Opukea

OPUKEA

All Main Image Stalks Internode Buds Leaves Flesh Growth

Main Image

'OPUKEA'

Status: No Known Specimens

Background Information: Fornander related how this cane was named: "This cane was discovered by a famous man of olden times. He hunted for it until he located it at Laupahoehoe, and when he found it he noted it was Opukea cane; later he went and asked Liliha the name of this cane, and he was told the same name which he had already given it." This cane is often confused with 'Kea,' and, in some statements, the two canes are said to be synonymous; however, most testimony indicates two different, though similar, varieties.

Historical Description: This cane is said to have looked much like 'Kea' and 'Lahi,' though all three are distinct. 'Opukea' is said to have been resistant to the eyespot disease, whereas 'Lahi' was badly affected and 'Kea' partially affected. Other sources say that 'Opukea' was "identical to Kea but always dwarfed by it." 'Opukea' is a suitable substitute for the same ceremonial applications as 'Kea' when that cane is not available.

Stalks

The stalks are described as "solid yellow" by Kamakea and Moir and "greenish-yellow" by the USDA. It takes a rosy red flush when exposed to the sun. The internodes are concave and shouldered, being somewhat constricted above each node and enlarging as the next node is approached.

Internode

The wax bloom is sparse, the wax bands broad and distinct, the bud furrow strongly marked, and the growth rings green and flush against the stalk. The root band is green, cylindric constricted and 7–8mm with 3–4 rows of eyes.

Buds

The buds are green with olive wings, general pubescence prominent, and ovate with prominent basal appendage and truncate tip. The wings are broad and inserted below the middle of the bud.

Leaves

The sheaths are purplish with a light or moderate hair group down the center. The dewlaps are ascending flaring ligulate. The lesser auricle is transitional with a short hair group, and the greater auricle is small calcarate.

Flesh

The flesh is soft ivory or distinctly white. It is a heavy-stooling cane and not a free tasseler. When it is eaten, the trash is brittle.

Growth

The general growth is like that of 'Lahaina,' meaning semi-recumbent and top heavy.

Information

Status: No Known Specimens

Background Information: ‘Ainakea literally means “white (kea) pith/bagasse (‘aina)” or “white land (‘?ina).” According to Fornander this name refers to a particular episode in Hawaiian mythology: K?‘ula and K?ne, two powerful akua, practiced their sorcery on the people of Honua‘ula, Maui, and left the bodies of the dead strewn about and exposed. The duo added further insult by snacking on sugarcane grown by the victims to quench their thirst; since this time the cane has been called ‘Ainakea in reference to the white bones left bleaching in the sun. However, many l?‘au lapa‘au sources indicate that the name refers to the flesh of the cane, which is said to be the whitest of all Hawaiian canes – a particularly rare trait for a dark-skinned variety. An alternative name, Laenihi, refers generally to high-headed labroid fish of the genera Hemipteronotus and Iniistius. Another name, P?kea, is a quantifying term applied to Laenihi that refers to a whitish coloration and was used to denote a specific species of fish. ‘Ainakea was one of the few canes used in medicinal concoctions by the kahuna h?h?, and was important in the treatments for p?‘ao‘ao, ‘ea, hilo, and waiki.

Historical Description: ‘Ainakea is said to be [DE1] one of the prettiest Hawaiian canes, similar in appearance to ‘?hi‘a when it is young but lightening in color as it grows. It was often said to be one of the best-producing native cane varieties and was popular cane home gardens, particularly in dry and lowland areas.

Stalk Color

The stalks are described by Moir as “maroon-red and striped with apple-green when young, and changing to purplish-red and yellow when mature”; by Fornander as “red with long white stripes”; and by Spencer as “a ribbon cane, green and purple.” Alternatively, Ka‘aiakamanu compares it to Manulele (a striped cane), and states that the stalks were “dark reddish as the p?polo liquid.”

Authored by: Noa Kekuewa Lincoln.
Please properly cite any use of information or graphics from this page.

Lincoln, N. (2017) Kō: An Ethnobotanical Guide to Hawaiian Sugarcane Varieties.
Retrieved from: http://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/cane/Home.aspx