Cyperus javanicus
[syn. Mariscus javanicus]
Polynesian Names: ʻAhuʻawa (Hawaiʻi); ʻEhuʻawa (Hawaiʻi), Mahele (ʻUvea); Māhelehele (Tonga); Māselehele (Futuna); Mauku tatau tai (Cook Islands); Moʻu haʻari (Society Islands); Mouku (Marquesas); Mouʻu (Austral Islands, Marquesas); Selesele (Samoa)
Cyperaceae
Indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands
Oʻahu (Cultivated)
Early Hawaiians pounded stems of ʻahuʻawa until they were only fibers and used them as strainers for ʻawa or niu (coconut), and as cordage. Fibers soaked for a few hours to free pulp, dried in the sun for a day or two, and then could be used. The fibers were very durable lasting two years or more. The cordage was used for cords (hāwele) or nets (kōkō puʻupuʻu) designed to carry ʻumeke (food or water containers).
The stringy fibers were also made into brushes to paint color onto tapa.
The leaves and seed/fruit were used in lei.
NPH00009
Cyperus javanicus
[syn. Mariscus javanicus]
Polynesian Names: ʻAhuʻawa (Hawaiʻi); ʻEhuʻawa (Hawaiʻi), Mahele (ʻUvea); Māhelehele (Tonga); Māselehele (Futuna); Mauku tatau tai (Cook Islands); Moʻu haʻari (Society Islands); Mouku (Marquesas); Mouʻu (Austral Islands, Marquesas); Selesele (Samoa)
Cyperaceae
Indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands
Oʻahu (Cultivated)
Early Hawaiians pounded stems of ʻahuʻawa until they were only fibers and used them as strainers for ʻawa or niu (coconut), and as cordage. Fibers soaked for a few hours to free pulp, dried in the sun for a day or two, and then could be used. The fibers were very durable lasting two years or more. The cordage was used for cords (hāwele) or nets (kōkō puʻupuʻu) designed to carry ʻumeke (food or water containers).
The stringy fibers were also made into brushes to paint color onto tapa.
The leaves and seed/fruit were used in lei.
NPH00009