On this year's trip we continued to work on removing the invasive strawberry guava (Psidium cattleianum) in the cultural restoration site.
After lunch, we transplanted some Palapalai (Microlepia strigosa var. strigosa) that is an important plant in hula and in la'au lapa'au. It is used to treat hehena [insanity] illness.
We collected seed from Papala kepau (Pisonia brunoniana). Papala kepau seeds are sticky and were used to catch birds for their feathers. The plant also has other uses including medicinal uses. The milky sap can be used for cuts, the cooked leaves for pāʻaoʻao (childhood disease with physical weakening) and for lepo paʻa (constipation).
Sources:
http://nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Pisonia_brunoniana
http://nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Microlepia_strigosa_strigosa
http://www.worldhula.com/plants.aspx
http://data.bishopmuseum.org/ethnobotanydb/ethnobotany.php?b=d&ID=palapalai
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