Honua‘ula

Main Image

'HONUA‘ULA' ('Niho Puhi,' 'Puhi Paka o Pele')

Status: Held in Collections

Background Information: 'Honua‘ula' literally means "red (‘ula) earth (honua),” referring to red soil. This cane is associated with the district on Maui of the same name. The arid region has a deep-reddish soil and swirling winds that caused red dust clouds to swirl about, reportedly reminiscent of how the leaves of a large patch of 'Honua‘ula' blowing in the wind caused a reddish glare. Other recorded names for this cane refer to the teeth of the moray eel and allude to the emerging buds, which are distinctly sharp and pointy compared to other varieties. 'Niho Puhi' literally means "eel teeth," while 'Puhi Paka o Pele' means "the eel of Pele" and refers the Yellow-edged moray (Gymnothorax flavimarginatus), a large, common reef eel.

Identifying Characteristics: Stalks are dark purple. The leaves, often pink or purple, easily identify this cane. The sheaths are wholely dark purple, heavily waxy, and smooth. The buds are long, narrow, and deltoid. 'Honua‘ula' is a distinct cane not easily confused with any other Hawaiian varieties.

‘HONUA‘ULA’ (‘Niho Puhi’, ‘Puhi Paka o Pele’)

Status: Held in Collections

Background Information: ‘Honua‘ula’ literally means “red (‘ula) earth (honua),” referring to red soil, and is associated with a district on Maui. The arid region has a deep-reddish soil and swirling winds that caused red dust clouds to swirl about, reportedly reminiscent of how the leaves of a large patch of ‘Honua‘ula’ blowing in the wind caused a reddish glare. Other recorded names for this cane refer to the teeth of the moray eel and allude to the emerging buds, which are distinctly sharp and pointy compared to other varieties. ‘Niho Puhi’ literally means “eel teeth,” while ‘Puhi Paka o Pele’ means “the eel of Pele” and also refers to a large common reef eel (Lycondontis flavimarginatus).

Identifying Characteristics: Stalks are dark purple. The leaves, with strong pink or purple coloration, easily identify this cane. The sheaths are also dark purple, and heavily waxy, and smooth. The buds are long, narrow, and deltoid. This is a distinct cane not easily confused with any other Hawaiian varieties.

Stalk Color

reddish-brown to dark purple, sometimes nearing black; wax bloom very sparse

Internode

long, often skinny, very slightly conoidal or cylindrical; bud furrow always present, shallow and long; wax band moderate size and prominent; growth ring dark purple like the stalk; root band dark purple like the stalk, conoidal, 2–3 rows of eyes

Bud

narrow deltoid with triangular base; virtually hairless; bud wings create a rounded tip behind the bud

Leaf

very smooth, moderate/long length, moderate width, module 20:1–24:1, purple or purplish or pink, droops from near middle, serration is very small and of little notice; upper midrib tends to be pinkish, bottom midrib retains greenish coloration; sheath is deep purple or has heavy purple cast, very waxy, virtually hairless; dewlap is invariably dark purple, much darker than leaf or sheath, long and thin with rounded tip; outer auricle transitional with a dense clump of medium-length hairs at insertion point; inner auricle tiny pointed nub that occurs below the insertion point

Flesh

brown or dark brown, very dark brown ring near rind, hard and tough, not so juicy, very sweet, distinct caramel taste and slightly burnt smell; rind tough