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1. n., Candlenut tree (Aleurites moluccana 🌐), a large tree in the spurge family bearing nuts containing while, oily kernels which were formerly used for lights; hence the tree is a symbol of enlightenment. The nuts are still cooked for a relish (ʻinamona). The soft wood was used for canoes, and gum from the bark for painting tapa; black dye was obtained from nut coats and from roots, (Nuts were chewed and spat into the sea by men fishing with nets for parrot fish (kākā uhu) in order to calm the sea (FS 38–9): see ex., pili #1). Polished nuts are strung in leis; the silvery leaves and small white flowers are strung in leis as representative of Molokaʻi, as designated in 1923 by the Territorial legislature. The kukui was named the official emblem for the State of Hawaiʻi in 1959 because of its many uses and its symbolic value.

• Examples:
  • He aliʻi no ka malu kukui, a chief of the candlenut shade [chief of uncertain genealogy].
• Related:
  • Kukui is one of the plant forms of Kamapuaʻa that comes to help him (FS 215).
  • Called kuikui on Niʻihau.
• References:
  • Neal 504–7.
  • See lei kukui.

2. n., Lamp, light, torch. Figuratively, guide, leader.

• Examples:
  • Kukui ahi (Dan. 10.6), lamps of fire.
  • E noho ana au ā puhi kukui, I'll stay until the lights are lighted [until dark).
  • Kukui ʻā i ke awakea, torch burning in daylight [a symbol for descendants of a certain chief].
  • Ua pio ke kukui, the light is out [dead].

3. (Cap.) n., Star name (no data).

• References:
  • Kuhelani.

• Related:
  • ʻŌpuʻu kukui. Light bulb.

v., See kui, to publish. To publish; to spread, as a report; to make famous.

2. See pakui. To splice or piece out so as to lengthen, as a stick or rope.

s., The name of a tree and nut; the nut was formerly used to burn for lights; the tree produces also the gum pilali; the body of the tree was sometimes made into canoes; the bark of the root was used in coloring canoes black.

2. A lamp. 1 Sam. 3:3. A candle; a light or torch; a lighter. Kin. 1:15.

1. n., The name of a tree (Aleurites moluccana). The nut was formerly used to burn for lights; the tree produces also the gum pilali; the body of the tree was sometimes made into canoes; the bark of the root mixed with charcoal was used in coloring canoes black.

2. n., Nut of the kukui tree.

3. n., Lamp; torch; contrivance for producing artificial light.

4. n., Fig. One who leads another; a leader; a guide.

[Kui, to publish.]

1. v., To publish; to spread, as a report.

2. v., To make famous.

3. v., [Kui, to add to.] To join one thing to another. Same as pakui.

candlenut tree (Aleurites). Land section. Kaʻū. Hawaiʻi.