I have a fish-shaped pupu tray carved from kamani wood. It’s refined and elegant in its grain and coloration. Early Hawaiians shaped the wood into canoes, food bowls (kamani does not taint food with an offensive taste) and calabashes.
Kamani (Calophyllum inophyllum) is also called kamanu and Alexandrian laurel.
Kamani is a medium- to large-sized evergreen tree, with an expansive crown of variable, gnarled branches. It will attain heights up to 65 feet in the coastal and bordering lowland forest habitats of Hawaii. The upper elevation growing range in Hawaii is around 660 feet. In open areas, the canopy width is usually greater than the tree height.
The opposite leaves are dark green and glossy, with an elliptical shape. Calophyllum is derived from Greek words meaning "beautiful leaf." Dainty white flowers are clustered and fragrant, with numerous golden-orange stamens. Small balls of fruits are light green, turning yellow then brown and wrinkled when ripe. Fruit pulp is slender and surrounds a single seed. In Hawaii, fruits usually fall from April to June and October to December. Single seeds are brown and large.
This ornamental tree delivers shade and wind protection along streets, parks and our shoreline. It tolerates not only wind, but poor soil, salt spray, drought, severe storms and sporadic flooding, all associated with marine environments.
Kamani arrived to Hawaii as a canoe plant with the migration of Polynesian settlers. A grove of kamani trees in Halawa Valley on Molokai was historically referenced by early explorers.
Early Hawaiians extracted a brownish-mauve dye from kamani fruit husks that was used for kapa bark cloth. The sap and blossoms were also used in scenting kapa. Flowers produce lei that sparkle like petite starbursts.
Kamani seed oil was an alternative to kukui oil for lamps. The oil is also incorporated into lomilomi massage.
The tree is often referenced in ancient Hawaiian chants.
Kamani wood displays a luminous, fine texture and a unique interlocked grain that wood-turners label as "braided."
In Hawaii, kamani enjoys a lofty market value, but unfortunately is rarely available. Hawaii imports kamani wood to create superior-quality cabinetry, flooring and moldings.
The kamani sapwood is white and the heartwood is a rich reddish-brown. The doors of the main floor of ‘Iolani Palace are constructed with panels of kamani veneer.
It may not be museum quality, but I cherish my kamani piece of Hawaii.
Duane Choy is a native Hawaiian plant specialist. Reach him at HanaHou@ecologyfund.net.
