Kiawe

The Kiawe tree is a species of the mesquite tree, also known as the Algaroba. It is native to South America and was brought to Hawai`i in 1827 by the first Catholic missionary to the islands, Sacred Hearts Father Alexis Bachelot. He brought the seed from the Royal Garden in Paris to provide shade in the barren new mission field. A section of the trunk is preserved next to the chancery building on the property of the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace on Fort Street in Honolulu. In the Hawaiian language, kiawe also means "to sway," as in the graceful motion of its branches. Kiawe blooms in the spring. It prefers arid climates and can even grow in salty water. Other names for the tree are: American Carob, Algarrobo (Spain) and Huarango (South America).

Kiawe can reach over 40 feet in height providing a wide canopy for underbrush. The trunk of the tree is twisted with a very strong tap root which makes it nearly indestructible. Kiaweʻs lifespan can reach up to 1,000 years. The bi-pinnate compound leaves are delicate green and consist of about 30-60 pairs of leaflets about ¼ inch to 1 inch in size. The small yellowish flowers are attractive to honey bees and yield a delicious honey. The long brown seed is slightly curved in shape and sweet in taste. One needs to be careful not to step on the long thorns on the branches that are so sharp that they can even pierce a tire.

Traditional Cultural and Medicinal Usages

• Kiawe wood has been used for building fences, firewood and for smoking meats
• Bean pods were fed to horses
• Kiawe honey is mild in flavor
• Leaves can be used as a poultice for relieving pain and preventing infection
• Kiawe seedss have been ground into a healthy gluten-free flour known as Wai`anae Gold Kiawe Bean Pod Flour thanks to the vision of Vince Dodge in Wai`anae