aala-precontact

Nâ `A`ala ~ Fragrances
(Pre-contact)

A listing of plant materials used to perfume kapa (bark cloth), as used by Hawaiians before the first-known contact with foreigners.

Sources:
Pukui, Mary Kawena & Elbert, Samuel H., Hawaiian Dictionary, Revised and Enlarged Edition, University Of Hawai`i Press, Honolulu, 1986.
Krauss. Beatrice H., Plants in Hawaiian Culture, University of Hawai`i Press, Honolulu, 1993.
Pronunciation Guide

KA `ÔLELO HAWAI`I (HAWAIIAN):	KA `ÔLELO HAOLE (ENGLISH):
Hawaiians perfumed their kapa by adding scented material to kapa dyes.
laua`e [lau' (w)ah eh]	Maile-scented fern * Phymatosorus scolopendria; Polypodium palucidum Most commonly used plant to perfume kapa dyes. Fern fronds were first heated with hot stones and the fragrant sap was pressed out and added to dyes. Laua`e celebrated in an oli (chant): Pualani Kanaka`ole Kanahele & Nâlani Kanaka`ole. Another perfume sometimes added to the dye was the sap of the kamani (to be discussed below).
Hawaiians perfumed their finished kapa by laying scented plant materials between the folds of stored kapa. These were pre-contact equivalents of present-day sachets.
`iliahi [ee lee (y)ah' hee]	Sandalwood * Santalum ellipticum * Endemic A native evergreen shrub/tree, from which a powder was derived from its scented heartwood.
`awapuhi kuahiwi [ah' wah poo' hee koo (w)ah hee' vee]	Mountain ginger, also called shampoo ginger. * Zingiber zerumbet * Polynesian-introduced Aromatic rhizomes (underground stems) were used for perfuming. The mature flower head is saturated with a sudsy, slimy, highly aromatic sap.
mokihana [moh' kee hah' nah]	* Pelea anisata * Endemic Lei were made of the small, leathery, oval, anise-scented fruits, which change from green to brown and grow more fragrant as they dry, and twigs from a native tree that grows only on the island of Kaua`i.
maile [mai' leh]	* Alyxia oliviformis * Endemic. A native Hawaiian shrubby vine, straggling on the ground or twining on shrubs and trees in native forests. The bark of the stems and leaves are highly scented with a vanilla-like, woodsy scent, when bruised.
kamani [kah mah' nee]	Alexandrian laurel * Calophylum inophyllum. L. * Polynesian-introduced White with many bright yellow stamens, very fragrant flowers, reminiscent of orange-blossoms. More on the kamani.
hînano [HEE' nah noh]	Hala or Pû hala (Screw Pine) male inflorescences * Pandanus tectorius * Indigenous? The male inflorescence consists of a "spike" about a foot long surrounded along its length by overlapping white, narrow, pointed, fragrant bracts that cover large clusters of very small flowers conspicuous for their pollen ( `ehu hînano = dust (of the) hînano). Hînano celebrated in song: Pua Hînano by Puakea Nogelmeier.