24 BULLETIN 55, HAWAII EXPERIMENT STATION 
DESCRIPTION OF VARIETIES < 
According to a manuscript, written in 1870, by G. P. Kalokuoka- 
maile, of Xapoopoo. Hawaii, fully 70 varieties of bananas were 
known to the old Hawaiians of the Kona district, and large areas 
of the Kona woods were covered with banana plants at one time. 
It is also known that half a century ago wild bananas covered large 
areas in East Hawaii, which are now utilized for grazing. Appar- 
ently many varieties that were formerly grown there have disap- 
peared. Some so-called native varieties, for instance, which are 
mentioned in locally published old lists, can not be found, and a 
number of varieties that were introduced from the West Indies by 
the station in 1904-1905 no longer grow in the islands. 
The varieties described in this bulletin were grown at the central 
station in Honolulu, or in commercial fields in different parts of the 
Territory. In a number of instances the Hawaiian or native varie- 
ties were examined and photographed growing wild in the forest. 
The varieties, including some not found by the writer, have been 
arranged in two divisions, introduced varieties and Hawaiian or 
native varieties. 
The introduced varieties are those brought in since the discovery 
of the islands by Captain Cook in 1778, and include the Chinese or 
Cavendish, Bluefields or Gros Michel, Brazilian, Red. Green Red 
(a bud mutation of the Red variety), Hamakua, Lady Finger, Bora- 
bora or Fei, Ice Cream, Eslesno, Apple, Chamaluco, Father Leonore, 
Largo. Colorado Blanco, Abyssinian, Kusaie, abaca or Manila 
hemp, 8 and common and dwarf plantain varieties. 
The Kusaie variet}^ although of Pacific origin, is of rather recent 
introduction, and has been briefly described by Higgins (13»p. 4G). 
Specimens of the plant were not found by the writer, but interested 
people about Hilo, Hawaii, seem to be familiar with the variety. 
The Hawaiian or native varieties are supposedly of Polynesian 
origin, and fall into three groups, the Maoli, Iholena, and Popoulu, 
with seA^eral additional varieties, the leading characters of which 
apparently are not related to any of the groups. The Maoli group 
includes the Maiamaoli, Hai, Haikea (a subvariety of Hai), Manai- 
ula or Malaiula, Kaualau, Eleele, also known as Poni and Hinupuaa, 
Koae or Aeae, Mahoe or Palua, Puhi, Eka, Iho-u. and Loha varie- 
ties; the Iholena group includes the Iholena or Hilahila. Kapua or 
Puapuanui, Lele, and Haa or Haahaa varieties; and the Popoulu 
group includes the Popoulu, Kaio, Moa or Huamoa, Nou, and Lahi 
varieties. The varieties not falling into any of the three groups 
are the Maia hapae and Maia Oa. 
The Loha, Lahi, Xou. Maia hapai, and Haa varieties were not 
found by the writer, and are briefly described by Higgins (i-5, pp. 
7 Spelling <;f names and grouping of varieties do not agree in all instances with the 
classification used by Higgins (1-1). The changes were made only after careful investiga- 
tion and consultation with a number of well-informed persons on the subject, including 
T. C. White, of Kona : G. P. Wilder and A. J. Campbell, of Honolulu; F. Gay. of Kauai; 
and T. Kelsey, of Hilo. 
8 Abaca plants are found growing among banana plants in many parts of the Territory. 
and ordinarily can not be distinguished from them. The fruit is frequently sent to the 
station with inquiries as to " why these bananas produce seeds." It is mentioned among 
the introduced varieties and is described on page 35 in order that growers may readily 
identify the species, which is of value in cross-pollination work because of its production 
of abundant pollen. 
