Kou

Kou is also known by the names of Kerosene wood, Glueberry and Snottygobbles. It is widespread throughout Polynesia, the entire Pacific region, tropical Asia and East Africa. Legend tells the story of an arrogant young Hawaiian chiefess who lived in Ewa on O`ahu. She tried to bully a kupuna (elder) into giving her the kou lei she was stringing. Little did she know that the kupuna had a close relationship with sharks. One day, the sharks asked the kupuna what to do with the chiefess. Tired of the badgering, she said they could do anything they wanted. They ate the chiefess. Her red blood remains on the rocks to this day. And, the people of Ewa don't wear leis of kou. Other names of the plant include: Kalimasada (Java), Tauanave (American Samoa), Puataukanave (Tonga), Kalau (Palau), Niyoron (Guam), Ikoak (Kosrae), Anau (Chuuk) and Nawanawa (Fiji).

Kou is one of the most useful wood trees in Hawai`i. It can grow up to 40 feet high making for a good shade tree. The erect trunk is light grey in color with noticeable grooves. The smooth, large oval leaves are about 4 inches in length and have a rounded base that ends in a point. They have wavy edges and are alternately arranged. The midrib and veins are prominent. Kou fruit grows in clusters. From green, the 1 inch round fruit eventually turns dark brown-black in color as it dries and hardens. Within each pod are from 1 to 4 seeds. The beautiful tangerine-orange colored flower of Kou also grows in clusters. The unscented flower is about an inch long and in diameter with 5 to 7 lobes. The texture is like soft crepe paper with crinkled edges.

Most Kou bloom year round. The tree prefers sunny, warm leeward coastal lowlands. Once established, it is drought-resistant.

Traditional Cultural and Medicinal Usages

• Kou wood is easy to work with. Since the sap has no unpleasant taste, it was prized for making calabashes
• It was also used in the making of canoes, paddles and fish hooks
• Flowers were strung into lei
• Leaves were used to make a brown dye for designing kapa
• Tree is considered to contain spiritual power (Java)