Front Page | Site Index | Hawai`i News | Sports | Columns | Arts
Hawaiian Culture | Hula | Additional Sites
Classes | Tours | Shopping

Na Hulu Manu o Hawai`i 
The Precious Things of Hawai`i
Polynesian Introduction Plants

Niu
Coconut

     Brought by the early Polynesian settlers, the niu remains a symbol of Hawai`i. "Graceful" and "stately" are two of the more common adjectives used to describe these trees. Less common, but more important to the early Hawaiians, is "useful."  The coconut provided food, drink, shelter, wood, tools, and bandages. It also figured in many legends, and because of its upright growth habit and lofty character had a figurative or poetic connotation of morality and spiritual correctness. Thus, a child named "Kaniu" was not necessarily named "Coconut," but "Righteous." In this respect, some old Hawaiian names are similar to old Christian names, such as "Charity," or "Chastity." The coconut was so important, that to cut down one had to first plant two more. Failure to do so was tantamount to declaring war on the chief to whom they belonged.

     In Hilo, coconut trees still stand sentinal before older homes, and line neighborhood streets, providing refreshment and beauty to local families.

     Unfertilized and imperfect blossoms drop off, as those which were pollinated begin to grow.

     After several months, the coconuts are large and filled with sweet water. As the coconut matures, the water feeds the flesh lining the inner shell. At first the flesh is soft and translucent, like jelly - and is a great delicacy. Gradually it becomes harder, opaque white, and oily.

     For commercial sale and shipping, the older hard coconuts are selected and the husks peeled off. This hard coconut meat is grated and squeezed to make the rich oily coconut "milk" often used as a base in Polynesian recipes.

     Here, haupia, a traditional Hawaiian dessert, has been made from the coconut milk.