Kamani

In one of the Hawaiian legends of Kana and the rescue of Hina, it is told that the only way to fight the chief Ka-pepe'e-kauila who abducted Kana's mother from his father, Hakalanileo, was to destroy all the kamani trees on the hill of Haupu where Ka-pepe'e lived. For, when the kamani were merely pruned, Ka-pepe'e was able to cause the hill to grow higher. Thus, was Kana able to destroy the power of Haupu. 1

Kamani is also known as the Alexandrian Laurel. True Kamani is not to be confused with false Kamani, "Kamani Haole" (Teminalia catappa) which is a tropical almond found along beach shores providing shade. The Kamani is native to the Pacific and Africa. Other names of the tree include: Polynesian Mahogany, Pacific Mahogany, Beach Mahogany, Tamanu (Cook Islands), Dilo (Fiji), Fetau (Samoa, Tonga), Ati (Tahiti), Bitok (Philippines), Hong hou ke (China), Punnai (India) and Mtomondo (Swahili).

Kamani is a large shade tree that can reach up to 60' high. The 3'-8' long leaves are large, glossy, stiff and oval in shape. They are arranged opposite to each other. Prallel veins course down the leaf from a raised yellow-green midrib. The bark of the tree is rough and grey in color.

The flowers of the Kamani grown in clusters that hang from a thin green stalk. They are white, about 1" wide with 4-8 petals, and have the fragrance of orange blossoms. The petals are firm and waxy with yellow stamens and a pink pistil.

The fruit of the tree is round and changes from coral to green in color as it matures. Inside the ripe fruit is a cork-like substance that surrounds the seed or nut. It is slightly poisonous like the kukui. Mature fruit can be collected in late spring.

Kamani grow best in well-drained areas with a water source.

Traditional Cultural and Medicinal Usages

• Bark resin useful in treatment of ulcers
• Reddish-brown hardwood used for making containers that can hold food, such as calabashes; canoes and building
• Flowers used to scent kapa, or string in lei
• Oil used for healing skin conditions and massage; waterproofing kapa