Mokihana

In our Kauaʻi collection, we focus on some of the lesser-known plants of our beautiful island, those that were once symbols of Kauaʻi's diverse ecosystem. Both Peʻahi and Ālua are now endangered (or might even be extinct) in the wild and Mokihana is very difficult to find but we hope that by showcasing them we can bring awareness to the important and on-going conservation work that is being done to keep them alive for generations to come.

Native to Kauaʻi, this shrub or small tree has leathery, oval-shaped leaves and fruit that impart a strong anise fragrance. The fruit are prized for lei making and traditionally all parts of the plant were used to scent kapa. The oils of the plant are highly acidic and can cause burns it comes into contact with bare skin. Mokihana is part of the Melicope family, which has several species throughout the Pacific. About a third of them are endemic to Hawaiʻi and these were once segregated into a separate genus, Pelea, named for the goddess Pele.