Kukui;   Candlenut

  Aleurites moluccana

Kukui is native to Polynesia and southern Asia.  This plant was probably introduced by the early Polynesians and is now a common tree of the lower elevations.  Flowers and leaves are strung into leis to represent the island of Molokai - the color gray-green.  The early Hawaiians obtained tapa cloth dyes from the roots and green seed covering.  The oily kernel of the seed was used as a candle - a longer lasting candle was obtained by stringing several kernels on the midrib of the coconut leaf.  Oil extracted from the kernels was used in lamps and as a drying oil.  Although the fresh kernel is purgative, when baked it provides a distinctive relish when used in small amounts.  Because the tree's products played an important part in the daily lives of the Hawaiians, the kukui has been designated the State tree of Hawaii.