Kalo Varieties

Which variety of kalo is the best? The one that's in the bowl on the table. - Jerry Konanui, Hawaiian Mahi‘ai

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‘Elepaio Hā Kea

‘Elepaio Hā Kea, 023

‘Elepaio Hā Kea: Native variety; it got its name because the spots on the leaf are similar to the ‘Elepaio bird's feathers. ‘Elepaio is a flycatcher bird. The name may also refer to how the kalo grew wild near the forest where the bird lived. Or the name may refer to how the farmer would plant the kalo at dawn when the ‘Elepaio bird was singing. Kea refers to the light-colored Hā (Petiole).

Use As Food

Makes good poi of a light gray color.

Distribution

Found mainly on Hawai‘i in small patches, mainly under dryland culture (māla).

General Characteristics

Short to medium in height, moderately spreading, stocky, maturing within 7 to 12 months, producing from 5 to 10 ‘ohā; readily identified by green- and white- patchy color (mottled) lū ‘au (leaves).

Ha (Petiole)

50 to 75 cm. long, fairly rigid, green— and white-striped. According to Jerry Konanui, the hā (petiole) is green with white stripes. Sometimes pink will show at the edge (lihi). The color of the kōhina (ring at the base) may change between generations. It may be a pale pink ring or a white ring. The hā is white for 3 to 4 cm. above the kōhina.

Lau or Lu'au(Leaf Blade)

35 to 50 cm. long, 25 to 35 cm, wide, 30 to 40 cm. from tip to base of sinus (māwae), narrow arrow head-shaped (sagittate), fairly firm in texture, slightly concave (curve inward), green- and white— patchy color (mottled) ; margins wave-like (undulate); piko small, yellowish; round leaf section (lobes) acute with very narrow lihi māwae (sinus).

'I'o kalo (Corm)

Flesh light pink with pink fibers.

Pua (Flower)

H& #257; (peduncle) green- and white-patchy color (mottled); flower cover (spathe) 17.5 to 18 cm. long, the lower tubular portion about 2.5 cm. long, green—and white—patchy color (mottled), the upper portion yellow patchy color (mottled) with white, slightly open near constriction (skinny part of flower); spadix (spike of flower) 6 cm. long, the sterile appendage (tip of flower’s spike) 7 to 8 mm. long.

Remarks

This variety displays true variegation, and the striking green and white mottling of the leaves makes the plant very attractive. The amount of white area varies to a certain extent, according to environmental conditions. 91. ‘Elepaio Hā Uliuli and 23. ‘Elepaio Hā Kea are similar in appearance with their spotted leaves. The differences are, 1. The lū ‘au (leaf) of ‘Elepaio Hā Uliuli is more ovate (round) than the leaf of ‘Elepaio Hā Kea, which is more narrow (sagittate). 2. The Hā of ‘Elepaio Hā Uliuli is a darker red color at maturity. ‘Elepaio Hā Kea is green. 3. The corm color of ‘Elepaio Hā Uliuli is white, with yellowish fibers. The corm color of ‘Elepaio Hā Kea is light pink with pink fibers.