Cocos nucifera L. (Arecaceae), commonly called the coconut palm, or niu within moana-nui-ākea (Pasifika/Oceania), flourished around the equator building kinship with humanity by supporting many needs including nourishment, shelter, and life supplies, while enriching all aspects of Island living. The true niu momona (flourishing coconut palm) is embedded within Indigenous cultures telling their stories of who they are within places, and as people – Hawai'i is no exception!

In 1974, Donald P. Watsonʻs Coconut As An Ornamental was published by the University of Hawaiiʻs College of Tropical Agriculture (CTAHR). 

"...In Hawaii, the tree is used primarily for its decorative value and is chiefly thought of as a tall or dwarf palm..."

"...Frequently the dwarf types produce low-quality coconut meat, so they are not good for commercial production of fruits."

"...They are especially desirable for landscaping home gardens, where the buildings are low, the space is limited and the fruit is easily accessible."

Yet in the same publication, the author also writes:

"Revelations 22:2 refers to the coconut as "the tree of life, which bears twelve manner of fruits, and yieldeth her fruit every month." 

"...legend says that the god, Kane, brought the first coconut to Hilo and planted it there to provide food for "earth children.""

"Polynesians believe that the coconut palm has spiritual life. They call this life force "mana" which causes it to grow and produce fruit."

"Polynesians believe that a man, a squid, and a coconut are different but interchangeable forms of the same life force. Therefore, the coconut should be planted with appropriate rites. The fruit is gathered when mature and placed in a cool damp place to sprout. On the day before the full moon, a shallow hole is dug and partially filled with mulch. Then, they go fishing to catch a squid. At midnight, the squid is placed on the mulch and the sprouted coconut on the squid with one hand, while the hole is filled with soil with the other hand. During planting, Polynesians talk to the god Kinolau within the coconut, telling it to grow big strong roots with the spread and grip of the squid, and big nuts fat like the head and body of the squid."

So what is the truth? Is niu an ornamental plant or an essential companion and spiritual aid to Pacific islanders providing mana-ful food, fuel, fiber, and water for earthʻs children? 

Why does this matter?

As long as niu is considered an ornamental plant, it does not qualify for official support from entities like the USDA that could strengthen efforts to care for, cultivate, and propagate this essential ally for food security and climate change mitigation here in the Hawaiian islands.

Coconut palm produces food year-round, every part of it being useful, has cared for human needs for thousands of years, and provided actual visual evidence of the stories found only in legends and myths. The niu is a vital source of our collective and cultural emergence.  Throughout the tropical world stories of the coconut palm as the "first tree” to come, and the “last tree” to stand after many natural disasters, helps us re-establish a working relationship that guides us through these global changes. Will you stand with niu?

What do we need?

Niu Now! 

www.niunow.org