Plant – Pau o Hiiaka

Pau o Hiʻiaka

Description: Strand plants with small alternating leaves with light to dark green color. They have small white paper thin flowers. They can be found almost crawling on the ground.

Moʻolelo(Story): “One day, according to ancient Hawaiian legend, Pele, the volcano goddess, took her favorite baby sister Hi‘iaka with her to the beach. The waves were up and the fishing was good. Pele went out into the water, leaving baby Hi‘iaka on the beach. The waves got bigger and better, the fish were biting like crazy, and Pele stayed out in the water. The sun was getting hotter and hotter too. On the beach, baby Hi‘iaka was uncomfortable and getting papa‘a (burnt). The gods and a little viny beach plant with blue flowers felt sorry for Hi‘iaka. The vine quickly grew over Hi‘iaka and protected her from the harsh Hawaiian sun. That is how it got the name pa‘u (the skirt, or women’s garment) of Hi‘iaka.”

ʻōlelo mua (Introduction):

Inoa(Name):

  • Scientific – Jacquemontia sandwicensis
  • Hawaiian – 
    • Kaupoʻo,
    • Kākuaohiʻiaka
    • Pāʻū o Hiʻiaka
    • Pāʻūohiʻiaka
  • English – Oval-leaf clustervin

ʻOhana: Part of Convolvulaceae family

Kūlana olakino(Status): Endemic  

Pests: Very few

Lāʻau lapaʻau(Medicinal Use):

  • Leaves of this plant were often used as a cathartic as well as to treat babies with thrush.

Ways it was Used:

  • The vines were braided and used to make lashing when other fibers were unavailable.

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

Hoʻohana Hiʻohiʻona ʻāina(Utilize Landscape):

  • Accent
  • Erosion Control
  • Ground Cover
    • Makes good and interesting groundcover, especially when planted with other native groundcover plants. Also does well in large pots or hanging basket.

Nū hou Hiʻohiʻona ʻāina(Landscape Information):

  • This is an excellent vining groundcover and can be planted in sandy or salty soil or locations prone to salt spray where other plants would perish.

  • Although best adapted to sandy or gravelly substrates, it will also grow reasonably well in heavier soils, including clays.

Pua:

  • Yes, Uliului(blue) and keokeo(white)
  • Nū hou Pua(Flower Information):
    • vine has small white or pale blue flowers
  • Wā Pua(Blooming Period):
    • Year Round
    • January
    • February
    • March
    • April
    • May
    • June
    • July
    • December
  • Nū hou Wā Pua(Flower Blooming Information): 
    • Pāʻūohiʻiaka flowers throughout the year, but primarily from December to July
  • Hoʻomomona lepo(Fertilizer):
    • Fertilize with 8-8-8 if the plants are growing slow or need a boost
  • Nū hou Paʻipaʻi(Trim Information):
    • Trim growing points to encourage branching and keep plants confined to a growing area
  • Tolerances
    • Drought
    • Brackish Water
    • Wind
    • Salt Spray
    • Heat
  • Lepo(soil):
    • Clay
    • Sand
    • Cinder
    • Coral

Nū hou Kaianoho(Habitat):

  • Terrestrial
  • Member of the Morning glory family (Convolvulaceae), which comprises some 1,650 species throughout the world.

 

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