Map Endemic achyranthes* ‘äma‘u älula* ‘äwikiwiki bonamia* Clay's Hibiscus* cyperus cyperus sedge eugenia häpu‘u kauila* ko‘oloa‘ula* koa kulu‘ï kupukupu lama loulu palm ma‘o mämaki nänü* ‘ohai (shrub) * ‘ohai (tree) * ‘öhia lehua white hibiscus   Indigenous alahe‘e hinahina ‘ilie‘e ‘ilima kou laua‘e fern naio palapalai pili grass pöhinahina ‘uki‘uki ‘ülei variegated hau   Polynesian Introduced coconut kalo kukui red ginger red ti leaf ti leaf sugar cane ulu   Introduced cotton cup of gold eucalyptus heliconia hibiscus manila palm monstera octopus tree pink tecoma plumbago plumeria tangerine wiliwili     *endangered species

Common Name Koa Hawaiian Name Koa Scientific Name Acacia koa Pictures Keawe Whole Tree Leaves Location On Campus This plant is found in the garden next to Keawe. Natural Habitat Koa trees are found on the 6 major islands which are O‘ahu, Ni‘ihau, Moloka‘i, Big Island, Lana‘i, and on Maui. The koa tree grows wild in the Hawaiian rain forests. Cultural Information Koa Trees are native and also endemic to Hawai‘i. Hawaiians used it for making their paddles and the famous koa canoe. The wood is used for making household objects like chairs, tables, and ukuleles. Plant Description Stem: Gray with white on outside Dark brown on inside Grows straight up Leaves: Medium long, skinny, and pointed at the top Entire margin Parallel venation Flowers: The flowers are green before they bloom Yellow in color and looks puffy Fruit: Pods Seeds: Dark brown in color 12 seeds in each pod Life Cycle/ Reproduction: Takes about 50 years to reproduce Propagation/ Cultivation: Seeds take about 11-12 days to germinate Seeds should be put in the soil twice of the diameter of the seed Interesting Facts: Grow best on the Big Island in the mountains Can have fungus growing on trunk Web Site Links Koa This website shows the information on Koa and shows the scientific name for other plants. Acacia Koa This website shows scientific names for plants like koa. Woodline Pacific Woodworks This website will show information on Koa and also other different kinds of wood. References Bornhorst, Heidi: Leianueanue. Growing Native Plants. Honolulu, Hawaii: The Bess Press, 1996. Krauss, Beatrice. Ethnobotany of Hawaii. Hawaii: UH. Dept. of Botany, copyright unknown.  Kepler Kay Anhela. Hawaiian Heritage Plants. Honolulu, Hawai‘i: University of Hawai‘i Press, 1998. Return to Top

Web page created by Kamehameha Middle School Koa Team Students: Kanoe and Kela

© Kamehameha Schools. All rights reserved. Statements of Privacy, Copyright, and Disclaimer.