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The Wonderful Kukui Tree

The Kukui or Candlenut tree (Aleurites moluccana L.) is the state tree of Hawai'i and the symbol of the `Aha Kupuna, the Council of Elders of the Nation of Hawai`i. Native to Southeast Asia, it was apparently brought to the islands by early Polynesian settlers.

Acarved Kukui nut shell, pierced to be used as a bead, and fashioned between 1860 and 1920. The thick wall of the shell allows for deep carving. This unusual one is gadrooned all around. (Diameter 25 mm)

Donated by Barbara Farrell

The beautiful silvery-green leafed tree (click here for more images of the tree by Dr. Carr of the University of Hawai'i) provides shade and many products (see below). The use that gave it the name of "candlenut tree" was to string the husked nuts up a palm frond rib. Then they would be lit from top to bottom (often the duty of the children) to give light into the night.

While I knew about this ornamental nut (these two beads have been in the Center's collection for many years), it wasn't until I began corresponding with Barbara Farrell, who lives in Hawai'I, that I was made aware of all of its many uses and lore.

A Song about a Bead: Lei Kukui (Hawaiian Anniversary Song) by Victor "Lanakila" Rittenband

I'm giving you a kukui nut lei
To celebrate again our wedding day
The years we've left behind us
Always will remind us
The joys and tears, the hopes and fears
We faced them, come what may

So I'm giving you a kukui nut lei
It means so many things I want to say
It's hope and health and sharing
Warmth and light and caring
And all my love forever and a day

Above: a brown Kukui nut, somewhat less common than the black and a very rare red mottled one.

Right two smaller (18 mm) black Kukui nuts. The carved black one and the two nuts above date from 1860 to 1920. The plain back one was found by Barbara Farrell.

Donated by Barbara Farrell

Some Uses of the Kukui Tree:

(Note: Tapa is a local cloth madefrom the bark of the paper mulberry, breadfruit, and other trees)

Nut Husks: Pierced, sometimes carved and worn in traditional leis (garlands) or carved into pendants. They have also been mounted in gold and used in finer jewelry.

Nuts:

1. Medicinal: Strong purgative. In combination with other plants, used to treat skin ulcers, rheumatic joints, and deep bruises and wounds. There is some evidence that small amounts of the roasted nut reduce blood pressure.

2. Food: The nut is slightly poisonous, but the toxin is removed by roasting. Small amounts of the roasted, chopped nuts are flavored with salt and sometimes chili peppers and eaten as the condiment Inamona.

3. Soot from burned nut: Used to dye tapa, for tattoos, and to stain surfboards.

4. Crushed roasted kernels: Spread out on the sea surface, allow one to peer into the deep, as it acts like a lens. The Hawai'ian proverb "When the kukui nut is spat on the water, the sea is smooth" is equivalent to "pouring oil on troubled waters."

5. Oil extracted: Used to varnish and preserve wood, to waterproof fishing nets and paper, as a paint oil, in soapmaking, as a substitute for rubber products, and as an insulating material. In the early 19^th century up to as 10,000 gallons (37,850 l) were exported, principally to the Russians in Alaska as a substitute for linseed oil.

6. Burned for illumination: On a palm leaf rib, as mentioned above, but also in stone lamps and torches.

Flowers: Strung into garlands. Parents chew the white flowers to use to heal mouth sores (thrush) of children.

Leaves: Strung into garlands representing Moloka'I, whose color is silvery green.

Sap: Used for moth sores, chapped lips, cold sores, and mild sunburns. Also a strong purgative.

Inner bark: Yields a dark red dye used for tapa and fishnets; tannin in the dye strengthens nets and preserves them.

Gum: Strengthens tapa. The Hawai'ian proverb "The gum sticks to the candlenut tree" refers to a parasite or a child clinging to its mother.

Trunk: Made into canoes and fishing net weights.

Is it any wonder the Polynesians brought it along?

Thanks go to:
Barbara Farrell for information and samples
and to the following web pages for further information:

http://www.hawaii-nation.org/canoe/kukui.html

http://www.geobop.com/World/NA/US/HI/Tree.htm

http://apdl.kcc.hawaii.edu/~ahupuaa/botany/other/kukui.htm

http://www.huapala.org/Lei_Kukui.html

http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/bridges/leiday/default.htm
The 72^nd Annual Lei Day Competition (1999). Kukui was often used.
Slow to download, but interesting pictures.

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