In 1959, the kukui nut tree was named the State Tree of Hawaii, and with good reason. Almost every part of this flowering tree has been found to be useful in traditional Hawaiian lifestyle and culture. As the tree is also a symbol of light, hope, and renewal, the choice was obvious.

It’s impossible to say exactly when the kukui nut tree first came to Hawaii. Evidence shows that the tree, also known as the candlenut, was widely introduced into the Pacific Islands by early voyagers.

Although kukui nuts are slightly toxic when raw, the nut is used by many cultures when cooked. In Hawaii, the roasted nut is ground together with sea salt and seaweed. The mixture becomes ‘inamona, used to flavor traditional Island poké. You can watch ‘inamona being made on YouTube, or purchase a jar from one of the larger Island grocery stores.

Leis were, and are, made from the shells, leaves and flowers of the kukui. Hula dancers utilize its bark and nuts for their costumes. Traditionaly, the burned soot of the nuts was used for tattoos, for designs on kapa cloth and canoes, and for staining surfboards. The tree’s inner bark produced a red-brown dye for use on kapa. Oil from the nuts was used as a kind of varnish; a coating of kukui oil helped to preserve fishing nets. Fishermen would chew the nuts, then spit them on the surface of the water which would remove reflections, allowing better underwater visibility

The kukui tree has a soft wood, not as strong or long lasting as hardwood. So, kukui wood was used for building canoe seats, and gunwales. Sometimes, though, smaller fishing canoes were crafted from the tree’s wood.

It’s not hard to imagine that even the toughest Hawaiian skin took a beating from the elements. Luckily, a safe and multi-use remedy was available on a nearby tree. Kukui oil helped protect exposed skin, as well as acting as a healing agent for sun and wind burn. It was even effective for treating other skin problems, such as acne, and eczema. The flowers were chewed to relieve mouth sores, and the sap was used to treat chapped lips, and cold sores.

The kukui tree’s claim to fame is that the oil laden nuts burn, and with such regularity that they could be used to measure time. A row of kukui nuts, strung on the midrib of a palm leaf, would be lit at one end. The nuts burned one by one, each taking about 15 minutes to burn completely.

Oil was also extracted from the nuts to burn in stone oil lamps. The lamp wicks were made of kapa cloth. The lamps were called kukui hele po which translates to “light, darkness goes.”

The name Kukui’ula (‘ula meaning red or scarlett) comes from the three signal fires that for many years were lit nightly on Kauai’s southern coast. The red flames likely showed ancient mariners that they’d reached safety.

The early Pacific voyagers knew what was needed to live and prosper, and that knowledge has been passed from generation to generation through the exceptional kukui nut tree.