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Section One
Section Two
Aliens
Introduced to Hawai‘i by the Polynesians
What did the
Polynesian settlers need?
Ivy
Gourd
Polynesians
Changed Hawai‘i
Kalo
Kawainui
Gardening
Dos
Gardening
Don'ts
Alien-Plumeria
Make
Them Different
Favorite
Lei Flowers
Lei
Flower Songs
Problem
Vines
Pest
Plants
Pest
Plant Spreads
Alien-Sugar
Cane
Thirsty
crop
King
Sugar
Sugar
Aliens
Alien-Macadamia
Nut
Australian
Import
Macadamia
Nut Harvesting
Alien-Cattle
Na
Paniolo o Hawai‘i
Cattle
Aliens
Alien-Bulbul
Alien
Birds Of Hawai‘i
Alien-Rabbit
Rabbits
at Haleakala
Wanted
or Unwanted
Legal
in Hawai‘i ?
Pets
Gone Wild
Illegal
Aliens in Hawai‘i
Alien-Wallaby
Wallabies
Master
Collector
Marin
Plants
Farming
Aliens
Section Three
Section Four
What did the Polynesian settlers need? |
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The Polynesians brought animals and plants that provided food, shelter, clothing, and medicine or were used in religious practices.
FoodThe alien animals and plants brought by the Polynesians provided a complete and healthy diet. Poi was made from kalo (taro). Water from the niu (coconut) was tasty and satisfying. Ko (sugarcane) and mai'a (banana) were enjoyed while uhi (yam) and 'uala (sweet potato) were the starches in their diets. Meat came from pua'a (pig), 'ilio (dog) and moa (chicken).
ShelterHawaiians used the leaves of coconut and hala (pandanus) for their hale (house). But the native pili grass, plentiful on all islands, was the favored material for thatching.
ClothingBarkcloth was the fabric for Hawaiian clothing. The first settlers planted wauke (paper mulberry) and other plants used to prepare tapa (barkcloth). Hawaiian tapa is praised for its fine texture, design and color. Hawaiians used the leaves and fibers of plants, both alien and native, to make sandals and protective "raincoats" and for many other purposes.
MedicineMany of the plants brought by the Polynesians were used as medicine. These include kukui (candlenut), noni (Morinda citrifolia), niu (coconut), kalo (taro), ulu (breadfruit), mai'a (banana), ko (sugarcane), 'awa (kawa) and others. Hawaiians also made medicines from the many native plants and seaweeds abundant in the islands.
Other needsSome Polynesian plants had religious importance as offerings, within ceremonies or in the making of sacred images. Plants were also for musical instruments, cordage, adornment, tools, and amusements. |
