'Ulu or Breadfruit

One of our goals at Koili Point is to become completely self-sustaining. For centuries, the Hawaiian islands were entirely sustainable, and only in recent history has this begun to change. From food to energy, the islands are being pushed to their limits.

Native Hawaiians were able to maintain the natural balance present in the islands through a number of ways, but it was not always easy. Legends in Hawaiian mythology arose from times of struggle. One such legend being that of Ku (the god of war) and the 'ulu (breadfruit) tree. It is said that Ku was married to a human woman when a famine struck, and faced with a starving village, the god buried himself, only to emerge from the earth as an 'ulu tree, feeding the entirety of the village.

The 'ulu tree can produce fruits weighing up to 12 pounds and grows to heights over 80 feet, but what is most remarkable is that one tree can sustain an entire family for decades once it starts fruiting.

We have planted an 'ulu tree uphill of the berm, just past the paklan tree. In this picture you can see the large, glossy leaves of the tree. Ours is only a few years old, but it has already grown quite tall!

Breadfruit is very versatile in cooking — so I've been told — and can be used at almost any stage of ripeness, each stage requiring its own method of preparation ranging from a quick boiling to raw consumption!

Finally, I want to leave you with a Hawaiian Place Name and its translation. Today's place name is ' Pahoa '. Pahoa is an area just south of Hilo. The word itself means dagger or knife, a symbol that, when held upside down, denotes peace and strength.

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