The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1891-07-14

the center. The wood is white with
wavy satin grain. The gum of the Ha-h
is used as bird lime. Halapepe, ORA
caena aurea, gives white, pithy WOO,
OF no value. Papala, Charpenticra Ovata
is another of similar character, but o
very coarse, fibrous grain.
Hoawa, Pittosporum glabrum, is vel
low wood OF hard, close grain, and hai
merit as fine cabinet wood. Anothel
but very much finer grained yellow Woo
is the Holei, Ochrosia Sandwicensis
this was the preferred wood for Canoe
rims.
Hao, Rauwolfia Sandwicensis, is a sof
looking, close grained red wood good fol
building purposes or for cabinet work mo-
requiring variety in grain.
The Hibiscus family is we'll represent
ed at the islands in the Hau's. The
collection shows two varieties, white
and black. Hawaiians speak of four
viz: Hau-kea, Hau-ula, Hau-hele and
Hau-koi. In one or another kind they
are a common tree throughout the isl.
ands, proving serviceable to the natives,
who made various uses of its wood ac-
cording to kind or age, and the bark
|
strength.
Hupilo and PHO, varieties of the Co
prosma, are yellow woods with brown
markings of grain, light in weight and
easily worked. The first named is the
rsrer wood of the two and the most no
| ticeable.
A very striking wood from its peculiar
striped black and yellow grain is the Kau-
au (not identifed). This specimen is
from tree found in the upper Hilo woods
several years ago, and enquiry has failed
to find its like Gas yeti anywhere through
out the group.
Kaulu, Sapindus Oahuensis, is dull
ish white wood, and looks very similar
to the white wood used by carriage build
ers. Kawau, Byronia Sandwicensis, is a
somewhat similar wood of a darker
shade. Both are designated as building
timbers.
Kamakahala, Labordia Grayana, is
another striking wood of the shrub class.
The specimen shown is a gray wood
streaked with black, and would work
well in contrast with others. The flowers
of this shrub are much desired for leis,
and are referred to in song, "Ka lei Ka-
makahala O Nuuanu, THE Kamakahala
wreath of Nuuanu.
Koko or Akoko, Euphorbia lorifolia; a
white wood producing the finest quality
charcoal.
Kokio or Pualealo is another white
wood of the Hibiscus family. The tree
is classed by Hawaiians as medicinal.
Kului, Nototrichium Sandwicense, is a
fbrous looking grained wood of yellow
shade, very hard
Mamaki, Pipturus albidus, and Wauke,
Broussonetia papyfer, are soft woods Of
indistinct grain, the former of a pinkish
shade and the latter white. These are
the bark producing trees from which the
KAPPA is made.
Mamane, Sophora Chrysophylla, is a
close grained hard wood of recognized
durability. Fence posts known to have
heen in position thirty years still looked
fresh and sound. Used also as spokes for
heavy cart wheels.
Mahoe, new species, unnamed !;
shows good cabinet qualities. In ap-
pearance it may be said to be cross
between the Koa and Hame. 1t is
one of the little known trees of the ISL
ands.
Mao, Gossypium tomentosum. The
specimen in the collection is a white
wood of rather hard, distinct grain, that,
if to be had in quantity, would be SER
viceable in house building, etc. The
flowers of the Mao were used for dyeing
purposes in coloring KAPPA.
Mokikana, Pelea Anisata, shrub,
gives a close grained white wood. Its
bark and seeds are very fragrant, which
of recent years have been utilized IN the
manufacture of perfumery.
Nenelau, Rhus semialata, is tough
wood Of light color and weight, furnish
ing the proper requisites for OK yokes,
for which purpose it is largely used.
Noni, Morinda citrifolia; yellow wood
OF smooth grain, soft to work. 1t is not
Of large growth The Noni is one of the
kahuna's stand-by's; claiming medi-
cinal properties for it. 1t bears a fruit
often termed the wild fig, which is eaten
in times OF scarcity of food.
Paihi (not identifed) is a wood of
striped pink grain, somewhat tough in
its character; used in Kona, Hawaii, for
canoe paddles.
Pamakani, Phyllanthus Sandwicensis,
is another OF the white woods Of no spe-
cial cabinet value. Its leaves are used as
medicine among the natives.
Poola (not identified is Of soft grain
like the Pilo's, but Of q darker shade OF
brown.
Puaala, Brigamia insignis, is another
light yellow specimen oil finely marked
close grained wood, easily worked. Not
a common tree.
Puawa-the well known guava-Pisi-
dunn Guayava. This is very hard,
close grained wood OF pale pinkish slate
color, but known only as furnishing the
best of firewood land fruit Tor the choicest
of jellies.
Wiliwili, Erythrina monosperma, is
specimen of wood that looks we'll, but is
SO light and porous that its uses are
limited to cork purposes, such as floats
for nets, outriggers OF canoes, etc.
In the attempt to describe this collec-
ton, the writer finds much difficulty to
portray accurately, in brief space, the
beauty of grain and shades OF color to
set the same intelligently before the
reading public. Colors, however, and
even grain is sometimes found to vary
according to soil and climate, and fur
ther experience IN this interesting search
may show differences to the foregoing.
LIONEL STAGGE.
Homesick SamOans.
NJ W r. 90 AFo,o1: To-;