La‘au Niu

This is the f the coconut tree that is known as Niu

Niu maka o nola'eala'e
green coconuts for a clear vision

La‘au niu (Coconut Tree) has more uses than any other plant known to man kind. This was especially good for the Hawaiians. Hawaiians used the la‘au niu for many different things, each part of the tree had a different purpose. The Trunk was used to make food bowls, small canoes and spears. The husk covering the nut was used as a fuel. The fibers from the husk were twisted or braided into cordage. The coconut shells were bowls for food and liquids. The shells were also fashioned into knee drums. The flesh or meat inside the nut is eaten when ripe. When the flesh from a mature nut is graded it creates a cream and is pressed out and added to cook foods.

Traditionally, a coconut palm is planted at the birth time of a kama`aina. The tree bears fruit around the seventh birthday, for up to 70-100 years, providing food for a human lifetime. There may be up to 50 fruit a year. A he`e, octopus, was often planted in the bottom of the hole, furnishing fertilizer and giving the plant the idea of roots that spread and grip, and a body that is fat and round.