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Kī is a plant frequently used in landscaping, and a common sight around Hawaiʻi. Prior to western contact, only green kī could be found on the Hawaiian Islands. Nowadays, you can find all sorts of variations of kī, in a multitude of colors.
This plant has an incredible number of different uses. Their water-resistant leaves could be made into raincoats, hula skirts, shoes, and lei. One of the most common uses for this plant is as a food wrap. Kī was not a primary food source, but the roots could be eaten or turned into alcohol. It tastes very sweet so you’d more likely find it as a dessert instead of dinner.
Kī is used to make a type of liquor called ʻokolehao. The Hawaiian name of this alcohol product translates to “iron butt”, a reference to the shape of the iron pots used to brew it.
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