Enchanted Lake

Visited friends at Enchanted Lake yesterday.

Did you like the lei I was wearing in the picture? I learnt that this kind of lei is made of Kukui Nut, and it has a significant meaning in the Hawaii culture. In antient times, Hawaii Kukui nut leis were worn by the royalty to honor the life-giving force of Lono and to show their social status. For them it was like wearing a lei of light providing hope, healing and protection. Hawaiians also used their Kukui seed leis as prayer beads, over time increasing their beauty by filling them with their Mana (spiritual energy).

The kukui tree is one of the most common trees seen in Hawaii’s forests. The tree has light colored green leaves covered with a fine silvery powder. The tree grows to eighty feet tall, has fragrant white flowers, eight inch maple leaf shaped leaves and a twisted trunk and branches. This beautiful tree is the state tree of Hawaii.
The kukui nut had many uses such as:

light
navigation
stimulant
laxative
Hair tonic
Used for making shampoo and spiritual purposes;




The kukui kernels and leaves were boiled to make a tonic used as a remedy for:
Headaches
Fevers
Ulcers
Swollen Joints

Kukui nut oil provided light for the first Hawaiian torches. The oil is used for massages, moisturizing the skin, and many other healing benefits. Early Hawaiians used Kukui nut candles' burning period as their track of time.


I would like to use some kukui nuts if I could find them here!