Kamani

Calophyllum inophyllum

Clusiaceae (garcinia family)

Canoe plant

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