Kukui
English Name:
Candlenut, Tung Tree
Scientific Name:
Aleurites Moluccanus
Description:
Trees, to 25 m tall, silvery-gray powder on leaves. -data.bishopmuseum.org
Habitat:
Common in mesic valleys especially between 0–700 m on most main islands - data.bishopmuseum.org
Propagation:
Sow the hard seeds in moist sowing & cutting soil and cover with foil or glass. Put away in a sunny, warm spot, so germination can occur after three to four months. The germination can be stimulated by cracking the seeds before sowing. However, this may also damage the seeds. -onszaden.com
ʻŌlelo Noʻeau:
#695 - He kiu ka pua kukui na ka makani. The kukui blossoms are a sign of wind. When the kukui trees shed their blossoms, a strong wind is blowing - Puku‘i, ‘Ōlelo No‘eau
#1347- Ka iʻa kaʻa poepoe o Kalapana, ʻīnaʻi ʻuala o Kaimū. The round, rolling fish of Kalapana, to be eaten with the sweet potato of Kaimū. The kukui nut, cooked and eaten as a relish. This is from a hoʻopāpā riddling chant in the story of Kaipalaoa, a boy of Puna, Hawaiʻi, who went to Kauaʻi to riddle with the experts there and won.
#1474 - Ka malu hālau loa o ke kukui. The long shelter of the kukui trees. A kukui grove shelters like a house - Pukui, ‘Ōlelo No‘eau
Making Lei Lau Kukui
Learning about Kukui from our Kūpuna, Aunty Alona Quatero
Gathering lau kukui
Hipuʻu style lei- using knots to connect the lau
Lei Lau Kukui!
Making Lama Kukui
Gather kukui nuts from the ground
Put the kukui into a pakini of water and remove the floaters
Cool roasted kukui and remove the nuts from their shells
Put the kukui nuts on niau (coconut mid-rib)
He lama kukui!
Each kukui nut can burn for about 10-15 minutes
Making & Playing Hū Kukui
Find kukui nuts on the ground
Use a sander to make a puka at the top
Insert a toothpick or other small stick into the puka
![](https://www.google.com/images/icons/product/drive-32.png)
Spin your top!