'LĀHAINĀ' ('Bourbon,' 'Cana Blanca,' 'Kenikeni,' 'Kinikini,' 'Otaheite,' 'Louzier')
Status: Held in Collections
Background Information: 'Lāhainā' was the first cane introduced to Hawai‘i, brought to Lāhainā harbor by Captain Pardon Edwards on the whaleship George Washington from the Marquesan Islands in 1854. A popular local name for this cane became ‘Kenikeni,' which means "ten cents." Rumor says that was the price the original stalk sold for; however, dimes did not exist in Lāhainā at the time of introduction. Alternative histories indicate the name was ‘Kinikini,' meaning "numerous, very many," which was applied to the 'Cuban' cane introduced by Edwards at the same time. However, 'Cuban' did not fare well and the local name 'Kinikini' became more widely applied to Lāhainā and then, over time, was bastardized to 'Kenikeni.' With the introduction of 'Lāhainā,' the Hawaiian varieties began to be displaced from the plantations. 'Lāhainā' was grown to the almost total exclusion of all other varieties until commercial hybrids emerged. This cultivar was one of the first Pacific Noble Cane to spread around the world, starting when Captain Bligh took it to Jamaica from the Tahitian Islands in 1791, and it became the most prevalent cane in Brazil, Australia, the New World Colonies, and even Europe. The fame of this cane is unmatched; it is known by many names around the world, including 'Bourbon,' 'Cana Blanca,' and 'Louzier.' The first commercial hybrid released in Hawai‘i, 'H109,' was mothered by ‘Lāhainā.' 'Lāhainā' requires considerable moisture to reach its growth potential but can withstand drought as well as most other canes. It thrives at altitudes less than 1,500 feet and grows increasingly rapidly at lower elevations.
Identifying Characteristics: Stalks are green or greenish yellow. Buds are very prominent, large and fat, and densely pubescent with short hairs. Sheaths are heavily waxy and heavily pubescent. The inner auricle is short but very vertical and occurs just below the dewlap. May be confused with other green-yellow canes but can primarily be distinguished by distinctive vertical auricle.