Biology:Kauila

Kauila or Kauwila refers to two species of trees in the buckthorn family, Rhamnaceae, that are endemic to Hawaiʻi: Alphitonia ponderosa and Colubrina oppositifolia. Both species of wood are found distributed throughout the islands of Hawai'i; however, A. ponderosa was found on Kaua'i, O'ahu, Moloka'i, Maui, and Hawai'i, whereas C. oppositifolia was found only on Maui, O'ahu, and Hawai'i. The trees vary in size, with A. ponderosa reaching heights greater than 50ft while C. oppositifolia reaching 50ft or less. Likewise, the leaves of the trees are both different in appearance. A. ponderosa sprouts a dark-greenish color and a light yellow colored vein in each leaf, and C. oppositiofolia grows a medium-green color leaf where the vein is a rusty orange/brown. The wood itself was prized for being extremely hard that it was often a substitute for metal, being so dense that it sinks in water. Although, C. oppositifolia was stated to be much tougher compared to its sister species. Though the rigid sturdiness varied between the species of wood, they were both prioritized in the making of tools, miscellaneous accessories, and crockeries. Both occur in dry to mesic forest, and due to invasive weeds and animals that consume the plants, the Kauila trees are now rare; C. oppositifolia is listed as critically endangered and A. ponderosa is listed as vulnerable.

Leaves of a Colubrina oppositifolia tree.

Leaves of an Alphitonia ponderosa tree.

History

The Kauila tree is named after the Hawaiian turtle goddess of the same name, Ka Wai Hu O Kauila ("rising waters of Kauila"). According to legends, she was born as the daughter of two magical turtles: the mother, Honupo'okea, and the father, Honu'ea. It was described that the birth took place on the black sand beach of Punalu'u, Ka'u, on Hawai'i, where Honupo'okea had dug her nest and laid a single egg. The color of the egg's dark and glossy shell was similar to the wood of the Kauila tree, thus granting the goddess her name. Her parents later dug into the earth to form a fresh spring beside her once she was born. Kauila became a symbol of protecting the keiki who visited her birthplace, occasionally shapeshifting into a young girl to watch over them. The powers received from her parents granted her the ability to give fresh water to the thirsty people and children of Ka'u, deeming her a spiritual guardian, or an 'aumakua.

References

• Wagner, W. L., D. R. Herbst, and S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu