Discover the Yellow Hibiscus: The Official State Flower of Hawaii

From the sun-kissed coastlines to the smoldering crater of Kīlauea, Hawaii is home to a plethora of unique and gorgeous pua or ‘flowers.’ These blooms are deeply embedded in traditional Hawaiian culture, from symbolizing gods and goddesses to being used for medicinal purposes by early Hawaiians. When vibrant pua are strung together, they form stunning lei or ‘garlands’ that have come to represent Hawaii and the aloha spirit. So let’s take a closer look and discover Hawaii’s state flower!

What is the Official State Flower of Hawaii?

The official Hawaiian state flower is the yellow hibiscus (Hibiscus brackenridgei). In Hawaii, it is also called pua aloalo or maʻo hau hele. The literal translation of the latter is “traveling green hibiscus,” which may be due to the peculiarity of its petals turning green as they dry out. In the early 1920s, decades before Hawaii became a U.S. state, Hawaiians adopted the hibiscus as their official territorial flower. However, the Legislature did not specify what type of hibiscus, so people were unsure which one to use. At first, the native red (Hibiscus kokio) or the Chinese red hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) became popular choices. Eventually, nearly 70 years later, in 1988, the yellow hibiscus, specifically the Hibiscus brackenridgei, was chosen as Hawaii’s official state flower.

What Does the Yellow Hibiscus Look Like?

The yellow hibiscus is a tall shrub that can reach up to 33 feet in height. Its flowers are generally 5 to 6 inches in diameter, with a reddish or maroon center and a yellow stamen protruding from the middle. These flowers usually grow alone, although it is not unusual to find them in clusters at the ends of the plant’s branches. At the base of the plant are sharp spines that can cause pain if touched.

Two subspecies of yellow hibiscus exist:

• Hibiscus brackenridgei subsp. brackenridgei. This type of hibiscus is found in dry forests and low shrublands, either as a sprawling shrub or an upright tree. It can be found at elevations between 400 and 2,600 feet above sea level.
• Hibiscus brackenridgei subsp. mokuleianus. This subspecies of hibiscus is named from Mokulēʻia, a place in the northern Waiʻanae Mountains on Oʻahu where it can be found. It grows as a shrub or a strong tree around 16 feet tall. 

Where Can You See Yellow Hibiscus Flowers?

Yellow hibiscus flowers are only found in Hawaii and grow on all the main islands except for Kahoʻolawe and Niʻihau.

Unfortunately, this flower is an endangered species, and very few of them are left in the wild, although you may see them in gardens across the islands. Goats, cattle, and pigs are a significant threat to the yellow hibiscus plants in Hawaii. Invasive species and urban development have also taken over the plant’s home. In addition, natural events like fires are major dangers to yellow hibiscus plants and have decreased their numbers tremendously over the years.

As an endangered plant, the yellow hibiscus is safeguarded in Hawaiian homelands thanks to both the state’s Chapter 195D and the federal Endangered Species Act of 1973. This means that you cannot pick yellow hibiscus flowers. In addition, anyone who takes these plants is subject to civil and criminal penalties from both the state and federal governments.

However, you can still view and enjoy the beauty of these cheery yellow blossoms! So keep your eyes peeled while exploring the Hawaiian islands. You may be lucky enough to find the vibrant yellow hibiscus flower growing in gardens or along roadsides, especially on the sunny west side of the island. The yellow hibiscus flower is most visible during spring and early summer, but you can still spot its blooms throughout the year.

Uses of Yellow Hibiscus Flowers

Hibiscus blossoms are very fleeting. That is why they are said to be a symbol of the human soul. In the morning, they open up in yellow, transition to orange in the afternoon, and turn into a dark pinkish orange by sunset. Each day brings new blossoms replacing those of the previous day. Ancient Hawaiians used hibiscus flowers to make beautiful and colorful leis. However, due to their delicate petals, these leis would last only a day before wilting.

Not only are hibiscus blooms beautiful to look at, but they can also be beneficial to your health. Hibiscus flowers are edible, and historically, they were used for medicinal purposes. Hibiscus buds and leaves were a gentle, mild laxative that could even be administered to children. People would also mash hibiscuses into juice and mix it with other plants believing it could purify the blood. In addition, eating the seeds of this flower was thought to make a weak child grow strong.

Today, we know that hibiscus flowers are also rich in Vitamin C and are reported to help lower blood pressure. Many people enjoy candying them for a unique treat or drying them to make sweet and colorful herbal tea. Combined with various healthy ingredients like fruits, berries, turmeric, ginger, rosehips, chamomile, lavender, or prickly pear cactus, hibiscus herbal tea can also help reduce oxidative damage to the body from chemicals and pollution.

Other Official Flowers of Hawaii

In addition to the official flower of Hawaii, the state has also designated an individual flower for each of its eight islands. 

Hawaiʻi: ʻŌhiʻa Lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha)

“The Big Island” of Hawaiʻi is the youngest of all the Hawaiian islands, as proven by its fiery volcanic eruptions. According to legend, Pele, the goddess of fire and volcanoes, lives on this island. The vibrant red ‘ōhi`a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha) flower is an iconic representation of this island. Numerous Hawaiian moʻolelo, ‘stories,’ include references to the majestic ʻōhia tree, whose vibrant red flowers grace the landscape. This flower is known for its resistance and adaptability in even the harshest conditions. It even lives on the lava rock within Kīlauea’s lava-filled crater!

Oʻahu: ʻIlima (Sida fallax)

The Hawaiian island of Oʻahu is often referred to as the “Gathering Island” due to its large population of residents, businesses, tourists, and activities. Its official flower is the ʻilima (Sida fallax). This herbaceous plant in the hibiscus family has been traditionally used for medicinal purposes and lei-making. Creating a single lei can take up to 1,000 of these paper-thin flowers!

Maui: Lokelani (Rosa damascena)

The petals of the delicate Lokelani rose (Rosa damascena) are very fragile. It’s very rare since it’s the only flower on this list that is not native to Hawaiʻi like its counterparts. People brought the lokelani rose to the Islands in the 1800s. Gardeners love it because it looks beautiful and smells lovely.

Kauaʻi: Mokihana Berry (Pelea anisata)

The “Garden Island” of Kauaʻi is alive with vibrancy and color. This island’s official flower is not a flower but a berry. The mokihana tree (Pelea anisata) is native specifically to Kauaʻi and its wet forests. The plant’s branches are often used for decorative purposes. When you crush the leaves from this tree, they release a strong anise-scented aroma. Many people also string together the bright green berries to create beautiful leis.

Lānaʻi: Kaunaʻoa (Cuscuta sandwichiana)

The vibrant golden-orange color of the kaunaʻoa (Cuscuta sandwichiana) is a Hawaiian dodder parasite that grows along beaches and coastlines. It is thin and leafless, with fragile stems dotted with tiny flowers that grow in clusters along its stems. Despite its delicate beauty, this parasitic vine uses other plants as hosts to draw on their nutrients. In ancient Hawaii, this plant was used for medicinal purposes. Combined with other plants, it helped to clear the gastrointestinal tract, treat colds, and aid women during pregnancy and childbirth.

Molokaʻi: Pua Kukui Nut (Aleurites moluccanus)

On the island of Molokaʻi, there is nothing but nature, evoking the sense of traditional Hawaii. The flower from the kukui tree, also known as the candlenut tree (Aleurites moluccanus), is the island’s official flower. These ivory-colored blooms have an exquisite scent and a beautiful quality. The kukui tree is also Hawaii’s official state tree, and it has a fascinating history. Ancient Hawaiians brought it from Polynesia to use as a canoe crop. Kukui nuts were even used as a light source. The oil inside is highly flammable, so the kernels could be strung together and lit one by one. Kukui nuts are still strung together today to create traditional Hawaiian leis.

Kahoʻolawe: Hinahina Kū Kahakai (Heliotropium anomalum)

The smallest of the eight main Hawaiian Islands, Kahoʻolawe, is uninhabited. One of its defining characteristics is the silvery hinahina kū kahakai (Heliotropium anomalum) that blankets its beaches and rocky coastal areas with silver-green leaves. These plants produce small, white, and fragrant flowers, and it’s thought that their leaves were used to brew medicinal teas.

Niʻihau: Pūpū Shell 

The island of Niʻihau is rather unique because its official flower isn’t a flower at all! In fact, Niʻihau’s official “flower” is the island’s special white pūpū shells. These shells are like sparkling diamonds and create beautiful, luxurious leis. Necklaces made from these unique shells hold great value and can take years to complete — some can even sell for hundreds and thousands of dollars! Queen Kapiʻolani herself was adorned with several strands of Niʻihau shells, a symbolic gesture at the request of Her Majesty Queen Victoria in celebration of the Golden Jubilee for dignitaries from the United Kingdom.

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