Sabine Hendreschke

Rising from Lava, The Sacred Hawaiian Ohia Tree

The indigenous Hawaiian Ohia Tree is the first form of life to grow directly out of the hardened black lava. Its beautiful red flowers are called Lehua, which means "Flower sacred to the Gods" in the Hawaiian language. The red Lehua flower is the official flower of the Big Island of Hawaii. 

The indigenous Hawaiian Ohia Tree is the first form of life to grow directly out of the hardened black lava. Its beautiful red flowers are called Lehua, which means "Flower sacred to the Gods" in the Hawaiian language. The red Lehua flower is the official flower of the Big Island of Hawaii. The Ohia Tree is vital to Hawaii's natural ecosystem. It provides an essential food source for native birds and bugs. 

The Lehua is also known as Pele’s Flower.  In Hawaiian mythology, Ohia and Lehua were two lovers. The volcano goddess Pele desired Ohia. When he rejected her Pele got angry turned him into a tree. Lehua was devastated by losing her lover. Out of pity, the gods turned her into a flower which they placed on Ohia's tree. Hawaiians believe that it rains when a Lehua flower is picked from the Ohia tree, signifying the tears of these eternal lovers.

The Ohia Lehua Tree has been sacred to the Hawaiian people since ancient times and is often mentioned in legends, hula, songs, and chants.

Native Hawaiians used to make a medicinal potion out of the Ohia Tree’s bark and leaves. It was meant to spark a strong, passionate, inward fire to grow, bloom, and rejoice in life. Sometimes the Ohia Lehua Tree grants visions of the future, offering inspirations to manifest personal transformation. It signals the completion of one cycle and illuminates a new beginning.

The Ohia Lehua Tree is a powerful symbol of all that is Hawaii.

 The Hawaiian Ohia Tree inspired the creation of Ohialani, the little Menehune Hula dancer. Here is part of Ohialani’s story:

Ohialani is named after the indigenous Hawaiian Ohia Tree which is the first form of life to grow directly out of the hardened black lava. . Its beautiful red flowers are called Lehua, which means "Flower sacred to the Gods" in the Hawaiian language.  

Ohialani is dancing the sacred, ancient Hawaiian Hula to honor Pele, the Hawaiian Goddess of Fire.

Watch her closely! Ohialani dances for you too, inviting you to enter her sacred space so that your beauty can unfold like the Lehua Blossoms of the Ohia Tree….

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Article Tags: Hawaiian Ohia Tree, Hawaiian Ohia, Ohia Tree

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