WILIWILI
Erythrina sandwicensis, called wiliwili by Hawaiians, is an endemic tree found on all the major Hawaiian Islands. It is thought that wiliwili reached the islands from the east, the Pacific Islands and Americas, by flotation on ocean drift. The seeds are no longer dispersible by water; they no longer float. Photos by Charles Lamoureux, left, and Glenn Bauer, right.

According to tradition, sharks bite when the wiliwili blooms. Keiki (children) surfboards were made from the buoyant wood. The photos here are by Priscilla Millen.

Pictures of the tree appear below. Wiliwili trees are one of the major trees found in dry land forest and shrubland. They are especially adapted to dry conditions since they lose leaves during the summer months when rainfall is less. Photos by Glenn Bauer.



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