Loulu hiwa

Loulu is the Hawaiian word that refers to all varieties of the native fan palm. Due to its similarity in shape, the umbrella is called "loulu" as well. Pritchardia comprises 25 species of which 19 of are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Loulu hiwa, P. martii, is also known as Ko`olau range pritchardia and Noulu.

Loulu hiwa is a small to medium sized fan palm with cotapalmate leaves. Although slow growing, it can reach 30 feet or more in height and spread to 8 to 10 inches wide. The sharp green petioles are irregularly shaped, papery ligules with a silvery bronze furry underside. The yellow flowers of the Loulu hiwa are waxy, short and open tubular in shape with about 6 anthers that line the edges. After flowering, dark green fruits appear, which are about 1 ½ inches around.

Loulu hiwa can be found on vertical cliffs, and in depressions of the Ko`olau and Wai`anae mountain ranges. In full sun, they grow more compactly. Loulu hiwa is drought tolerant.

Native to Hawai'i, the Pritchardia martii enjoys moist to wet forest habitats in valleys and on exposed ridges and cliffs up to 2,700 feet in elevation. Loulu hiwa is endemic to O'ahu (the Ko'olau Mountains and southern Wai'anae Mountains, specificaly) and can grow up to 30 feet tall. This species has been given the specific name Loulu hiwa, which means “dark loulu” in Hawaiian, referring to its fruits.

Loulu hiwa is considered one of the more common Loulu species with estimates of up to 10,000 found in the wild. Loulu hiwa has a canopy spread of 8 to 10 feet and is slow growing, to a maximum height of 12 feet. Bees and other insects are attracted to the yellow flowers. After flowering, large roundish to olive-shaped greenish-blackish fruits are produced in generous amounts.

Traditional Cultural Uses

• The young fruits of the Loulu, called hāwane or wāhane, have soft interior flesh and a taste similar to coconut They were peeled and eaten by early Hawaiians
• The fronds, or leaves, called lau hāwane were used for thatching and more recently for plaiting hats and fans

Traditional Cultural Usages

• Young fruits called hāwane were peeled for food
• Leaves were used to erect temporary heiau loulu to gods of fishing
• Leaves were also used as protection from the rain, as well as in weaving
• The trunk was used to make spears
• In combination with other plants, Loulu hiwa was used to treat thrush and other ailments of general debility in children and adults