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In Hawaiʻi, lei represent love and affection. One of the most meaningful gifts you can give someone is a lei. Lei making is a Hawaiian practice that takes patience, skill, and love. When you receive a lei, know that the person who made it for you took the time to gather, prepare, and make the lei with their own two hands.
There are many different types and styles of lei. One plant that was commonly used for lei making in Hawaiʻi is ʻōhiʻa (Metrosideros polymorpha). ʻŌhiʻa is endemic to Hawaiʻi, and likely evolved from a New Zealand or Australian Metrosideros species. It is the most common and variable (polymorpha means "many forms") of all native trees in Hawaiʻi, and its growth form can range from a small shrub to a large tree up to 80 feet tall. Leaves range in size and shape, and can be smooth or fuzzy. Liko (new leaves) range in shape and color, and are desirable for lei making. Hair-like blossoms called lehua are most commonly red, but may also be yellow or orange, and are also desirable for lei making.
ʻŌhiʻa are found throughout the main Hawaiian Islands of Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi. It grows in a variety of environments including barren lava flows; dry, mesic, and wet forests; windswept slopes and ridges; and subalpine and mountain bogs. ʻŌhiʻa are slow growing trees that are vulnerable to competition by faster growing invasive tree species like miconia (Miconia calvescens) and strawberry guava (Psidium cattleianum). Another threat includes a disease called Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death.
Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death is caused by the Ceratocystis (C.) fungi, C. lukuohia and C. huliohia, that grows in the sapwood (located under the bark) of an infected ʻōhiʻa tree. The fungus enters the tree through a wound that is most commonly produced by humans (cutting, pruning), ungulates (rubbing, debarking, root trampling), beetles (boring), and the wind (breakage by strong winds). Vectors of transmission include humans (moving infected wood and field gear from one location to another), ungulates (moving contaminated soil from one location to another), beetles (carrying infected wood dust from one tree to another), and the wind (blowing infected wood dust from one location to another).
Once a tree is infected with the fungus, it may take up to one year or longer before showing symptoms; however, once the symptoms appear, it is only a matter of a few days to weeks before the crown of the tree turns from green to brown, followed by leaf death which leaves the tree bare and grey. The only other way to identify infected trees is to look at the staining of the sapwood. However, once you cut into the tree to observe the sapwood, you've created a wound for the fungus to enter, if it hasn't already.
Both C. lukuohia and C. huliohia have been confirmed on Hawaiʻi and Kauaʻi. Ceratocystis huliohia, the less aggressive species, has been confirmed on Maui and Oʻahu.
ʻŌhiʻa is an integral part of the Hawaiian culture. It is present in moʻolelo (stories), mele (songs) and oli (chants). ʻŌhiʻa are believed to be kinolau (physical manifestations) of multiple Hawaiian deities such as Kū (god of war and manifestations), Laka (goddess of hula), Pele (goddess of the volcano), Hiʻiaka (sister of Pele), and Kāne (god of water). By incorporating ʻōhiʻa into lei making and other cultural practices, you are symbolically bringing these pieces of Hawaiian culture to life.
In haʻi moʻolelo (storytelling) Pele, the goddess of fire, met a young warrior named ʻŌhiʻa and asked him to be with her. However, ʻŌhiʻa had already pledged his love to a woman named Lehua. Enraged with jealousy, Halemaʻumaʻu erupted and Pele decided to kill ʻŌhiʻa and Lehua. Destroying everything in her path, Pele finally found the two lovers huddled together in hiding. Pele surrounded them with lava, but before she could devour them in fire, Lehua's ʻaumakua (deified ancestor), an ʻapapane (Himatione sanguinea), turned ʻŌhiʻa into a tree, and Lehua into a flower on the tree so that the two lovers would be together forever. It is said that if you pick the ʻōhiʻa lehua flower, you are separating the lovers and it will rain, which is symbolic of the lovers crying. Therefore, if you need to gather lehua, you should always ask permission first and only gather what you need.
Lehua is the official flower of the island of Hawaiʻi. One of the rain names for Hilo, Hawaiʻi is Kauakanilehua, which refers to the sound of the rain as it falls on the canopy of ʻōhiʻa forests. Hilo is known and beloved for this rain. People of Hilo are proud of their home and are able to build pilina (relationships, connections) with the ʻāina (land, that which feeds) by experiencing and learning about the traditional names of their rain, wind, beaches, etc.
The effects of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death do not only impact the environment (provide shelter and food for native birds, insects, and snails; supply nutrients, water, and protection for native plants; and replenish aquifers); they impact multiple aspects of Hawaiian culture, including lei making. Research has shown that the fungi are not present in ʻōhiʻa leaves, seeds, or blossoms; however, the act of picking could create microscopic wounds, which would lead to infection. Since 2016, the Merrie Monarch Hula Competition, the largest hula competition in the world, has encouraged the use of other lei plants to limit gathering in the forests, where ʻōhiʻa are most vulnerable. Most cultural practitioners support this action and use other plants in place of ʻōhiʻa.
There is currently no cure for Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death; however, awareness on the disease has progressed throughout Hawaiʻi. Efforts are being focused on stopping the spread into new regions, but everyone needs to do their part. If we fail to work together, Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death could potentially wipe out all of our remaining ʻōhiʻa forests, and important aspects of Hawaiian cultural could be lost forever. If that happens, what stories will we tell our children about Pele, ka wahine ʻai honua (Pele, the earth eating woman)? How will we describe the sound of the Hilo rain? What will we use to make lei?
Hawai‘i State Governor Josh Green, M.D., proclaimed 2025 as the “Year of Our Community Forests”, recognizing trees and forests in the wao kanaka: where we live, learn, and play. The theme was developed by the Hawai‘i State Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, the Kaulunani Urban and Community Forest Program, and other partners. The goal of this campaign is to increase awareness of community and urban forests and strengthen connections between people and these forests.
One way we can strengthen our connections with our community and urban forests is to learn about the native and non-native plants in our communities. When making lei, we don’t always need to go ma uka (into the mountains or upland forests) to gather; we can utilize the resources available in our community and urban areas. E ʻai i ka mea i loaʻa—eat what get; or use what you have. This is a Hawaiian proverb that teaches us to be satisfied with what we have. Use what you have in your yard or community. Ask neighbors for plants or go to community areas. This ‘ōlelo no‘eau is also a good reminder for us to be grateful for what we have.
The future of ʻōhiʻa has hope. There are many partners working collaboratively to stop the spread of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death and discovering tools to control or reduce the impacts of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death. Ongoing research efforts include aerial surveys to track the health of ʻōhiʻa forests over time, looking into how the fungi infect the wood, looking at how to treat infected wood to allow for woodworkers to utilize the wood again, looking into natural resistance of species, active sampling of symptomatic trees, and restoration. For ways you can help prevent the spread of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death, see the list below provided by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, and visit this website for more information. We need everyone to pitch in and to do their part to stop the spread of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death so that we can continue to tell our stories about Pele, listen to the Hilo rain, and make lei.
5 things you can do to help prevent the spread of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death:
- Avoid injuring ʻōhiʻa. Wounds serve as entry points for the fungus and increase the odds that the tree will become infected and die from ROD. Avoid pruning and contact with heavy equipment wherever possible. Stay off of ʻōhiʻa roots while walking or hiking.
- Don't move ʻōhiʻa wood or ʻōhiʻa parts. If you don't know where the ʻōhiʻa material is from, don't move it.
- Don't transport ʻōhiʻa inter-island. Follow the Hawaiʻi State Department of Agriculture quarantine rule and help to keep Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death from reaching the other islands.
- Clean your gear/tools. If you must work around or cut ʻōhiʻa, clean tools and gear before and after use, especially when used on infected ʻōhiʻa. Brush all soil off of tools and gear, then spray with 70% rubbing alcohol. Shoes and clothes should also be cleaned before and after entering forests. Wash clothes with hot water and soap.
- Wash the tires and undercarriage of your vehicle with a high pressure water source and remove all soil or mud, especially after traveling from an area with Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death and/or if you have traveled off-road.
