Peles Flower

by James Temple

Title

Peles Flower

Artist

James Temple

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

In Hawaii there is a common tree in the forest called the 'ohi'a tree, that is important in Hawaiian culture. It bears beautiful flowers called Lehua blossoms. Occasionally these blossoms are yellow or orange, but the most common color is red.

There is a legend associated with the 'ohi'a tree and it's blossoms that goes like this:

One day Pele, the goddess of the volcano, met a handsome young man named 'ohi'a. She desired to have him as her sweetheart. He confessed that he already was in love with another young girl, Lehua. This enraged Pele and she used her magical powers to transform the young man into the ugly 'ohi'a tree. Lehua was terribly sad and pleaded with Pele to return the young man back to his human form. Pele refused so Lehua begged the gods to help her to be reunited with 'ohi'a. Instead of changing 'ohi'a back to a human, the gods transformed Lehua into a lovely red blossom to adorn the 'ohi'a tree. Now when anyone picks a Lehua blossom, it will rain because the lovers have been separated.

I took this photograph in 2007 on the Hawaiian island of Moloka'i where I live. Unfortunately since then, a virulent disease is wiping out tens of thousands of acres of mature 'ohi'a trees on the island of Hawaii. The disease, known as rapid 'ohi'a death, is caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fimbriata. Ceratocystis is known as a tree-killer around the world, and different species of the fungus have affected oaks, coffee, cacao, and several other species. But the strain currently attacking the 'ohi'a tree is considerably more aggressive than those that have previously invaded Hawai'i.

The current infestation has so far affected 34,000 acres on Hawai'i Island, also known as the Big Island, and has killed over 100,000 'ohi'a trees. Scientists suspect many more trees are infected but haven't yet died.

The 'ohi'a tree, also called the 'ohi'a lehua tree, has deep roots in Hawai'i's history and culture, and plays a key role in its ecosystems. The tree and its lehua flower are precious to the Hawaiian people. Many consider it to be the most important tree in the state.

Uploaded

April 14th, 2007

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