Selecting The Tree
In 1973 I was able to ask Canoe Builder James Kaho’oilihala how the selection of a tree was conducted in the forest. Tutu man, as we called him, was 70 years old at the time and had built fishing and racing canoes in the Hilo district through the 1940’s up until 1973. He learned the art from his grandfather and father. Here is what he said.
Every mark or twist in the trunk of the tree tells a story of the life of the tree. If the canopy of the tree is healthy and balanced, the chances of the trunk being solid is better. If the bark is smooth and even without cracks the trunk is more likely not to have flaws. If there is no big croch high up where the larger branches join there is likely no rot in the heart wood of the tree. When looking at the croch in the branches look for ferns or other plants growing in the croch. If there are ferns growing in the croch the chances of rot in the middle of the trunk is high.
With a hammer hit the base of the tree. If there is a hollow sound the the tree is rotten on the inside. If the sound is solid, the tree is solid. If there is a "Kohe" (fold in the bark look at it closely to see how deep it goes. If it is deep the inside of the tree is rotten. Look for round knots in the side of the tree. This is where a branch has broken off and the tree, as it grew, covered up the hole. If the knot is large the chances of rot inside the tree is going to be higher.
Look at how the tree leans. This well tell you where the tree will fall when it is cut down. The biggest Branch in the canopy is called the "Lala". This branch often will also determine which way the tree will fall. Often the "Lala" will have a croch where it attaches to the trunk. Check for ferns or other plants growing in this croch.
Most importantly check to see where the tree will land when it is cut down. If it will fall into a gully or other rough place pulling the log out will be very hard or impossible. If you can't pull the tree out of the forest, don't cut it down.
'Elepaio
The ‘elepaio (Chasiempis sandwichensis) is a small monarch flycatcher native to Hawaiʻi, and in traditional Hawaiian culture it holds a special and sacred role in canoe construction.
When a canoe builder identified a koa tree for a canoe, they would observe whether an ‘elepaio perched on it.
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If the bird pecked at or fluttered around the tree, it was seen as a warning:
The tree might be rotten or infested with insects inside.
Building a canoe from it would lead to trouble — the hull might weaken, crack, or fail at sea.
The kahuna kālai waʻa would leave that tree and look for another. -
If the ‘elepaio ignored the tree or perched nearby without pecking, it was a good omen:
The tree was sound, strong, and good for making a canoe.
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‘Elepaio represents wisdom, discernment, and guardianship.
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Its guidance protected both the canoe builders and the canoe voyagers.
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It reflects how Hawaiian culture intertwined spiritual belief with practical environmental knowledge.