Naupaka Kahakai & Naupaka Kuahiwi
(scaevola taccada ; scaevola gaudichaudiana )
Common Name: Beach Naupaka, Mountain Naupka
Beach Naupaka is indigenous to Hawai‘i and Mountain Naupaka is endemic
Naupaka Kahakai is also known as the Beach naupaka. The scientific name of this plant is Scaevola sericea or formally known as the S. taccada. This hardy beach plant is indigenous and non-endemic to Hawaii. The plant produces white seeds that are able to float on salt water and are very juicy. The flowers occur in small clusters and seem to be split and look like only half the flower is present. The beach naupaka is one of eight species of naupaka in Hawaii. The plant is dense with spreading shrubs that are up to 10 feet tall and 6-15 feet wide. The naupaka kahakai has large leaves that are thick and pulpy and colored light green, it grows along coastlines and helps mitigate sand erosion.
Naupaka Kuahiwi or Mountain Naupaka is endemic to Hawaii and shares the half flower of the beach naupaka but it’s leaves are slender and serrated and it also offers a fragrant scent often compared to the cereal, Trix. There are many, many stories and variations surrounding the Naupaka Myth and these two unusual half flower plants.
The Legend of Naupaka
The basic story of the Naupaka legend is that there is a devoted couple deeply in love that are separated by forces beyond their control. Because of the variations of this story it probably does not have an historical precedence, rather each community came up with it's own explanation for the existence of two half flower plants.
Big Island Legend
As the story goes two devoted lovers, came to the attention of the Goddess Pele. Pele found the young man desirable and appeared before him as a beautiful stranger. But no matter what Pele did the lovers remained devoted to one another.
Angered, Pele chased the young man into the mountains, throwing molten lava at him. Pele's sisters witnessed this and to save the young man from a certain death, they changed him into the mountain Naupaka. Pele immediately went after the young woman and chased her towards the sea - but again Pele's sisters stepped in and changed the young lover into beach Naupaka.
It is said that if the mountain Naupaka and beach Naupaka flowers are reunited, the two young lovers will be together again.
Another version goes, The Princess Naupaka is a sister of Pele who's lover refuses the advances of the hot headed Goddess. In this version Pele flys into a jealous rage, killing her sister in the mountains, then pursuing her sisters paramour down the mountain and killing him near the shore. From the spot where the Princess was struck down the Kuahiwi Naupaka sprouted, and from the spot of her slain lover the Kahakai Naupaka.
The Kaua`i Legends
as told by Jacob Maka of Haena, the story involves the lovers Nanau and Kapaka who have broken a hula kapu the night before their `ûniki (graduation). Wrapped in their pô`ele cloaks, they flee across Limahuli stream, passing Waialoha spring and Maniniholo cave. They race across the flats of Naue pursued relentlessly by their kumu.
Reaching Lumahai beach, they separate, Nanau scampering up the cliffs and Kapaka hiding in the beach cave of Ho`ohila. As the kumu approached the cliffs, Kapaka emerged from the cave blocking the way, hoping to give her lover time to escape. Enraged, the kumu struck Kapaka dead and pressed up the cliff intent on punishing the other disobedient student. Far up the ridge, Nanau heard the screams of Kapaka and turned back to rescue his beloved. It was at Pu`uomanu he encountered the teacher and was struck mortally.
Later that very same day, Lumahai fishermen discovered a plant, never before seen, growing on the spot where Kapaka died. The plant had fleshy leaves and small white fruit resembling congealed tears and half a flower. Returning to Pu`uomanu, the kumu found another strange plant with half a flower also, growing on the spot where Nanau died.
Another version goes, there was a beautiful Hawaiian princess known as Naupaka. One day, the villagers noticed that Naupaka looked very sad. They told her parents, who approached Naupaka and asked her what was troubling her.
“I have fallen in love with a man named Kaui,” replied the princess. “But Kaui is not of noble birth—he is a commoner.” According to Hawaiian tradition, it was strictly forbidden for members of royalty to marry people from the common ranks.
Distressed, Naupaka and Kaui traveled long and far, seeking a solution to their dilemma. They climbed up a mountain to see a kahuna who was staying at a heiau (temple). Alas, he had no clear answer for the young lovers. “There is nothing I can do,” he told them, “but you should pray. Pray at this heiau.”
So they did. And as they prayed, rain began to fall. Their hearts torn by sorrow, Naupaka and Kaui embraced for a final time. Then Naupaka took a flower from her ear and tore it in half, giving one half to Kaui. “The gods won’t allow us to be together,” she said. “You go live down by the water, while I will stay up here in the mountains.”
As the two lovers separated, the naupaka plants that grew nearby saw how sad they were. The very next day, they began to bloom in only half flowers.
Lei Naupaka
`O `oe ku`u lei o Naupaka
Ke onaona a ke aloha
Hau`oli mau kâua
I nâ pua `ala onaona
A pili mau loa kâua
He pua no `oe
Ho`opa `ia e ke kêhau
Ko maka palupalu
Mau momi `âlohilohi
Maliu mai e ku`u pua
Na`u e inu i kou nani
Pûlama a mâlama
`O Naupaka
You are my lei of Naupaka
The soft fragrance of love
We will always be happy
The flowers, so fragrant
Two of us, together forever
You are my flower
Touched by dew
Your gentle eyes
Radiant, like pearls
Turn to me, my blossom
Your beauty, mine to indulge
(I will) cherish and care for you
Naupaka
Pua Po'alima - Friday's Flower is a serial post featuring some of Hawai'i's revered and celebrated blossoms that have inspired artists, lovers, and poets in times past and today.
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Pua Po'alima - Friday's Flower The Legendary Naupaka
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