Family: Arecaceae

The Maui Pritchardia is a single-stemmed palm with a dense crown of fan leaves. Mature leaves will be covered in golden to pale yellow hairs, while the undersides of younger leaves will be silvery gray. Flowers are showy and yellow.

While slow-growing, the golden loulu will reach 30 feet at full maturity. Endemic to East Maui, this palm requires well-drained, organic soil and moist conditions. It thrives in full sun or partial sun and has good wind tolerance. 

Fossil evidence indicates loulu were once a common sight in Hawaiʻi, but the introduction of seed-eating rats, goats, and urban development has decimated the natural populations. The Hawaiian name loulu translates to umbrella, which speaks to how their fronds were used as protection from the sun and rain, especially for homes as thatching. 

To germinate: half bury seeds in the soil, water every day, and sprouting should occur in a few months. 

Plant Uses:

• Cultural significance
• Ornamental
• Specimen

Plant Dangers:

• No dangers