'HALĀLI‘I' ('‘Ailolo,' 'Malolo,' 'Mapulehu,' 'Pakaiea,' 'Puahala,' 'Pūhala,' 'Ukuhala,' 'Wehehala')
Status: Held in Collections
Background Information: This cane has more associated names than any other kō variety, indicating its widespread cultivation and importance. Halāli‘i refers to a location on Ni‘ihau Island where this sugarcane was famous for growing. As a play on words, the name can suggest "little (li‘i) Pandanus tree (hala).” This pun refers to the cane growing in sandy areas of Ni‘ihau, where the blowing wind would bury the stalks and leave only the protruding tops visible, reminiscent of a baby hala tree. The sand dunes help retain moisture, allowing the cane to grow in the dry Ni‘ihau environment. This image is captured in the saying “Kō ‘eli lima a ‘o Halāli‘i – The hand dug cane of Halāli‘i" – hinting at digging in the soft sand to harvest the buried stalks. The names ‘Ailolo, Ukuhala, and Wehehala refer to the use of this cane in ceremonies of the same name. Fornander provides the name Malolo, literally meaning "to rest, pause, adjourn, or the low tide," stating the name originated from a religious observance of a woman placing her placenta under a hala tree. Pakaiea is synonymous with līpahapaha – common green seaweeds called sea lettuce (Ulva fasciata and Monostroma oxyspermum). These seaweeds have delicate blades that are translucent, much like the green stripes on the stalks that allow the underlying color to show through. 'Pakaiea' is also a kalo variety. Puahala refers to the brightly colored base of the hala fruits that are yellow or red color, while pūhala refers to the hala tree itself, typically the male tree. The male hala tree often grows a single erect trunk and blossoms with the hīnano flower, which is famed for its sweet scent and use as an aphrodisiac. These are poetic names relying on the pun between halā and hala.
Identifying Characteristics: The stalk often appears three-colored, with a yellow background that flushes easily to pink and striped with a translucent green. The leaves are consistently, but weakly, variegated with white. The sheaths are heavily variegated with white, heavily or moderately waxy, and show little pubescence concentrated in a narrow strip down the center. This cane is nearly identical to 'HC71' but is distinguishable because 'HC71' has no sheath pubescence and an auricle that occurs well below the dewlap. 'Halāli‘i' may be confused with 'Pua‘ole' and 'Kalaoa,' but can be distinguished by having slightly stronger leaf variegation and an auricle that occurs at or just below the dewlap.