ARCH 696 On Behalf of Plants - Dai

ARCH 696 ⮑ Spring 2022

- Field Investigations of and Speculations on Hawai'i's Botanical Future-

KIANA DAI-- COCONUT, NIU

On Behalf of Plants:

01 COLLECT 1A

Chronicle

1B

Chart

1C

Tree Portraiture

1D

Tree Phenology + Morphogenesis

02 Collaborate 2A

Plant Practices + Cultural Production

2B

Plant Perspectives

2C

Plant Products

2D

Dimensions of Production + Performance

03 Speculate 3A

Dimensions of Plant Potential

b e g i n

00 a palm with a multitude of uses, COCONUT IS currently considered an ornamental PLANT in hawai'i nei. when i first embarked on this project, i knew coconuts were important food trees worldwide, and there would be no shortage of information on them. i love to eat coconut products and i wanted to know more about the fascinating fruit and palm, and thought i could predict what i would be learning. however, i didn't expect to be struck by the cultural symbolism and untapped potential tucked into this palm that frames everyday life in hawai'i. coconut palms, niu in olelo hawai'i, are considered an ornamental plant by the state. over hawai'i's history, the perception of this iconic palm has changed drastically and perhaps unexpectedly. how did coconuts go from a plant that gives abundantly to first being associated with rum cocktails, and coconut bras?

How did the coconut become cheapened and sexualized? this was made evident to me on a personal level when folks laughed or looked confused when i told them i chose the coconut palm as the subject of a semester long research project. perhaps people did not

ARCH 696 ⮑ XX INTRO

think the plant interesting or significant enough to learn about for an entire semester? ironically, i have found the opposite, and acknowledge there is so much more information and perspectives than i can possibly fit into this book. in the process of taking the 'aina and culture of hawai'i more seriously, maybe no other tree provides metaphor for the changing cultural connotation of hawai'i's sexualization and commodification. what if niu can also be hawai'i's way back to cultural and food sovereignty and pride? what if a coconut palm, full of a hanging source of sustenance, is a symbol of strength and rilience for hawai'i, looking towards old indigenous away and new adaptive ways of thriving? i hope you, like me, challenge your preconceived notions of the coconut and broaden your mind to a sustainable future full of healing and abundance in hawai'i, accompanied by our very own coconut palm, the niu.

"Why this important food and water source in the rest of Oceania should become just an exotic backdrop for tourists lounging on the beach seems such a travesty and an insult to the kanaka maoli of Hawai'i..."

-Vilsoni hereniko

r e c o r d

1a how will the role of the coconut continue to evolve in hawai'i?

polynesians

the

city.

honolulu

spends

over

$600,000 on coconut trimming

of years ago as one of their

annually

essential canoe plants. like

liability,

kalo, ulu and other important

went

plants currently experiencing

source of strength in hawai'i

revitilization

to an ornamental palm.

niu

(coconut)

important

ARCH 696 ⮑ 1A CHRONICLE

brought

coconut with them thousands

in

hawai'i,

was

source

also of

to

combat

and

from

the

a

this

coconut

provider

and

an

food,

globally,

in

less

than

100

cordage, timber, and fuel for

years, coconut has gone from

a wide myriad of uses in hawai'i.

the most common vegetable

when you look around hawai'i

oil worldwide to a specialty

today,

highly

crop to once again being an

urbanized o'ahu, niu will likely

important export worldwide,

not impress as an important

with

and valuable cultural plant.

products

instead,

niu

agriculture.

stripped

of

especially

on

with

crowns

coconuts

and

must

hundreds

of

for

possible

food

as

the

become

and world

increasingly

stem pock marked from tree

sustainable,

trimmer spikes frame views of

what

leahi and beach parks. since

the production of coconut

a tragic accident in the 1980s

worldwide?

and fthe first recorded death

signifiance

by coconut in hawai'i, these

coconut, especially in hawai'i,

palms

will be the subject of this

posed

as

a

greater

liability than benefit to the

book.

does

this

mean

the and

for role,

future

of

Above: The groves at Coco Palms Resort, Kaua'i, orignally planted as a cash crop, later reinforcing the powerful image of a resort with a coconut palm backdrop.

Right: Coconut Palm, 1871, painted

by Marianne North

1 8 9 6

On Kaua’i, europeans planted thousands of coconuts on in hopes of successfully exporting copra, or coconut oil. coconut became a notoriously unsuccessful cash crop compared to pineapple and sugarcane in hawai'i. The failed venture became backdrop to the iconic Coco Palms resort, now closed and decaying amidst the palms.

1 9 7 0 s

1 tiki culture 9 Donn the Beachcomber and other travelers to Hawai’i begin to commodify a 3 mishmash of Polynesian cultures into “tiki bringing it to the mainland and 4 culture,” profiting off restaurants selling island escapes Coconut palms, coconut thatch and bowls made out of coconut are key associations with the tiki experience.

F U T U R E

The county of Honolulu reevaluated coconut palms in the landscape after the tragic death of a two year old, crushed by falling coconuts during a diaper change. This was the first recorded death by coconuts in Hawai’i’s colonized history.

In response, the hardy coconut palms were deemed a liability in need of biannual pruning, to be stripped of their hazardous drupes.

Coconuts palms are an important source of vegetable oil, healthy saturated fats, electrolytes, and agricultural material such as coir. how can hawai'i and other tropical regions further appreciate these benefits and participate in the coconut global economy? furthermore, how can hawai'i reclaim the coconut's resources in a hawaiian cultural context?

dwarf coconut plantations: in hawai'i's future?

donn the beachcomber

kodak hula show

depiction of captiain cook being received by hawaiian ali'i

tiki bars, from the pacific to socal and back again royal hawaiian hotel, and remnant of helumoa grove

pig tailed macaques trained to pick coconuts

kamehameha v

the royal grove at helumoa, oahu's seat of power for centuries 1960: coconut oil is the top vegetable oil worldwide

statue of ku, bishop museum on the ground in wwii, across the pacific

p r e

Coconut groves signified great power, masculinity, and strength in war, given they were manifestations c of the War God Ku.

o n t a c t

Only men were allowed to drink or eat products from the coconut.

niu nursery, uh west oahu niu now! project

1 9 5 0 s

coconut palms frame paradise after wwii soldiers came home from tours in the pacific, the exotic tropical culture of Hawai’i, along with the illegal annexation of Hawai’i by the United Sates, drew thousands from the mainland to Hawaii’s shores. Coconuts swaying in the breeze became associated with this romantic, idolized version of Hawai’i.

all the uses for coconut, what can N Given the future look like for this iconicized palm?

O In other tropical countries, coconuts are a source of industry and sustenance. In hawai'i, W the palms are considered ornamental. There are opportunities in hawai'i to challenge our stereotypes of niu. to grow Niu correctly is to rethink where it can be planted in our landscape. in the words of aunty manu and niunow, "Pono palm, pono place."

c h a r t

1b trace the coconut's path through its name and genome

coconuts fruits are some of the

history.even

original

sequence

this the

worldwide

palm

traveled

currents

even

voyagers.

before

of

tolerant

and

can see

its roots in one or the other

pacific

coconut population.

its thick, husk

has

Zooming in more closely on the pacific, coconuts are lifelines

been known to dirft upwards

to

of 800 days in the ocean! It

hydration and ensuring survival

drifts far beyond its growable

in a new land. research points to

tropical latitudes, a treasure

polynesians

and fascination to those who

with them to hawai'i, and some of

find

the oldest groves were planted

coconuts

gracing

their

temperate shores.

there

is

only

ocean

travelers

providing

bringing coconuts

on the leeward side of o'ahu.

in

we can trace polynesian voyages

the genus cocos, despite this,

by following the evolution of

as the coconut moved across

the word for coconut, in hawai'i

the world with humans, there

"niu,"

emerged

genetic

origins outwards. Other regions

groups: the indian and pacific

such as japan, whose word for

populations. different explorers,

coconut is kokoyashi, give us hint

portuguese

of the geographical boundaries

brought

two

one

species

distinct

and

austronesian,

coconuts

with

them

at on different voyages across ARCH 696 ⮑ 1B CHART

we

traveled

those same currents. saltwater

today coconut

across

the

humans

a

these

from

its

austronesian

polynesian

travelled.

voyagers

Above: Historic postage stamps of coconuts, from Keeling Islands Right Upper: Depiction of Polynesian Canoes. transpacificproject.com

ancient Source:

Right Lower: Portuguese ship Santa Catarina of Mount Sinai, painted by Joachim Patinir, ~1512.

Below: Europeans have found coconuts washing upon their shore as prized treasures, carving the endocarp (shell) into treasured goblets.

ARCH 696 --> Spring 2022

Dai

ARCH 696 --> Spring 2022

Dai

o b s e r v e

1c “In natural science the principles of truth ought to be confirmed by observation.”

- Carl Linnaeus Cocos nucifera is the only palm in the cocos genus, in the palm family, areaceae. it is a fascinating and complex monocot. in hawai'i, many of us may have incorrect conceptions of coconut and what it looks like-- the palm crown without fruit, the stem with pock marks, and even what the fruit looks like when hanging on the tree. when we draw sketches of coconut, we draw the coconuts hanging without the husk, showing the three eyes! admittedly, i was also not completely clear on the botany of niu before pursuing this project. we

need

ARCH 696 ⮑ 1C PLANT PORTRAITURE

to

more

closely

observe niu-- the varieties of its height, fruit, shape and size, to be more in tune with this plant and how the right palm can be chosen in the right places in our communities. maybe paying more attention to these palms will remind hawai'i of why the palm is so valuable! from multifunctional fruit to plentiful fronds to sweet nectar from the inflorescence, the botan of this palm is underappreciated. though niu is technically not a "tree," we can think of niu as a tree in the sense of how it shades, nurtures, grounds and provides for us, like many trees we cherish.

leaning toward wind

inflorescence before removed

coconuts removed

wind

wind

basalt and sandy particles

sandy and grassy

ko'olina, 'oahu perhaps one of the many palms relocated from waianae to the beach parks to create a more "resort" feel in the 1980s at ko'olina.

ARCH 696 --> Spring 2022

punalu'u beach park, hawai'i island coconuts lean toward the wind, unlike most plants, to improve their chances of getting enough sun. the soil is eroded from lava fields and coconuts are one of the few plants able to survive the salty, harsh environment.

Dai

ARCH 696 --> Spring 2022

Dai

d e v e l o p

1D coconut is a fascinating plant at all stages of growth

it seems many folks in urban hawai'i are not familiar with all the stages of a coconut's development. It makes sense, considering the majority of the palms we see are empty of fruit and inflorescence. in contrast, in other parts of the pacific, especially on other pacific islands, coconut is an essential plant for survival. people know the plant's benefits at each development stage intimately. hawaiians had one word, niu, for the palm generally, and then specific words for every distinct stage of the ripening coconut. this shows how much value the coconut had for hawaiians! a palm that can live longer than 100 years, the coconut palm develops quickly and produces fruit constantly for the majority of its life. a dwarf palm will begin producing fruit at about 5 years old,

ARCH 696 ⮑ 1D PLANT PHENOLOGY

and tall trees at 7 years. it develops its leaf fronds in a spiral around the stem. at each leaf petiole grows an inflorescence spathe. this spathe takes almost 2 years to open, then 14-16 months for the pollinated fruit to fully ripen. the result is incredible after this almost 3 year journey, producing coconuts good for water, meat, and oil along the way! the good news is that coconut palms are producing new leaves constantly, so this process is staggered leaf to leaf, meaning coconuts are ripening nearly monthly. it truly is a plant of constant abundance. if more palms in hawai'i developed fruit, and kama'aina were more in sync with the rhythms of the coconut, maybe we would be also embrace the abundance and beauty in the process which the coconut so generously reminds us of.

ARCH 696 --> Spring 2022

Dai

ARCH 696 --> Spring 2022

Dai

C U L T I V A T E

2A coconuts are the backbone of tropical agroforestry.

coconut is an essential agroforestry plant around the tropical world. when thinking about the amount of crops possibly to grow in a short space, coconut takes up very little space and consistently produces fruit all year round for decades-- it checks all the boxes and then some! uluniu, coconut groves, were used by hawaiians in many different conditions, but especially rocky or difficult soil where it was challenging to grow anything else. niu was intercropped with ulu, both resilient trees, hence the name uluniu. in other agroforestry systems, niu has been intercropped with coffee, vanilla, banana, cocoa, ohia 'ai, papaya, and others. it also mutually benefits a silvopasture setup, stabilizing soil while the cows provide

ARCH 696 ⮑ 2A PLANT PRACTICES

soil nutrients. today, we should think about using niu in every agricultural system we design. but to do this, hawai'i needs a ready supply of sprouted coconuts ready to plant. in preparation for this book, i wanted to obtain a sprouted coconut, and i went to three different farmers markets with no success in obtaining a sprouted coconut. at home depot, sprouted coconuts can cost several hundred dollars. the wonderful folks at niunow are creating an uluniu grove on uh west oahu campus, all while educating the community on sustainable agricultural practices, hawaiian culture related to niu, and how to increase hawaiian healing, freedom and food sovereignty in hawai'i.

ARCH 696 --> Spring 2022

Dai

C O L L A B O R A T E

2B unless the current brought it in, that coconut palm was planted intentionally by a person.

unlike most trees, coconuts need to be planted by people or live just along the high tide edge. it is safe to say that if a plant is any other location, it has been moved by humans or in some locations, maybe a super clever monkey. we've chosen to move this plant across vast oceans and into inland valleys because of the value it provides us. there have been distinct advantages for growing uluniu, coconut groves, nearby housing and agricultural plots to interact with crops and provide supplies for people. a tree of almost infite uses, coconut is a lifeline for many communities across the tropics, preventing starvation and dehydration. it also provides tools needed for shelter, fishing and more. if i were to choose any tree to be stranded with, it would definitely be a coconut! few other plants can thrive in practically sand and

ARCH 696 ⮑ 2B PLANT COLLABORATION

saltwater conditions. in hawai'i, niu has been an important plant for hula, cordage, and fuel in addition to food and water. traditionally, the plant could only be touched by men, as it was a kinolau (spiritual manifestation) of the god ku. it was made into a huge variety of materials, from cordage to hula drums to mulch to cups and fans. in modern day hawai'i, we can learn from the way hawaiians previously utilized all parts of the plants. here i have recorded some simple ways to make coconut milk and haupia, getting back to basics of how to interact with niu by interacting with coconut milk fresh from the fruit. to build upon this idea, we can also imagine new uses for coconut, like furthering the use of coconut coir in sustainable agriculture, and using coconut to produce increasing amounts of local food in hawai'i on an amplified scale.

Native Hawaiian family on the beach, 1907

ARCH 696 --> Spring 2022

Dai

ARCH 696 --> Spring 2022

Dai

ARCH 696 --> Spring 2022

Dai

c o h a b i t

2C coconut groves, uluniu, have been planted for many reasons in hawai'i.

Given the vast ethnobotanical uses of niu in Hawai’i, from rope to building material to hul instruments to food, there are various known Native Hawaiian planting configurations, generalized as royal groves, familial stands, and agroforestry intercropping.

was buried underneath the sprouting niu for various benefits: as fertilizer, to encourage round coconuts like an octopus’ head, and to spread strong roots holding the palm securely against wind. The palm will provide food and resources for the child’s life, or even beyond.

In Hawaiian culture, the perception of niu was not just as a useful plant, but also a symbol of power, strength and intimidation of your enemies.

These groves functioned in ethnobotanical ways as well, even if their main intention was to mark an important site, like Kamehmeha V’s summer place at Helumoa or the royal grove at Kupaiwa, Moloka’i.

Lastly, niu was an important agroforestry crop especially given its ability to create a tall overstory with dappled shade, and its flexibility to survive in many soil types.

In fertile soil conditions, it could frequently be found planted with ‘ulu, mai’a, and ‘uala. When soils were rocky and the preferred kalo and ‘uala couldn’t be planted, Hawaiians intercropped niu and ‘ulu. This is especially seen on Hawai’i Island with younger, rockier soil.

For use by individual families, niu was planted in agricultural settings not far from the hale, and often planted to honor a child’s birth. A he’e, or octopus,

ARCH 696 ⮑ 2C DIMENSIONS OF COLLABORATION

Overall, humans in Hawai’i have intentionally shaped the niu

Kupaiwa Royal Grove, Moloka'i.

Photo courtesy of Hana Fulghum.

ARCH 696 --> Spring 2022

Dai

Niu were a sign of power and strength for hawaiian people. at the estates of important chiefs, such as kamehmeha V's summer palace at helumoa, thousands of niu were planted to show dominance and discourage rebellion.

ARCH 696 --> Spring 2022

on the grounds of what is now the royal hawaiian hotel, there were over 10,000 niu in the 1800s at helumoa. mainly planted as a sign of strength, these trees only needed about 10' distance and did not display intercropping.

Dai

A C C O M P A N Y

2D without human intervention, coconuts would only be in coastal strand comunities. because coconuts will travel across the currents and plant itself in coastal communities, it will only grow naturally with a specific coastal strand tropical community. this group of plants is effective at stabilizing the soil, dealing with high salinity, and tolerating intense wind and sea spray exposure. in hawai'i, since they were brought with the polynesians, the coconut has been "adopted" into the local coastal strand community and naturally would grow among hala, naupaka, ilima and the like. today, we utilize our beach coastal strands very differently than the early hawaiians. we have often decided to build coastal mansions on those fragile

ARCH 696 ⮑ 2D PLANT PERSPECTIVES + COMPANIONS

dunes, preventing our ability to control for erosion or have a buffer with sea level rise. we also have an understandable culture of liability, making it impossible to grow tall coconut palms along shorelines where people will be walking and playing underneath. therefore, this coastal strand community as it is known here and in many places around the world is not possible. it may be possible to have areas of hawai'i where this coastal strand community is possible once again, if thought about strategically and with safety in mind. perhaps if reimplemented, this community could protect our shorelines from erosion and be a valuable planting in property setbacks from rising waterlines.

Coastal Strand Community Wayasewa, Fiji

1" = 10'

ARCH 696 --> Spring 2022

Dai

S P E C U L A T E

3A Niu's ethnobotanical value in Hawai'i

Given the vast ethnobotanical uses of niu in Hawai’i, from rope to building material to hul instruments to food, there are various known Native Hawaiian planting configurations, generalized as royal groves, familial stands, and agroforestry intercropping.

In Hawaiian culture, the perception of niu was not just as a useful plant, but also a symbol of power, strength and intimidation of your enemies.

These groves functioned in ethnobotanical ways as well, even if their main intention was to mark an important site, like Kamehmeha V’s summer place at Helumoa or the royal grove at Kupaiwa, Moloka’i.

For use by individual families, niu was planted in agricultural settings not far from the hale, and often planted to honor a child’s birth. A he’e, or octopus, was buried underneath the sprouting niu for various benefits: as fertilizer, to encourage round coconuts like an octopus’ head, and to spread strong roots holding the palm securely against wind. The palm will provide

ARCH 696 ⮑ 3A PLANT POTENTIALS

food and resources for the child’s life, or even beyond.

Lastly, niu was an important agroforestry crop especially given its ability to create a tall overstory with dappled shade, and its flexibility to survive in many soil types.

In fertile soil conditions, it could frequently be found planted with ‘ulu, mai’a, and ‘uala. When soils were rocky and the preferred kalo and ‘uala couldn’t be planted, Hawaiians intercropped niu and ‘ulu. This is especially seen on Hawai’i Island with younger, rockier soil.

Overall, humans in Hawai’i have intentionally shaped the niu landscape with their planting.

It is certainly a tree that has coevolved with humans.

Mus adduc me publiam peri iam tem ego aut in retrum.

Ivere, deps, sent fatiliam mora? Palabi pubitrum ressedi patis clerei peris. Inprorei publiquemus med mantin trum, termisquo non te ius, ficum patatiam inverem iu me acion Etri patrus lictor loc re in simoveri pos publiquium mei fur, consupplin Ita nost vius, que it. Te nos or ute ignatior inte non delatus es conihil nessestiam factus nonsimi

Above: Postcards advertising Hawai'i showed lush landscapes framed by coconut palms.

Right Upper: Coconuts can act as pioneer species, able to grow on the harsh, exposed lava fields and prepare the soil for plants to come.

Below: The former site of Helumoa, Waikiki's Royal Hawaiian Hotel embraced the coconut palms as part of the visitor's experience, reframing a royal grove to a tourist's playground.

1" = 20' ARCH 696 --> Spring 2022

Dai

ARCH 696 --> Spring 2022

Dai

r e f e r e n c e s

Abbott, Isabella Aiona. La'au Hawai'i: Traditional Hawaiian Use of Plants. Bishop Museum Press, 1992.

Bourdeix, Roland, et al. Coconut: A Guide to Traditional and Improved Varieties. Editions Diversiflora, 2014.

Burden, Ryan, and Margaret Baker Dahm. Coconut Information: A Guide to the Greatest Plant on Earth. The Coconut Information Project, 2018.

Elevitch, Craig R., and Edward Chan. “Cocos Nucifera.” Traditional Trees of Pacific Islands: Their Culture, Environment and Use, Permanent Agriculture Resources, Holualoa, HI, 2006, pp. 1–45.

Krauss, Beatrice H. “Ethnobotany of the Hawaiians.” Received by Harold L. Lyon Arboretum, 15 May 1974, Honolulu, HI. Lincoln, Noa Kekuewa, and Peter Vitousek. “Indigenous Polynesian Agriculture in Hawai'i.” Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Environmental Science, 2017, https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199389414.013.376.

Lutz, Diana. “Deep History of Coconuts Decoded - the Source - Washington University in St. Louis.” The Source, 9 Feb. 2021, https://source.wustl.edu/2011/06/deep-history-of-coconuts-decoded/.

McAvoy, Audrey. “Hawaii Takes Aim at Inauthentic Island Icons.” USA Today, Gannett Satellite Information Network, 14 Oct. 2012, https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/2012/10/14/hawaii-tourism-grass-skirts-tikibars/1624825/.

Meyer, Manulani. “The Uluniu Project.” NIU NOW, 2022, https://niunow.org/the-ulu-niu-project/.

Reynolds, S. G. “Some Factors of Importance in the Integration of Pastures and Cattle with Coconuts (Cocos Nucifera).” Journal of Biogeography, vol. 15, no. 1, Jan. 1988, p. 31., https://doi.org/10.2307/2845043.

Staples, George, and Derral R. Herbst. A Tropical Garden Flora: Plants Cultivated in the Hawaiian Islands and Other Tropical Places. Bishop Museum Press, 2006.

Sunburn, Curt. “Trees of Life.” Hana Hou!, 2008, https://hanahou.com/11.1/trees-of-life.

ARCH 696 ⮑ REFERENCES. MAHALO!