Naʻ u - Hawaiian Gardenia
-na Kalimapau
Olelo noʻ eau...#1754...Ke kololio ka hau o uka, ko mai ka nae ʻ aʻ ala o ke kiele...When the dew-laden breeze of the upland creeps swiftly down it brings with it the fragrance of the gardenias. Said of one who comes with happy tidings...
Hawaiian Proverbs & Political Sayings Collected Translated and Annotated by MARY KAWENA PUKUI
The Hawaiian Civic Club of Wahiawā Club Flower
Naʻu or Nanu... Hawaiian Gardenia with seven white petals...
Lei of naʻu were prized and preferred for their fragrance. In the legend of Kaʻala and Kaʻaialiʻi, the women of Lanaʻi presented floral tributes to Kamehameha and others when they came to Kealia for sport. These consisted of lei of naʻu, plaited with pili grass and wound with maile. [2002 Environment Hawaiʻi, Inc.]
Naʻu or nanu is an extremely rare plant. Magnificent forests of old would be covered with naʻu, ʻiliahi, lama, olopua, ohe makai, ʻahakea, ʻalaʻa, ʻakoko, and ʻaiea. The naʻu resembles the tiare or Tahitian gardenia. The tiare has an even number of white petals while the naʻu and has seven petals with seven yellow pistils...they are easily mistaken for one another...traditionally naʻu woods were fashioned into anvils called kua kuku...during the second kapa-beating stage, the bast fibers were separated and softened on the kua kuku, while the fruit was used to make a yellow dye for kapa...
Hawaiian Proverbs & Political Sayings Collected Translated and Annotated by MARY KAWENA PUKUI
The Hawaiian Civic Club of Wahiawā Club Flower
Naʻu or Nanu... Hawaiian Gardenia with seven white petals...
Lei of naʻu were prized and preferred for their fragrance. In the legend of Kaʻala and Kaʻaialiʻi, the women of Lanaʻi presented floral tributes to Kamehameha and others when they came to Kealia for sport. These consisted of lei of naʻu, plaited with pili grass and wound with maile. [2002 Environment Hawaiʻi, Inc.]
Naʻu or nanu is an extremely rare plant. Magnificent forests of old would be covered with naʻu, ʻiliahi, lama, olopua, ohe makai, ʻahakea, ʻalaʻa, ʻakoko, and ʻaiea. The naʻu resembles the tiare or Tahitian gardenia. The tiare has an even number of white petals while the naʻu and has seven petals with seven yellow pistils...they are easily mistaken for one another...traditionally naʻu woods were fashioned into anvils called kua kuku...during the second kapa-beating stage, the bast fibers were separated and softened on the kua kuku, while the fruit was used to make a yellow dye for kapa...
"e kūkaʻawe i nā kapu o Kūkaniloko nō ka mea aloha nō hoʻi kākou iā lākou i nā kau a kau..."
“to guard the kapu of Kūkaniloko because we love them for all time…”
“to guard the kapu of Kūkaniloko because we love them for all time…”