Acacia-koa-flowers

KOA (ACACIA KOA)

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

  • mature trees have sickle shaped expanded leaf stems rather than true leaves
  • seedlings and root sprouts have true leaves, made up of numerous tiny leaflets
  • true leaves are better adapted to moist, shady conditions characteristic of seedlings habitat
  • leaf stems better adapted to drier, upper canopy with more light

HAWAIIAN RAIN FOREST ECOLOGY

  • large trees in Niaulani probably old growth, protected from the logging that removed the koa from other forests
  • fast-growing
  • canopy tree; part of top most layer in forest
  • ability to sprout new shoots from roots of mature trees
  • one of few native plants that can easily reestablish after fires

TRADITIONAL HAWAIIAN USES

  • most commonly used tree to carve canoes, felled laboriously with stone adze
  • if `elepaio birds pecked at the felled koa logs, they were rejected as canoe material because of insect damage
  • one of the hardwood species carved into spears
  • carved into bowls or containers for non-food storage
  • one of few trees fashioned into surfboards
  • leaves used to induce sleep
  • ashes used to treat lesions
acacia-koa-tree
A trunk of a Hawaiian rain forest Koa tree

SAY IT IN HAWAIIAN!