Naupaka flower

View photographs and a description of the plant Scaevola sericea, commonly known as Beach Naupaka, Naupaka Kahakai, or Half-flower

Ancient people spoke long ago of spirits, gods, goddesses, and more: Hawaiian mythology is a fascinating art, so here are some stories!

Naupaka kahakai (Scaevola taccada) by Jupiter Nielsen, via Flickr

A beautiful Hawaiian legend about the origin of the two forms of naupaka plants - mountain and beach naupaka with unusual half-flower blossoms. Naupaka kuahiwi - mountain naupaka. Naupaka kahakai - naupaka by the sea.

As told by Nona Beamer There is a shiny green plant that grows near the beaches of Hawaiʻi called the naupaka. It has small delicate white half flowers. It was named naupaka for a Hawaiian princess who lived many, many years ago, at a time when the naupaka blossoms were whole. Her people loved Naupaka. […]

The naupaka plant produces tiny, delicate flowers that look like they have been torn in half. According to Hawaiian legend, Naupaka was a princess who fell in love with a commoner named Kaui, but they could never marry. Naupaka vowed to stay in the mountains while Kaui remained along the ocean. Before parting, Naupaka took the flower from her hair and tore it in half, giving it to Kaui. The nearby plants were so saddened by the lovers that forever after they bloomed only half flowers…

Naupaka is a legendary flowering shrub in Hawai'i. One variety grows near the ocean, Naupaka Kahakai , the other in the mountains, Naupaka Kauhiwi

There are so many iconic flowers in Hawai`i's natural landscape. One flower so common, but has an amazing story behind it. That plant is called the naupaka (now-pah-kah) and it’s found throughout Hawai`i beaches and in the mountainous areas in the islands. According to legend, a handsome young man and a beautiful...