Plant – Aalii

ʻAʻaliʻi

Hōʻike ʻano (Description): low shrub or tree with shiny medium sized leaves resting on woody vines

ʻōlelo mua (Introduction):

Inoa(Name):

  • Scientific – Dodonaea viscosa
  • Hawaiian – ‘A‘ali‘i, ‘A‘ali‘i Kū Makani, ‘A‘ali‘i Kū Ma Kua, Kumakani

ʻOhana: Part of Sapindaceae family

Kūlana olakino(Status): Indigenous

Lāʻau lapaʻau(Medicinal Use):

  • When used with other plants (ala’a bark and puakala ku kula root) and grounded then strained. The liquid is heated in steam bath and can treat skin rash.

Ways it was Used:

  • Wood is hard and heavy and was sometimes used as house pots and spears.
  • The flowers were used in leis
  • The fruits were used for medicine and red dye

Kino lau(Many Forms taken by Supernatural body): None

ʻŌlelo Noeʻau: “[I] He ‘a‘ali‘i ku makani mai au; ‘a‘ohe makani nana e kula‘i.”

I am a wind-resting ‘a‘ali‘i; no gale can push me over. A boast meaning “I can hold my own even in the face of difficulities.” The ‘a‘ali‘i bush can stand the worst of gales, twisting and bending but seldom breaking off or falling over. [II] He hina na ka ‘a‘ali‘i kumakani, he ‘ula‘a pu me ka lepo. When the wind-resting ‘a‘ali‘i falls, it lifts the sod up with its roots. A boast: When I, a powerful man, fall, others will fall with me. [III] He iki ‘a‘ali‘i ku makani o Pi‘iholo. A small, wind-resting ‘a‘ali‘i bush of Pi‘iholo. A small but powerful person.“

Mele: “Hoa pili o ke ‘a‘ali‘i.” line in “Sweet Lei Mamo” (Elbert & Mahoe 1970:92).

Kaianoho(Habitat):

  • Found on open sites, ridges, lava, low pastures, shrublands, dry to mesic and wet forest except Kahoʻolawe.
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