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One of the most cherished, storied, and beloved lāʻau central to the Hawaiian culture is the ʻōhiʻa lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha). A plant so deeply ingrained in genealogy, traditional moʻolelo, and a cultural landscape. The ʻōhiʻa can be found in countless oli, mele, ʻōlelo noʻeau, and moʻolelo that describe its connection to the ʻāina (land) and akua (gods).
The ʻōhiʻa can be found in countless oli, mele, ʻōlelo noʻeau, and moʻolelo that describe its connection to the ʻāina (land) and akua (gods). The ʻōhiʻa is mentioned in passing in the Sixth Era of the Kumulipo, the Hawaiian genesis story.
Who is ʻŌhiʻa?
It is believed by some that the ʻōhiʻa is the kino lau, physical embodiment, of the fire goddess Pele.
Being the first plan to grow out of lava, her movements and blooming of the lehua flower life cycle: captures rain water caring for ʻōhiʻa means caring for our kūpuna, elders, as they gave life to us.
