Family: Goodeniaceae
Naupaka kahakai is an indigenous coastal shrub with light green, oval-shaped, and succulent leaves. Silky white hairs are present between the leaf stem and a petiole or branch. Flowers look as if they were cut in half. Blossoms can range in color from white, cream, yellow, greenish, and to purple. After pollination, flowers turn into fleshy marble-sized white fruits.
Habitat & Uses
Long ago, the buoyant seeds of the Scaevola genus floated all over the Pacific: cruising on currents, riding on waves, and finally landing on the shore to grow. Modern day studies showed that Scaevola seeds are most viable after spending an average of 250 days floating in the ocean. This explains why the indigenous species Scaevola taccada has such a wide range across the tropics and subtropics of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. You can find this plant on all Hawaiian beaches even throughout Papahānaumokuākea or the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
Naupaka kahakai is a botanical treasure. The plant can be used as a snorkel mask defogger, treatment for skin wounds and diseases, famine food, green dye, lei plant with its flower and fruit, beach stabilizer, and as an ornamental in landscaping.
Landscaping & Cultivation
Naupaka kahakai is an easy to grow native plant that is both wind and salt tolerant! One of the most popular native plants used in landscaping if you are near the coast. This naupaka’s bright green succulent leaves make for beautiful contrast with their white flowers and fruits. They are resilient and can be planted in every form of landscaping (e.g., beaches, along roads, commercial lots). Naupaka kahakai can be pruned into a hedge, border planting, or windbreak for sea breeze.
Full sun is best as partial sun gives the plant a leggy look. Keep trimmed for robust growth. It is recommended to keep to hand pruning for better appearance. Once established, watering is minimal and fertilizing is not required. Plant naupaka kahakai with other native companion plants like milo, kou, ʻohai (Sesbania tomentosa), and naio (Myoporum sandwicense).
Name Origins
Scaevola in Latin translates to left hand or awkward referring to the flower resembling an open fan or hand. The common name naupaka kahakai means naupaka by the sea. Hawaiians looked to the half flowers of the various naupaka species to tell tragic stories of love lost. In one legend of naupaka: two star-crossed lovers are represented by half flowers. Growing separately never to unite as one whole flower, one banished to the ocean, the other on the mountain. In another, a scorned woman rips a flower in half in a fit of jealousy. Either way, Hawaiians found poetic and relatable ways to explain speciation between naupaka kahakai and naupaka kuahiwi.
Plant Uses:
- Bonsai
- Container plant
- Cultural significance
- Edible
- Erosion control
- Hedge
- Lei flower
- Medicinal
- Ornamental
- Privacy / screening
- Windbreak
- Bonzai
Plant Dangers:
- No dangers
