Hau

In the old days the Hau plant was so highly valued that permission to cut it was required of the village chief. Also known as the Beach hibiscus, Hau is a spreading shrub that forms a jungle of interwoven, twisted springy arching branches. In the Hawaiian language, hau also means "cool," as in a cool wind. One Hawaiian legend tells how the sister of Hina, goddess of the moon, was changed into a hau tree. Hau is also known as the kino lau (body form) of the Mānoa wind. In Samoa, the plant is called Fau.

Hau is a true hibiscus, as the flowers have five crepe-like petals with a central column. The 2"-3" long bright yellow cup-shaped flowers have dark purple centers. As the day goes by, the flower changes color to orange and then to reddish-brown, before it falls off the plant usually by the following morning. Hau leaves are heart-shaped and round, from 2"-12" in diameter. They are leathery, with a smooth surface, while the underside is velvety and consists of matted white hairs. Sometimes the leaf edges are scalloped, but usually not.

Hau grows well near the ocean, streams, and in moist sloping areas up to 2,000 foot elevation.

Traditional Cultural and Medicinal Usages

• The soft wood can be used in making fires, as well as light-weight spears, massage sticks, fishing floaters, etc.
• Bark was used to make cordage for sewing materials, canoe lashing, sandals and carrying handles for water gourds
• Flowers were used to relieve chest congestion
• Chewing of leaf buds was said to relieve dry throats