KIAWE

                "Kiawe" is the common Hawaiian name for a tree that grows in many parts of the world. In Texas, it's known as Mesquite and is known for its dense wood that is often used in making barbeque fires.  This plant is known to be very drought resistant and the ability to send out distant roots to search for moisture. It will grow in beach sand so it is likely salt tolerant.  But it will also grow to about the 2,000 feet elevation in the Kohala area.  The shapes that develop are very different!

                For many years, we did not think of this plant for bonsai.  But about 1985,  some have been discovered growing in accumulated dust and natural humus in shallow lava depression pans in South Kohala.  Since the roots are totally confined within the lava pans,   they have been successfully collected with promising results to date.

                Kiawe represents a different type of tropical bonsai inspiration.  Trunks are not heavy with any real amount of taper.  But trunks are very sinewy with furrows similar to Hawaiian Wild Olive. Trunks seem to snake along the ground and something tells it to start growing upwards like a normal tree should.  At other times, they grow a few feet above the ground and are great for the kids to play on or to use as benches.  Tie a rope between two Kiawe and you have a support for your beach tent for a day's picnic or a weekend family camping trip.  But bring a rake as Kiawe has sharp thorns and the area should be cleaned before serious barefoot play begins.

                I've been collecting photos of Kiawe for several years and as I dig them out, they'll be added to this photo collection.

FALLEN TREE        The roots tend to explore widely but in storm-soaked soil or in beach sand, roots are not especially effective in anchoring the tree and trees will blow over. But they seem to take it in stride and branches become upward growing trunks.  This is similar to the Japanese ikadabuki (or raft) style in which a nurseryman laid down upright growing trees flat and side-by-side like a raft. Branches on top grew upwards to form a forest.  (Photo taken on the Waimea-Kawaihae Road nearer to Waimea)

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