Ko

Kō is commonly known as Hawaiian sugarcane. It is native to southern Asia. There are 76 varieties of Kō that grew in Hawai`i, including several that were hybrid. In 2016, Hawaii's last sugar mill closed in Pu`unēnē on Maui bringing an end to the era where at one point, Hawai`i's mills provided 20% of all the sugar that was consumed in the United States. In Samoa, it is known as Tolo.

Kō is a large perennial grass that can reach up to 15 feet high. The hard, thick stem is delineated by nodes and comes in a variety of colors - yellow, green, maroon, etc. It contains a fibrous sweet and juicy inside. On top of the stems are long blades which look like grass. Flowers appear as silky tassels at the tops of the stems. The seeds of the Kō are contained within the tassels.

Kō thrives in tropical climates and sunny areas.

Traditional Cultural and Medicinal Usages

• Kō provides a good source of sugar and fiber
• Children were given pieces of Kō to chew as a means of strengthening gums and teeth