4 VAUGHAN MacCAUGHEY 



very large. The Hai is not as hardy as some of the other varieties, and if neg- 

 lected it often fails to produce vigorous suckers, and eventually dies out. This 

 variety is known especially in Kona, Hawaii. 



Hapai. A very curious native variety; probably the same or closely related 

 to the "Lubang" or "Eel plantain" of Java. The bunch is very small and is 

 ripened within the stem of the parent plant ; that is, the bud does nol emerge from 

 within th ; stem. T'his variety is also called Huaiwaena, which refers to this 

 curious development. 



Hiiiu Pu-a'a. A variety belonging to the Maoli group. The stem is black, 

 and in a number of characters this variety closely resembles the Ele-ele. It is 

 found in the upper valleys and ravines, and on steep slopes. 



Hua-moa. Literally "hen's egg," referring to the size and shape of the fruit. 

 This variety belongs to the P^-po-ulu group. The plant is of medium height, 

 and rather stocky; the leaves are very numerous, and droop from long, slender 

 petioles. These features give the crown a characteristic appearance. The 

 bunch-stem is very slender. The fruits are markedly egg-shaped, and few in 

 number, often there are only two or three fruits on the bunch. The fruit has 

 a tendencj' to crack open before thoroughly ripening, hence it must be gathered 

 early. The flavor is very fine, and the flesh is rich and creamy. It is a highly 

 prized variety, but is uncommon. 



Hud nui. This variety is remarkable in that it usualh^ produces two, three, 

 or four bunches of fruit from the same stem or trunk. These bunches are pro- 

 duced consecutively, over a long period of time, twelve to eighteen months. The 

 bunches are small, and the fruit of medium quality. The variety is also called 

 Hua alua ("two fruits"), and Mahoe ("twins"), referring to the unusual number 

 of bunches. 



Iho-lena. One of the best known of the native bananas. The plant is of me- 

 dium stature, averaging about 10 feet to the tops of the leaves. Trees 12 and 14 

 feet high are not uncommon in favorable localities. The petioles are rather stout, 

 and are light green in color with reddish markings along the margins. The under- 

 surfaces of the new leaves are slightly bronze or purplish. The fruit bunch is 

 rather small ; the fruits are loosely arranged, and stand out at right angles from 

 the axis. This gives the bunch a characteristic appearance. The fruit is con- 

 spicuously angular in cross-section. Tlie skin of the immature fruits is a deli- 

 cate light green, turning lemon yellow before ripening. The flesh is pale pink. 

 When thoroughly ripe, and beginning to turn black, it is regarded by the Hawai- 

 ians as one of the best varieties for eating raw; it is also excellent for cooking. 

 The Iho-lena is widely distributed over the islands, and is known by a number of 

 names: Loha, Iho-u, Hili-hila. The Iholena group of bananas includes the Lele, 

 the Ha-a, and the Pua-pua-nui. 



Ka-io. This variety belongs to the Po-po-ulu group; it is very similar to the 

 Po-po-ulu, but is somewhat taller, and the fruit is inferior in flavor. This variety 

 occurs wild in the mountains, in ravines and hanging valleys, and near the sum- 

 mit ridges. 



Kana-lua. A variety belonging to the Alaoli group; it has the shortest stem of 

 the group, averaging about 14 feet. It is also distinguished by its dark green foli- 

 age, which resembles in shade the foliage of Musa cavendishii. Although the 

 bunch is rather small, the fruit is of good quality and flavor, and resembles the 

 Poni. Kana-lua is best known on Maui and Hawaii. 



