Kuliouou Ridge Trail
clarkth (Premium member) > albums > Ipuka Pa O'ahu
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5 comments
Wow .. amazing photo.
said gyuri65
It can also be found as a small shrub only 6 inches high, or as towering forest trees. The seeds are air-dispersed, and readily adapt to a wide range of environments, as ‘ōhi‘a can be found growing in dry forests as well as bogs. It is often the first plant, along with ferns, to grow back after a fresh lava flow. ‘Ōhi‘a are the most dominant tree in the Hawaiian forest and are genetically healthy because of their large and diverse populations. They hybridize easily. The wood is hard, good for flooring and furniture, formerly used for images, spears, mallets. It was also used at stanchions for houses and canoes because of its strength, and because it is not difficult to find pieces straight and long enough for this purpose. This tree was of the most importance to bird catchers in ancient times. Hawaiians produced amazing pieces of feather work, full and half length capes, helmets and carved idols to name a few. The endemic Hawaiian Honeycreepers were the supply for these brilliantly colored feathers. These honeycreepers would drink the honey from the tree's blossoms, called lehua. This was the most opportune time for bird catchers to snare them. The birds were captured, a few feathers were plucked, then the bird was released. While they never intended to harm these birds, it is possible that some birds died as a result of the trauma. The ‘I‘iwi, a red and black honeycreeper with a curved beak, is today the most commonly found bird amongst the branches of the ‘ōhi‘a. Others join it, such as the ‘Apapane, whose feathers match the color of the red lehua blossom exactly.
said ourjrny
Here is a wonderful quote from ~ http://www.hinaadventures.com/culture/ohia.htm ~ The ‘Ōhi‘a is a mysterious looking tree, commanding respect at the sight of it. Many believe that if you pluck a the tree's lehua blossom while hiking, a misty rain will roll in and obscure your path back down. This rain is most often attributed to Pele, the volcano goddess, however the flowers hold more significance for her youngest sister, Hi‘iaka. The lehua flowers are sacred to her, and she does not like anyone taking them without permission. When in bloom, these trees are a sight to behold. Puffs of crimson dot the branches emerging from the gray, twisted-looking trunk... These trees loom over deep valleys, reminding us that they are of another world in which we dare not enter. Ōhi‘a is a Hawaiian endemic plant that appears in many forms... The flowers are most often red, but can also be salmon, orange, pink, yellow, and even white. Its leaves can range from rounded and furry to narrow and pointed.
said ourjrny
Google this and you will find a plethora of awesome links!! ~ Ohia lehua Metrosideros polymorpha red ohia lehua hawaii red bloom tree
said ourjrny
Oh yes!!!!!!!! This is what IZ called the "red Lehua flower" in one of his songs where he identifies the flower which represents each island! This tree is enormous and extraordinarily beautiful!! It is a Hawai'ian native and sacred to the people of Hawai'i!! I googled [red lehua kuliouou ridge o'ahu] and here is the first link I found, which is a nice little write up on the beautiful and sacred tree and it's significance ~ http://www2.hawaii.edu/~turner/hikes2/kuliou-pl.html ~ And here is a short quote of Dr. Roger Sorrell's article ~ "Some distance after the trail shelter, you'll encounter a Banyan tree that stands almost as some protective forest guardian. And indeed, when you pass through it, you'll come out into an enchanted area--native Hawaiian forest. Most of the usual native plants, except koa, are here. The forked-branching, thick stands of Uluhe fern (Dicranopteris linearis) confirm you're in a new land. You'll see the large, twining vine, I'e i'e, (Freycinetia arborea)which has a brilliant orange flower in the fall, and huge, corn-on-the-cob like seed pods. The Ohi'a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha), a sacred tree of the Hawaiians, has red pompom flowers and its branches of small leaves often cluster like little green clouds."
said ourjrny
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