Ka‘ū News Briefs, Wednesday, April 6, 2022

'ŌHAI IS THE APRIL NATIVE PLANT OF THE MONTH IN KAʻŪ for the column Lāʻau Letters by Jodie Rosam, with illustration by artist Joan Yoshioka. The monthly contribution is about Kaʻū’s native plants and their moʻolelo (stories), uses, preferred habitats, and opportunities to adopt them for stewardship. This column seeks to encourage making new plant friends and to reunite with others.
    ʻŌhai, Sesbania tomentosa, is another one of Hawaiʻs’s endangered endemic species (like last month’s featured friend, hala pepe), and belongs to the Fabaceae family (a cousin to wiliwili and māmane). This lovely lāʻau is variable, growing as a sprawling ground cover or even an upright shrub. Similar to other Fabaceae, each ʻōhai leaf is made up of many small, oval-shaped leaflets which in some cases are covered in tiny silver hairs. This trait is called tomentose (note that the species name of ʻōhai makes a connection to its namesake), and it is an evolutionary adaptation to the intense sun and heat. On sunny days, these leaflet clusters smell like sweet tangerines. 

    The flowers commonly form in pairs, and are most often a crimson red, scarlet, or salmon color, although a very unique Kaʻū population bloom a lovely pure pastel yellow.
    Uses: The bright and showy flowers of ʻōhai were historically used to make a gorgeous lei, although that was when the plants were more abundant. Because ʻōhai is an endangered species, there are legal protections which restrict collection of plant material. With that said, if you are able to purchase ʻōhai and

ʻŌhai is found along the coastlines in Hawai'i Volcanoes  National Park and Kamāʻoa Puʻuʻeo Ahupuaʻa in Kaʻū.   Photo from U.H Botany

cultivate it, the flowers are okay to pick (if you can bring yourself to pluck them - they are such a beautiful sight on the plant when in bloom). In addition, ʻōhai leaves can be placed under your pillow before bedtime to induce the dreamscape and help open up the space of learning and receiving messages.
    Habitat:ʻŌhai have the potential to inhabit coastal and lowland dry areas from sea level to 2,500 feet elevation, though local populations today tend to be restricted to undeveloped coastlines (and are under the constant threat of habitat loss, displacement by invasive species, and feral ungulate pressures). ʻŌhai have been successfully outplanted in the Waikōloa Dry Forest Preserve (go visit them!) and protected along the coastline within Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park. In Kaʻū, a wild population remains along the coast within the Kamāʻoa Puʻuʻeo Ahupuaʻa. This area is known for off-roading, which, if not done responsibly, can ultimately decimate Kaʻū’s beloved ʻōhai population.
    Growing and Purchasing: Because ʻōhai are endangered, it is not pono to collect seeds or plant material from wild plants. However, some nurseries specializing in native species are able to obtain the necessary permits to grow and sell them. ʻŌhai are nitrogen-fixing plants (as are all Fabaceae), so planting them in the landscape will enrich the soil and benefit surrounding plants. They prefer full sun and well-drained substrates, and enjoy being planted with a bit of clean beach sand. ʻŌhai would undoubtedly make a gorgeous addition to any landscape, preferably planted with plenty of room to sprawl and near other native plant friends.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/.See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/03/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.

    While most public venues have made mask wearing optional, such places as Mizuno's Superette in Pāhala, the Will & Grace store in Nāʻālehu and 'Ōhelo Cafe in Volcano have kept their mask-wearing requirement.
    The statement also said, that "County of Hawai'i will continue to have available hand sanitizing stations and you are welcomed to wear masks at county facilities."
   For a comprehensive calendar and list of all pharmacies and clinics providing vaccination and testing, visit the Civil Defense website. www.hawaiicounty.gov.

Big Island Chocolate Festival, which goes live this May 13 and 14, following the Covid shutdown, featured a booth from  Kaʻū High School's culinary class in 2019. Students presented their Smoked Meat with Kaʻū Coffee Chocolate Barbecue  Sauce and their Kaʻū Gold Orange Chocolate Drizzle. Photo from Kaʻū High School

"As our valued culinary festival partners are busy reopening restaurants and securing staffing, we are changing our format to forego multiple food stations and instead provide a VIP experience featuring a chocolate-inspired, multi-course, sit-down dinner," announces Stephanie Beeby, event chairperson. "And while this yearʻs festival wonʻt be as large as yearʻs past, it will be enjoyable and tasty for our guests."

    The Saturday evening gala will offer the rich taste of chocolate in both its sweet and savory forms in the air-conditioned ballroom. In addition to a cocoa-inspired, three-course dinner plus dessert platter, diners 
can partake in a towering chocolate fountain complemented with your choice of fruit and pastries.
    Guests will groove on the cool jazz, blues and hot Latin stylings of the Blue Jade Band featuring Ann Hoku Lyn and Binti Bailey. Fun includes dancing, an artist who uses chocolate to sketch in-the-moment 
portraits, a silent auction and surprises. Guests can enjoy unlimited wine, beer, iced tea and coffee.
    In its ninth year, the celebration of chocolate is presented by the non-profit Kona Cacao Association. "Itʻs great to be able to gather together in person again and support our enterprising, local cacao growers, processors and chocolate confectioners," says KCA president Farsheed Bonakdar of The Cocoa Outlet & The Chocolate Guy Hawai'i.
    All VIP gala tickets, with seating at tables of eight and service for a three-course meal plus fourth-course dessert platter, are $200. Also available is a one-night hotel package with two VIP gala tickets for $750. Friday educational activities and prices will be announced on the website. All event tickets are sold
online and additional tax and ticketing fees apply. Details: https://bigislandchocolatefestival.com.
The Chocolate Festival's statement says, "The mission and goal of KCA is to promote the cacao industry on the Island of Hawai'i by presenting the Big Island Chocolate Festival as an educational and outreach opportunity for local cacao farmers, the hospitality industry and cacao enthusiasts." Visit http://konacacaoassociation.com. @BIChocoFest.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see www.facebook.com/kaucalendar/.See latest print edition at www.kaucalendar.com. See upcoming events at https://kaunewsbriefs.blogspot.com/2022/03/upcoming-events-for-kau-and-volcano.