Koki‘o ‘Ula

The Hawaiian name koki‘o ‘ula describes two species of endemic red hibiscus flower Hibiscus clayi and H. kokio. The Hawaiian word ‘ula refers to the color red. The flower pictured on the card is the Hibiscus kokio subspecies St. Johnianus. It only grows in the valleys on the northwestern coast of Kaua‘i. The Hibiscus St. Johnianus is highly variable and flowers range in color from dark orange to yellow. The koki‘o kea is the white variety of native hibiscus.

The native koki‘o hibiscuses, both red and white, were grown near the homes of Hawaiians for their large showy flowers. Other uses included wood for charcoal and flowers as medicine.

The koki‘o still makes an excellent garden plant today.  It is drought tolerant, typically grows to about 6 feet (2 m), and has blooms for most of the year.