Hui Ku Maoli Ola
Latin name: Acacia koai'a In The Garden: KOAI'A
By Dan Piraro
Another name for Koai'a is Koai'e, perhaps because this plant was used to make kapa beaters called i'e. This is the type of Koa used to make i'e, hence the name Koai'e.
The hard wood of this small tree is used to make many useful tools including kapa anvils and spears.
Description: The tree resembles Kkoa but is smaller (up to 15 feet). It has the same sickle-shaped foliage, which aren't actually leaves but modified stems called phyllodes. It also has harder, more dense wood and longer, more narrow seed pods with a different arrangement of seeds. Some sources list this tree as a variety of koa while others separate it into its own species.
Distribution: Only found on Maui, Molokai, Lanai and the Big Island in very restricted populations. Often found in dry open areas.
Landscape Uses and Care: Use as a specimen tree anywhere with lots of sun. It requires little watering and is a beautiful small tree. Many people prefer to use this tree, rather than koa, in drier low elevations.
Due to its durability, beauty, cultural significance and size, Koai'a has the potential to be a successful landscape tree. Only its rarity prevents it from being as popular as it should be. Hopefully as more people become native plant enthusiasts, that will change.
Rick Barboza co-owns Hui Ku Maoli Ola, a native Hawaiian plant nursery, with Matt Schirman. "In the Garden" is a Friday feature about flora written by field experts.
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