Kulu'i

Kuluī or Nototrichium sandwicense is a Hawai'ian endemic plant found on all the main Hawaiian islands at elevations below 2,400 feet. It grows in open dry forests, exposed ridges, and lava fields.

Kuluī can be a shrub or a small tree, but it is usually branched from the base rather than having a single trunk. It can reach heights of 12 to 20 feet, but is generally around 6 feet tall. The light gray trunk is mottled in a diamond pattern. The fuzzy, silvery leaves are variable in size and shape. They are usually oval and range from 1 to 4 inches long and are half as wide. The twigs are also covered with silvery or pale brown hairs. The insignificant flowers occur in stout woolly spikes. Kuluī are drought resistant and stand up well to continuous wind and salt spray.

Cultural Uses

• Kuluī leaves can be made into an attractive maile lei