The Legend of ‘Ōhi‘a and Lehua
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In Hawaiian mythology, ‘Ōhi‘a was a strong, handsome warrior and Lehua was his gentle, beautiful beloved. Their love was legendary, but it was soon tested by Pele, the volatile goddess of fire and volcanoes.
One day, Pele encountered ‘Ōhi‘a and, struck by his handsomeness, demanded his affection. True to his heart, ‘Ōhi‘a politely refused, explaining his devotion to Lehua. Infuriated by the rejection, Pele’s temper flared into a jealous rage. She transformed ‘Ōhi‘a into a gnarled, twisted tree.
Heartbroken, Lehua pleaded with the gods to reunite them. Moved by her grief, the gods reached down and transformed Lehua into a vibrant red blossom, placing her forever upon the branches of the ‘Ōhi‘a tree.
To this day, they remain inseparable. It is said that if you pluck a Lehua blossom from the tree, the sky will fill with rain, symbolizing the tears of the lovers as they are momentarily separated once again.
‘Ōhi‘a Lehua is deeply rooted in Hawai'i through songs and stories. It's more than just a tree with an iconic crimson flower... it is the cultural heartbeat of the ʻāina as a vital nectar source for endemic honeycreepers and bees.
The honey made by bees from the nectar of Lehua is truly unique to Hawai'i. Delicate with floral sweetness, this raw honey is not overpowering and light in color. Famous for its rapid, natural crystallization, it often transforms into a creamy spread with a texture like softened butter.
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