Māikoiko

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‘MĀIKOIKO’ (‘‘Ele‘ele’, ‘Kauila’, ‘Nika’, ‘Hōnaunau #1’, ‘Honomalino #1’)

Status: Held in Collections

'MĀIKOIKO' ('‘Ele‘ele', 'Kauila', 'Nika', 'Hōnaunau #1', 'Honomalino #1')

Status: Held in Collections

Background Information: Māikoiko refers to the black surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigroris) that is common in Hawaiian reefs. ‘Ele‘ele literally means "black, dark, the black color of Hawaiian eyes.” The name also refers to an edible seaweed (Enteromorpha prolifera) that is long, green, and filamentous, and also used for a variety of kalo (alternatively known as 'Hinupua‘a' or 'Naioea'), a variety of mai‘a prized for its shiny black trunk, and a variety of ‘uala. 'Kauila' refers to two endemic tree species (Alphitonia ponderosa and Columbrina oppositifolia) that are noted for their extremely dense hardwood that is dark reddish. The name appears to be specific to Kaua‘i, where some of the canes that are typically dark purple take on a more reddish-brown hue akin to the kauila wood. 'Kauila' also refers to highly kapu ceremonies in which this cane is used. 'Nika' literally means "black; blackened; blackness," and also refers to a variety of ‘uala. Several sources say that this was the most common cane amongst Hawaiian household gardens and was relished for chewing as it snaps and peels easily and the dark pith is sweet and flavorful.

Identifying Characteristics: Stalks are dark purple, often almost black. Leaf scar is greatly lipped and maintains a fringe of hairs. Root band has only two rows of eyes. This variety may be confused with other dark canes 'Bandila,' 'Not Halāli‘i', and 'Waialua' but is distinguishable from all by the pubescent leaf scar and sparse, large root eyes.

Background Information: ‘Māikoiko’ refers to the black surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigroris) that is common in Hawaiian reefs. ‘‘Ele‘ele’ literally means “black, dark, the black color of Hawaiian eyes,” and was applied to the darkest of the cane varieties. The name also refers to an edible seaweed (Enteromorpha prolifera) that is long, green, and filamentous. The name ‘‘Ele‘ele’ is also applied to a variety of kalo (alternatively known as ‘Hinupua‘a’ or ‘Naioea’), a variety of mai‘a prized for its shiny black trunk, and a variety of ‘uala. ‘Kauila’ refers to two endemic tree species (Alphitonia ponderosa and Columbrina oppositifolia) that are noted for their extremely dense, hard wood that is dark reddish in color. This appears to be a name specific to Kaua‘i, where some of the canes that are typically very dark purple take on a more reddish-brown hue akin to the kauila wood. ‘Kauila’ also refers to very kapu ceremonies in which this cane is used. ‘Nika’ literally means “black; blackened; blackness,” and also refers to a variety of ‘uala. This was a common cane amongst Hawaiian household gardens and was relished for chewing as it snaps and peels easily and the dark pith is sweet and flavorful.

Identifying Characteristics: Stalks are the darkest purple, often almost black. Leaf scar is greatly lipped and maintains a fringe of hairs. Root band has only two rows of eyes. May be confused with other dark canes ‘Bandila’, ‘Not Halāli‘i’, and ‘Waialua’ but is distinguishable from all by the pubescent leaf scar and sparse, large root eyes.

Stalk Color

purple, dark purple or black, unexposed stalks muddy red; wax bloom very sparse

Internode

short-jointed; concave or cylindrical, leaf scars distinctly lipped and often fringed with long hairs; bud furrow very shallow; wax band moderate thickness, very prominent, olive green if wax is removed; growth ring dark purple, only prominent when unexposed; root band same color as growth ring, 1–2 rows of eyes.

Bud

short, deltoid, purple or red, extending beyond the growth ring, very pubescent, particularly with longer hairs; bud wings purplish, inserted near the center of the bud

Leaf

very erect, medium/long length, moderate width, module 23:1–27:1, plentiful, closely bunched, light green, sparsely hairy on edges and behind dewlap, serration small, closely packed, and very sharp; lower midrib sparsely hairy; upper midrib milky white or pale yellow, very slight tinge of red; sheath light green, turns purple with sun, light wax coating, moderately covered with brown hairs; dewlap dark purple, squarish deltoid or flaring ligulate; outer auricle transitional with a light tuft of moderate-length hairs; inner auricle long, pointed, vertical, occurs just below the dewlap, often poorly formed or missing