When you’re exploring Maui, you may notice a beautiful tree covered with bright red, brush-like flowers. It’s the ʻōhiʻa lehua, one of Hawaiʻi’s most important native trees.
But this tree isn’t just beautiful. It has a fascinating connection to Hawaiian culture and a love story that has been passed down through generations.
The Story of ʻŌhiʻa and Lehua
One well-known Hawaiian moʻolelo tells of a handsome warrior named ʻŌhiʻa who was deeply in love with a woman named Lehua.
Pele, the volcano deity, also wanted ʻŌhiʻa. When he refused her because of his love for Lehua, Pele became angry and transformed ʻŌhiʻa into a tree.
Lehua was heartbroken. In this version of the story, the gods eventually transformed her into the beautiful red flower that grows on the ʻōhiʻa tree.
The two lovers could now remain together forever.
And there is a beautiful detail to the story: it is said that if someone picks a lehua blossom, the separation of ʻŌhiʻa and Lehua brings rain, representing their tears.
The National Park Service notes that there are different versions of ʻōhiʻa moʻolelo, reminding us that Hawaiian stories have been passed down through different traditions and sources.
More Than a Beautiful Flower
The ʻōhiʻa lehua is endemic to Hawaiʻi, meaning it naturally occurs here and nowhere else in the world.
At Kihei Rent A Car, we love helping visitors discover the stories, traditions and natural beauty that make Maui unique.
Take the time to explore beyond the familiar places, and you may find that some of Maui’s most beautiful stories are growing right alongside the road.
