This article by Jodie Rosam was featured in The Kaʻū Calendar News Briefs on January 3rd, 2024.
(Pahala, Hawaiʻi) — Welcome to Lāʻau Letters: Native Plants of Kaʻū. Read about Kaʻū’s native plants’ 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.
Loulu (Pritchardia spp.)
Loulu, Pritchardia species, is Hawaiʻi’s only endemic palm, and is featured in the monthly column Lāʻau Letters: Native Plants of Kaʻū. This artwork is shared courtesy of Joan Yoshioka.
Description: Hauʻoli Makahiki Hou! I am excited to introduce you to a great friend to kick off 2024. Meet loulu! Loulu (not to be confused with loʻulu, the name of the endemic fern Coniogramme pilosa), is the name for all species of the only native Hawaiian palms, which are perhaps the most distinctive and conspicuous native plants. Of the 27 species of Pritchardia found in the east-central Pacific, Hawaiʻi is home to 24 endemic species, all of which are either a species of concern, endangered, or critically endangered. Loulu are unarmed (thornless) tree palms with palmate or fan-shaped leaves which naturally senesce, die, brown, and fall off of the tree in one intact unit, although sometimes in drier areas, they persist on the tree giving it a lovely pāʻū or skirt. The underside of the leaf blades can vary in color because of a covering of light-colored hairs which can densely cover the underside of the leaf blade surface, giving them a silvery appearance. Interestingly, a marine kinolau to the native palm is the filefish, perhaps named loulu because the greenish-white skin resembles the colors of the bottom of the fronds. The trunks are smooth but tend to have longitudinal grooves and are sometimes ringed with leaf (or climbing) scars. Small yellow flowers and round fruits emerge on stalks that may hang down when they are full of fruits. The length of the flower and fruit stalks relative to other parts of the leaf – and the leaf coloration itself – are some of the most useful characteristics to identify species of loulu.
Uses: Leaves were typically the most commonly-utilized part of loulu, specifically for thatching roofs and weaving fans, umbrellas, hats, and baskets. The word loulu can be translated into umbrella, so called because the fronds from the palms were used as rain / sun protection. Heiau māpele (a seasonal heiau used to appease Lono and encourage an adequate seasonal catch of fish) were erected using the large fronds of loulu. Trunks were also used to make spears and for construction, as they are surprisingly durable. The fruits of loulu were given a specific name, hāwane, and they were gathered immature to consume while the endosperm was still soft. Loulu were often cultivated around areas of habitation, which is even greater evidence that loulu have played a prominent role in Hawaiian life and culture.
Habitat: Loulu can inhabit a variety of conditions, and each species of loulu is uniquely adapted to live in a specific climate type. Hawaiʻi Island is home to five species of loulu spanning ranges from Kohala to Kaʻū, including P. beccariana, P. gordonii, P. maideniana, P. schattaueri, and P. lanigera, none of which occur on other islands. Unfortunately, direct or indirect human activity is responsible for the degraded and declining state of loulu habitat – though it should be noted that fossil evidence has shown that loulu were once one of the most abundant trees in Hawaiian forests, and potentially even a dominant species in dry coastal lowland and moist mid-elevation forests. Even more noteworthy is that loulu easily succumb to the damage of the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB), which makes the conservation of these amazing species even more of a priority. On that note, if you see anything resembling CRB damage or CRB grub, please report it to (808) 643-PEST.
Growing and Purchasing: It is a true shame that native loulu are not used in commercial landscaping to replace the other Pacific fan palms, but hopefully that will change. I do, however, encourage you to learn about the different Hawaiʻi Island (and beyond) species of loulu and see which species may do well in your home landscape. Because these are protected species, only certified growers are permitted to propagate and sell loulu on the market. These are all tagged and recorded, and must only be planted in home garden settings – it is not a good idea to plant endangered species into wild landscapes because of the risk of losing the genetic variability across species which is key to their individual success. Amy Greenwell often sells loulu, and they do great in the climate of Kaʻū! I hope you enjoy learning more about these fabulous frond friends and incorporate them into your lives, somehow.
About the Author, Jodie Rosam: A Ka’ū resident, Jodie Rosam, says she has a deep love for native plants and a passion for exploration, with over 15 years experience working in restoring Hawai’i forests. She is the Kaʻū representative on the County’s Public Access, Open Space, and Natural Resource Preservation Commission (PONC) and sits on many other non-profit boards. Jodie enjoys sharing her love of plants with everyone – plant love is contagious!
About the Artist, Joan Yoshioka: A Volcano resident, Joan Yoshioka, is a conservationist at heart and has dedicated her life to preserving the native plants and animals of Hawai’i through her work with federal, state, and private organizations for more than 30 years. She said the key to the most fundamental and truest part of ourselves is found in nature and she constantly draws on it for inspiration.
