Ahhh, kōlea…not the manu, this, the tree. Or trees.
Just as manu kōlea change plumage before flying thousands of miles north, sometimes confounding us with their new look, kumu lāʻau kōlea are similarly deceptive. Plant taxonomists, those in charge of correctly naming, all too often change names so that earliest given correct names are used. We’ve grown accustomed to new names for old friends.
But…kōlea, the trees found on our islands – except for Niʻihau and Kahoʻolawe – are so varied that scientists have used genetics to clarify relationships. Who got here first? It seems that the original kōlea arrived on Kauaʻi then evolved into about 20 different species, with many hybrids.
And it’s important work, because our kōlea are exceedingly useful trees.
Timber has been used for various purposes, including for parts of waʻa, for kua kapa, and for house posts; while bark, fruits, and charcoal were used for dye. As with other endemic plants, variety matters. Which one is chosen for a particular purpose will depend on the desired outcome. This shade or that of color? Red? Rust? Orange? Something unusual?
