ʻĀhinahina or hinahina, is ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi for grey (or gray). Several plants fit that descriptor, and they dwell in a variety of locations, from sea level to mountain heights. This particular ʻāhinahina (Artemisia mauiensis) is, if you noted its species name, indeed of Maui, ʻāpaʻakuma i luna Haleakalā.
On subalpine slopes (think 7,000 feet or so), fed by fogs and mists, Maui ʻāhinahina ekes out a living, managing to survive where many plants can’t. It’s impossible to miss, given its silvery-white, extremely delicate foliage, contrasting with dark lava or cinder. Though pua are small and pale yellow, what a beauty this is!
The white or silver color is an adaptation to very harsh sunlight. Thousands of minute hairs coat leaves, allowing the sun’s rays to bounce and not burn. Ditto for ʻāhinahina silversword, another denizen of the heights, as well as for coastal ʻāhinahina kahakai, with tight rosettes of leaves favored for lei on Molokaʻi.
Loveliness aside, it’s said that lau ʻāhinahina Maui were also used as insect repellent, thanks to a sage-like scent. Leaves were layered amongst stored ahu ʻula to make sure bugs stayed away.
Can you imagine a lei poʻo of these lau? And lucky for us, it requires hardly any precious water. It’s available in some plant nurseries, Go! Go buy and plant!! Help perpetuate our precious heritage!
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