Hawaii State Tree: Kukui

The Kukui tree is Hawaii's official state tree. This tropical broadleaf evergreen grows 20 to 50 feet tall, sometimes reaching 80 feet. The tree has a distinctive pale green appearance from a distance, looking almost white, and appears in broader comparisons within the list of U.S. state trees.

Large heart-shaped leaves measure four to eight inches long. Leaves often have three to five lobes with toothed edges. Small creamy-white flowers bloom in dense clusters at branch ends.

The tree produces walnut-sized fruits about two inches in diameter. Each fruit contains one or two large oily nuts.

The name is Kukui in Hawaiian. Other common names include Candlenut Tree, Candleberry, and Indian Walnut. The scientific name is Aleurites moluccana. The genus name refers to the aleurone layer in seeds.

Kukui means 'light' or 'torch' in Hawaiian. This name comes from the nut's use as a light source. Early Hawaiians burned the oily nuts for illumination. The English name 'candlenut' refers to the same traditional use.

Hawaii designated the Kukui tree on May 1, 1959, through Joint Resolution No. 3. The 30th Territorial Legislature approved it. This occurred months before Hawaii became the 50th state in August 1959, as reflected in states and capital cities reference data.

The kukui replaced the coconut palm as Hawaii's tree symbol. Governor Lawrence McCully Judd declared the coconut palm the territorial tree on March 17, 1930. It served until April 30, 1959.

The legislature chose kukui for its numerous traditional uses and cultural importance. The tree provided ancient Hawaiians with light, oil, medicine, dye, and building materials, consistent with the stewardship themes in Hawaii's state motto.

The kukui is a 'canoe plant' brought by Polynesian voyagers. Early settlers carried essential plant species in their double-hulled canoes during Pacific voyages. Kukui was among the most important plants they transported to Hawaii.

Archaeological evidence shows kukui cultivation in Southeast Asia dating to 13,000 BC. Polynesians spread the tree throughout Pacific islands. The species originated in Malaysia or Indonesia, not Hawaii.

Voyagers selected kukui for its versatility. The tree provided numerous resources crucial for survival. Seeds were easy to transport and grew quickly. This made kukui ideal for establishing new settlements.

The oily nuts served as the primary light source before Western contact. Hawaiians strung candlenuts on palm leaf midribs. They burned the nuts one at a time, each providing light for several minutes. Stone lamps also burned kukui oil.

Fishermen applied kukui oil to calm water surfaces. The oil spread across choppy water, creating a clear view beneath. This helped fishermen see their nets and catch fish. A Hawaiian proverb states 'Pupuhi kukui—malino ke kai' meaning 'spewed kukui nuts—calm seas.'

The nuts provided food when roasted and ground into paste called 'inamona. The oil treated sunburn and wounds. Tree bark made black dye for tapa cloth. The durable wood formed canoes and storage containers.

Hawaii's state flower is the yellow hibiscus (Hibiscus brackenridgei), also called ma'o hau hele. The legislature designated it in 1988. The yellow hibiscus is native to Hawaii but endangered in the wild; see Hawaii's state flower page. White kukui blossoms are Molokai island's official flower.

The silvery-pale green foliage stands out from other Hawaiian trees. Young leaves and branches have star-shaped hairs that create a whitish appearance. This distinctive coloring helps identify kukui forests from a distance.

Large heart-shaped leaves have three to five lobes. The leaves measure four to eight inches long with toothed edges.

Small creamy-white flowers appear in dense clusters at branch ends. The flowers bloom primarily in winter and spring. Walnut-sized fruits turn from green to brown when ripe.

The kukui symbolizes enlightenment, protection, and peace in Hawaiian culture. Its role as a light source connects it to guidance and illumination. The tree represents the resourcefulness of ancient Hawaiians who used every part of the plant. Kukui also honors Polynesian voyaging heritage and the plants that enabled settlement of remote Pacific islands alongside symbols such as the Hawaii state flag.