Hawaiian Gardenia (Na`u)

E Komo Mai! Welcome!

When we bought the land about 8 years ago, it was covered in elephant grass — or cane grass as it's commonly called. 12 feet high with course stems and virtually impenetrable. It covered the whole property. The only exceptions were the coconut trees near the bluff, some sugar cane remnants that reminded folks of the land's most recent 100 year history being that of a sugar cane plantation; and taro that an old-time plantation worker had also planted near the bluff as well. Unbeknownst to us however, hiding in the tall grass near the top of the property, was a tiny plant.

We found it after a tractor driver had mowed the cane grass. After he cut it, we were able to walk the property. Right near the blacktop on the ocean side of that little road, we saw this little stick growing out of the ground six inches high.

We came back a few weeks later to dream about our future plans and we saw that the plant, whatever it was, was growing! We were super excited!

Unfortunately, a few weeks after that, the lawn maintenance group that we had hired to cut the grass mowed over it again and reduced it back down to about 6 inches.

Seeing that, we figured we would give the plant a chance and offered it protection. We knew it had to be pretty hardy as it was mowed once and came back. We circled the stick with bricks and put a little flag to highlight so the lawn guy wouldn't mow over it again. Happily, the plant was showing signs of life when we came back a few weeks later. We were committed to help this plant grow from that day onwards.

It continued to grow and, not surprisingly, it just needed to not get chopped down every 3 weeks and get some sunshine and natural rainfall in order to flourish.

Fast forward to today, and we all get to enjoy one of the most pleasant smelling flowers on the property. The plant has really taken root and shows its appreciation by flowering virtually throughout the year. We think it's the Hawaiian Gardenia or Na`u.

If any of you are horticultural experts, please correct me if it's the Tahitian Gardenia — or something else! The Hawaiian Gardenia is very rare so I am hoping it's that.

Lastly, I want to leave you with a Hawaiian Place Name and its translation. Today's place name is "Koili Point". Koili translates to: "To rest on, as the moon on the surface of the sea".

As you sit on our lanai or in the hot tub, you will see the full moon rising and its light gently resting on the surface of the ocean. And once you see it, you will know why we named our place Koili Point.

Every full moon rises from the East so there are about 13 opportunities a year to witness this delight!

Aloha!

Check availability for both houses at: https://www.airbnb.com/p/oceanfront-ac-pool

If there are topics you would like to know more about in future blogs, kindly let me know at koilipoint@gmail.com. Mahalo! Len