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Natural History

Pua Kenikeni, Ten-Cent Flower
(Fragraea berteriana)

"Ten-cent flower" or pua kenikeni was the name given to this flower by the lei sellers who worked the Honolulu Harbor docks. When a strand of crown flowers or 50 plumeria sold for a quarter, this lei was very dear at 10 cents a bloom. It puts things into perspective when you consider that it takes about 45 pua kenikeni blossoms to make a 40-inch single lei and at least 100 blossoms for a 40-inch double lei or lei kui poepoe.

The pua kenikeni tree, a member of the strychnine family, is a South Pacific native, first planted in a garden in Oahu at the end of the 19th century. It was introduced by Jarrett P. Wilder in the late 1800's and it is believed that the first tree was planted in Maunawili on Oahu. The shrubs or trees have a hard, white wood and roughly quadrangular branches.

In the legends of Tahiti, the pua tree (as it is known there) is sacred to Tane, god of the forests, for he brought the first of its kind to earth from the tenth heaven. Images of Tane were always made from the pua wood.

From April through November, the tree or shrub produces two-inch long, five-petal white tubular flowers in clusters at the ends of branches. Hawaiians embraced the flowers, loving to see them bloom creamy white then turn to butter yellow and golden orange by the end of the second day. The fragrant blossoms attracted the attention of many residents of Oahu's windward side and soon the flower was adopted as "the flower of Kaneohe." (For a long time, it was only grown on Oahu's windward side. It has since spread to all the islands.)

The strong, intoxicating fragrance of pua kenikeni has been described as heavenly. Tahitians infuse coconut oil with the blossoms for a tropical perfume.

And Hawaiian songs praise the fragrance and the beauty of the flower lei. One song, by Flora Waipa, says: "My desire is for the pua kenikeni/Its fragrance reaches within my bosom. Inhale its fragrance/Brought here by the dew." Another song. Lei Pua Kenikeni, by J. K. Almeida, calls it "the beloved lei"

The bark of the plant is infused by Tongans to make a tea that is sometimes drunk to treat improperly healed internal injuries.

 

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Arts & Culture

Kealia Pond
(A National Wildlife Refuge)

Located between Kihei and Maalaea, on both sides of North Kihei Road (also called the Piilani Highway), Kealia Pond, a saltwater marsh at the head of Maalaea Bay, was designated a state wildlife refuge in 1953, and then designated as a national wildlife sanctuary in 1992. It is overseen by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge headquarters is off the Mokulele Highway outside of Kihei near milepost 6.

The 691-acre refuge attracts 30 species of birds, including waterfowl, shorebirds and migratory ducks, particularly in the winter. Hawaiian stilts, an endangered species, can sometimes be seen wading in the water. According to local historian, Inez Ashdown, the kukulaeo, Hawaiian stilts, once were migratory, but for some unknown reason remained on Maui, "the only favored place where they now live." Ashdown says the birds were considered messenger birds from spirit ancestors who warn the people not to destroy the ponds of Kanaha-Ma'oni ponds at Kahului or the Kealia pond at Maalaea.
Kealia Pond is also a home for populations of Hawaiian coots, Hawaiian ducks, and black-crowned night herons. At the turn of the century, the pond was 6 - 8 feet deep. It has since been filled in by soil runoff from the surrounding sugarcane fields. Today it is only 1 or 2 feet deep.

Separated from the ocean by Maalaea Beach, the pond is fed by streams from both sides of the island and its water level continually fluctuates throughout the year. In summer the pond water level recedes resulting in brackish salty water, perfect for the native species to teach their young to feed on exposed fish and invertebrates in the mud.

However, non-native plant species are always threatening to choke the open waters and food is scarce because of competition from aggressive, invasive avian species like the cattle egret. The egret was originally brought from California to control ranch insects. They are the species that is most out of control.

The size of the pond is noticeably increased by flow from Waikapu Stream, originating in the West Maui Mountains and from Kolaloa Gulch, coming from the slopes of Haleakala during the rainy season.

Migratory birds that put in an appearance include the Pacific golden plovers or kolea, which fly at least 2500 miles from Alaska to Hawaii every winter, between December and February. Some kolea continue on to the South Pacific Islands like Samoa.

Also living around the pond and most prevalent during the winter and early spring are clouds of mindless midges (a tiny, irritating, imported bug) that are the bane of the area's residents and tourists passing through the area with their convertible tops down.

The "Turtle Xing" signs along the road refer to hawksbill turtles. In the past the turtles would occasionally cross the road in late spring and early summer to lay eggs in the pond. Sometimes they got squished in traffic. The fencing along the beach prevents the turtles from crossing the road any more, and they now lay their eggs on the beach, but that's the only time you're likely to see them. They live and feed in deeper water far from the shore.

Little is known about the history of the pond in ancient times. The word "kealia" means "encrusted with salt" and it is said that its "most excellent salt" was made using the salt pans in the immediate vicinity of the pond. There are ditches and sluice gates that were built at least 400 years ago to let fish stock -- probably milkfish (awa) and mullet (amaama) and other near-shore fish into the pond. A fishing shrine, koa, or possible heiau platform stands near the site.

Ashdown says the pond was attributed to King Umi-a-Liloa after the death of Piilani in Lahaina. She says there's some argument about why Kealia was called "the pond of Kalepolepo." One story says Chief Umi made his people carry him atop the huge akua stone which was placed at one part of the pond. The load was so heavy that the workmen dropped it and the king fell into the dust (lepolepo). She says the other story insists that the name of the area should be "Kalepa" meaning the fluttering of the flags of canoes there when the area was a port of call. The Kalepolepo name, they say, remained in use because it had become a windblown and dusty place since the plowing of the whole central valley of Maui to make room for the sugar cane fields.

Between the Pond and the condominiums and hotels at Maalaea is another important but shallow intermittently flooded tidal area called "Mud Flats." The birds use it during the winter and spring when it floods and move to Kealia Pond during the summer when it has dried out. This particular tidal flat was once the runway of Maalaea Airport, one of the first airports on Maui.

During World War II, the area containing the pond and the beach was used by the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions as a training site.

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Braddah-Nics Lexicon

STANDARD: Don't forget to take some of that.
BRADDAH-NICS: No forget take.

* * * * * * * *

STANDARD: Did I forget to give you this?
BRADDAH-NICS: What, I nevah give 'em to you already?

* * * * * * * *

STANDARD: I don't think you should take that.
BRADDAH-NICS: You bettah not take 'em.

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Local Grinds

Canton Shrimp

Makes: 6 Servings
 

Ingredients:

Procedure:

Shell and clean shrimp. Heat deep fat to 360 degrees F. Combine eggs and one cup water. Add flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt; mix lightly. Dip shrimp into batter; drop into fat and fry. Drain pineapple; add water to syrup to make one cup. Combine monosodium glutamate, vinegar, ketchup, syrup, sugar, soy sauce, hot pepper sauce, and two teaspoons salt into saucepan and bring to a boil. Mix in cornstarch and two tablespoons water. Cook for two more minutes, stirring constantly. Add pineapple; pour over shrimp. Sprinkle with sesame seed. Serve.

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Spotlight On…

The Garden Of The Gods - Lanai

Red dirt, weathered stones, not much vegetation to speak of; yet this place is known as a garden: the "Garden of the Gods" Ancient legend tells of a once fertile land upon which beautiful native plants grew in abundance and variety. Such beauty enthralled the gods and goddesses of Hawaii, committing them to the care and decoration of the Garden. A place of solace and inspiration, the gods came to create their art amongst the landscape; magnificent stones which rained from the sky, to be placed and formed as the gods so desired.

In current times, the "Garden" is oddly devoid of any substantial plant life, looking more akin to a lunar landscape than a thriving botanical paradise. Many a stone sculpture and formation(s) remain amidst the barren red desert sands; artfully placed as the gods so intended.

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