`Ohai

`Ohai is a low, sprawling shrub with red flowers found along the beach. It used to grow in dry areas on all of the main islands. However, destruction of its natural habitats has diminished its availability. Another variation of `Ohai is treelike in form and can grow up to 15' tall.

'Ohai gets its silvery color from the many fine hairs that cover the leaves. Each leaf is composed of many oval leaflets. There are 2 to 9 pea-shaped flowers in each cluster hanging below the foliage. The flowers are about 1" in circumference and range in color from salmon to red, with on occasion the rare appearance of pure yellow.

The following Hawaiian proverb describes the place where 'Ohai in abundance grows. It is in Mt. Ka'ala where the goddess of travelers Kaiona resides.

Ke kaha ‘ohai o Kaiona.

Kaiona's place where the ‘ohai grows. (Pukui, K. ‘Olelo No‘eau')

Traditional Cultural and Medicinal Usages

• Flowers were favored by the early Hawaiians for making lei