Hibiscus tiliaceus -- Hau
Hibiscus tiliaceus -- Hau.
Hau is a large shrub to medium tree-sized plant with swooping long branches that often trail on the ground, forming impenetrable thickets. They grow readily at the coast, as well as in moist mountain valleys. The heart-shaped attractive leaves are medium to dark green. Flowers, which show their hibiscus family relation, are yellow, with a dark center. In a day or two, they turn color to orange, red and dark red and fall off.
When a branch is cut, the bark is easily stripped off in long strands. The fibers of the inner bark are very strong and provided the most important source of everyday cordage for the Hawaiians. The fibers are extracted from the bark by "retting" or allowing it to break down in water and eventually washing away the softer tissures leaving the soft, silvery-white fibers. The Hawaiians used Hau cordage to lash together almost every major structure like houses and canoes .
Its light balsa-like wood was used as fishing floats and booms of canoes, especially because of the natural curved shape of many hau stems. It was also used as kapu markers on beaches where fishing was restricted. Leaves were used as mulch for dryland kalo cultivation.
The juice of bark and flower was used as mild laxative, for congested chest, and in childbirth. Photos by Priscilla Millen.
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