bloom because they thrive in tropical weather. They blossom the strongest from March to September.
They can be found all over the island, in neighborhoods and backyards. The flowers are used for leis or just to wear on your ear.
Common Yellow Plumeria
The most common plumeria that can be found around the islands is the yellow plumeria. The flower can be identified by its bright yellow color with a white border around the petals. Each petal can a slight pointed tip. The tree branches are sprawled out from each giving a more open look.
Common Names
Graveyard Yellow
Celadine
Bird of Paradise (strelitzia reginae)
The name of the flower derives from its colorful shape, which resembles a crane's head. Another common name for the bird of paradise of the crane flower. The flower is native to subtropical coasts of southern Africa and thrive in warm regions such as Hawaii.
They can grow up to 5 feet high and and up to 5 feet in width. The flower thrives best in full sunlight. They have a strong resistance to salt and are adaptable to multiple types of soil.
Kumulāʻau = tree
Hala tree (pandanus tectorius)
The hala tree or the pandanus tectorius tree is native to Melenesia, and some parts of Australia. These trees can be found on all Hawaiian Islands except Kaho'olawe. The tree can grow up to 20-30 feet in height and 15-35 feet in diameter. These trees can be male or female. Female trees produce a large fruit similar to a pineapple. Male trees grow large clusters of tiny flowers, in Hawaiian they are called hinano.
In Hawaiian culture this tree was utilized in multiple different ways. The leaves were used for weaving mats, hats, and for their houses. The hala fruit was used for food. The trunk of the trees was used for water pipes, posts, and calabashes. Throughout the Pacific these trees could be found, most likely one of the seeds was brought to the islands by the Polynesian people.
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