ʻŌhai (kumulāʻau Molokaʻi)
Sesbania tomentosa
The many forms of ohai are all stunning in their own way. Most have evolved to have extremely soft, silvery-pubescent (soft with short hairs), pinnate leaves that help reflect sunlight and retain moisture in its harsh environment. This form, however, has darker green leaves that appear to be more waxy, with a little golden tomentose (the small hair-like covering from which the plant derives its species name).
The plant grows close to the ground, in a form similar to that of the Moomomi form from Molokai. The stem-tip leaves are highly aromatic when in full sun, and if enough are planted, you can smell them from quite a distance. Striking pea flowers form as clusters under the leaves, with each flower 1 to 2 inches long. The flower’s yellow color is what sets it apart from other ohai, which range from red to pink and orange. But remember, it’s the leaf clusters at the stem tips that smell good, not the flowers.
He lāʻau ka ʻōhai, ʻumi a ʻumikūmāwalu kapuaʻi ke kiʻekiʻe. Kohu nā lau i nā lau mamane. Uhi ʻia nā muʻo i nā heu hinahina no ka pale ʻana i nā kukuna o ka lā. He pua nō hoʻi e kohu i ka pua mamane; he pua ʻulaʻula, melemele, a ʻālani kekahi. He wahī ʻanoʻano e mālama ana i nā ʻanoʻano ʻula liʻiliʻi.
ʻO kēia ʻano naʻe o ka ʻōhai, he lau uliuli, a uhi ʻia nā muʻo i nā heu melemele. Ulu haʻahaʻa kēia ʻano ʻōhai. Onaona loa nā lau, he keu hoʻi i kahi e pā nui ai ka lā. Inā nui nā ʻōhai e ulu ana, he ʻala kūpaoa nō ia. He pua melemele ko kēia ʻano ʻōhai.
All forms of this species are considered endangered, primarily because their natural habitat has been destroyed either by development, grazing mammals, lack of pollinators or destruction from off-road vehicles.
ʻAne nalowale nā ʻano ʻōhai a pau ma muli o ka ʻai ʻia e nā kao, ka nele ʻana o nā manu e mūkīkī i ka wai, a i ke kalaiwa ʻana a nā kānaka.
The beautiful flowers are used in leis and can be strung in the Maunaloa style.
Kui ʻia nā pua ʻōhai i lei.
These small trees look great in landscapes and can be planted either as a specimen or in rows. Being such a small tree, its flowers are usually at eye level, which make viewing easy. Plant the tree in full sun and in soil that easily dries out; it is very sensitive to overwatering, which causes the leaves to turn yellow, wilt and fall off. Also, look out for shiny black stink bugs that might be on the plant — they look like black-and-gold ladybugs, but trust me they are not — no lady would ever dish out a smell like that. They don’t really harm the plant, but you can get rid of them by shooting the plant with water or by spraying it with a mild pesticide.
Nani ke kanu lālani ʻana i ka ʻōhai. ʻOiai he lāʻau haʻahaʻa ia, ʻike leʻa ʻia nā pua. E kanu i kahi e pā nui ai ka lā, a i ka lepo maloʻo. Nāwaliwali loa ka ʻōhai ke nui ka wai. Inā nui ka wai, mae koke nā lau. E makaʻala i nā mū ʻeleʻele kohu ponumomi, he mū pilopilo ia. ʻAʻole paha i pilikia nui ka ʻōhai i kēia ʻano mū, akā hiki ke hoʻokuke i ke kī ʻana i ka wai.