Saccharum officinarum -- Ko, or sugar

Saccharum officinarum -- Ko, or sugar Ko is a grass plant, and Hawaiians had many different kinds, or cultivars. Planted near the houses, stalks could be cut and chewed by the children. Ko was also planted as a hedge to protect other crops and on the banks of taro terraces. Stalks were cut and pounded, then squeezed by hand to release the sweet juice. The juice was used as sweetening for puddings made from taro, sweet potatoes, breadfruit and bananas. The crystallization of the juice to make granulated sugar, which we do today, apparently was not done by the Hawaiians. Photos by Priscilla Millen.