Natural History

Pu'ohe'ohe, Job's Tears
(Coix lacryma-jobi)

Pu'ohe'ohe, Job's tears, is native to the East Indies and Malaysia and now occurs worldwide. It was introduced in China in 49 AD by General Mu Yuen who apparently became so fond of this ancient Far Eastern peasant food that he carried home cartloads of it after his triumphant return from Tongking. The plant appears to have been an ancient introduction to western Polynesia (to Tonga, 'Uvea and Samoa at least) and is considered one of the Polynesian canoe plants - plants that were carried with them on their canoes when they traveled throughout the Pacific.

Depending on where you happen to be in the world, this plant goes by various names including "David's tears," "Saint Mary's tears," "Christ's tears" (Lacryma Christi), and just plain "tear drops." The scientific name lacryma-jobi means "Job's Tears."

Pu'ohe'ohe is a fairly modern introduction to Hawaii. Probably introduced before 1871, it was certainly well-established by about 1895, when it was first collected on Oahu. It is usually found in wet, disturbed areas and is common along streams, ditches and seeps as well as in mesic forests. It seems to be found only in the lowlands. In the Hawaiian islands it is found on Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and the Big Island.

Job's tears is a robust annual grass with erect, stout stems, from one to six feet tall, filled with pith and strongly branched at the base. Its wide, flat, narrowly lanceolate leaves can be about four to 16 inches long. They ascend up the stalk and have loose leaf-sheaths. They are marked with fine, parallel lines and are finely hairy along the top edge. They have a strong midrib.

The grass produces beadlike structures that were famously fashioned into the Roman Catholic rosaries that were a favorite of Mother Theresa. Inflourences of several branches rise from the leaf axils. These inflourescences each bear one perfectly formed "bead" and up to twenty pollen-bearing male, unisexual spikelets encased in white, papery "flowers" which are from one to four inches long. Each "bead" is a very hard, hollow structure (called an involucre or copule) that contains a minute fertile female flower and two sterile flowers. The papery flowers that encase the male spikelets are produced on a slender stalk that extends out of the bead through a tiny pore. They are borne in twos and threes at the apex of each of the "beads" that enclose the female spikelets. Two feathery stigmas from the fertile female flower also protrude from the pore--ready to receive pollen from the male flowers.

Like other members of the enormous Grass Family (Poaceae), Job's tears are pollinated by the wind. Following pollination, a seed-bearing grain is produced by the fertile female flower.

Each bead is hard and shining. On the plant they can be green, black, white or pink and are ovoid, tear-drop shaped achenes that are about one-half inch or so in length. The dried achenes are gray. Flowering and fruiting occur throughout the year.

The grass has only been of minor use among the native peoples of Polynesia. The bead-like achenes are used to make seed lei. (The seeds have natural openings through their centers and did not require a needle to pierce through the hard shell.) They are strung into many different patterns, some very simple and others quite ornate. Sometimes the seeds are used together or combined with other seeds. The stems of the plants can be used to make matting.

Pu'ohe'ohe was commonly used in Polynesia for urinary tract infections, poor digestion, joint pain and for cancer. It was used to treat diabetes in Hawaii as well. The Chinese apparently also have many medicinal uses for the plant.

There are many varieties of Job's tears that have been developed as food crops. Some have soft shells that are easily threshed for their sweet kernels. Many Asian markets sell Job's tears in their grain sections for cooking. The grain is supposed to have a higher protein content than others.

The kernels may be ground into meal for use in breads and cakes or as a barley substitute. They are used as a coffee substitute in Japan and at least one variety is made into a tea. Several intoxicating drinks have been made from the grains in various Asian countries. Pu'ohe'ohe has also been used as food for convalescents in Samoa.
 

 [ Top ]

Arts & Culture

Lahaina Sea Wall

The oldest and most picturesque part of Lahaina town is the few blocks along Front Street, open to the sea, with a view out over the ocean to Lanai.The Lahaina seawall parallels Front Street between Lahainaluna Road and Dickenson Street for a length of 730 feet.

The first work on the wall was initiated in 1927. In April, 1927, the Maui News carried the story that the first phase of the Lahaina sea wall would be completed by the end of April. The contractor named Char was awarded the contract that called for building a 500 foot sea wall. His crew of 40 men made "remarkable progress under most favorable conditions."

The article continued, "If the territory has its plans and specifications completed by that time, it is more than likely that Char will continue to work and do the other 230 feet of construction and finish up with paving the reclaimed land by June 1."

Apparently the project was the brainstorm of members of the Lahaina Outdoor Circle who pushed to make the civic project a reality. The concrete rubble masonry retaining wall is topped with pipe railing and backfilled along its entire length to widen Front Street.

During the construction of the wall, the strip along the waterfront experienced congestion. Huge piles of rock and materials are fast going into the wall that "holds back the waters of the Roadstead from what will be a greatly widened street and one of the most attractive thoroughfares on the Valley Isle."

The second major construction on the wall took place ten years later when approximately 730 linear feet of concrete, rail, cap and sidewalk was constructed over the concrete rubble masonry wall.

By the late 1970's the sea wall was deteriorating and becoming a safety hazard. The County of Maui, in coordination with the Maui Historic Commission proposed to replace the concrete rail, cap and sidewalk portions with a new superstructure that would reduce the ocean spray. This proposal also included the addition of trees, benches and drinking fountains to make the stroll along the seawall comfortable for pedestrians.
 

[ Top ]

Braddah-Nics Lexicon

STANDARD: Are you sure there will be enough food?
BRADDAH-NICS: Goin' get 'nuff?

* * * * * * * *

STANDARD: There's plenty for everyone.
BRADDAH-NICS: Get plenny!

* * * * * * * *

STANDARD: I hope the food will be delicious.
BRADDAH-NICS: Main t'ing ono!

 
[ Top ]

Local Grinds

Kalua Pig Quesadillas

Ingredients:

• 12 oz. tub of pre-cooked Kalua Pork
• Sharp Cheddar, Monterey Jack (or any of your favorite cheese blends)
• 1 can of diced Green Chilies
• Dash of Cumin
• Non-cooking spray

Procedure:

1. Heat up pork in a frying pan. Add in cumin, to taste, and diced green chilies - remove seeds prior to dicing for less heat.
2. Prepare the tortillas by placing cheese and then kalua pork mixture on half of each tortilla. Fold the tortilla and place it on a grilling machine that has been lightly sprayed with non-stick cooking spray or lightly oil it.
3. The quesadilla should be done after about 3 minutes.

 [ Top ]

Remember When . . .

Paia Plantation Office

This is a photograph of the main office building for the Maui Agricultural Company in upper Paia. The merger of the Haiku Sugar Company and several other plantations formed that company. This building was constructed in 1911 on Baldwin Avenue across from the Paia sugar mill.

The building looks much the same today as it did at the time of the photograph and is presently used as offices for the East Maui Irrigation Company. The exact date of the photograph is not known but it was most likely taken sometime in the 1920’s.

Photo from the archives of the Maui Historical Society/Bailey House Museum
Historical text by Fred Woodruff, Bailey House Volunteer
 

 [ Top ]