Wehewehe Wikiwiki Hawaiian language dictionaries

1. n., The lace fern (Sphenomeris chinensis syn. chusana), a common wild fern in Hawaiʻi; also known in other parts of Polynesia and in Asia. Long, slender stems support smooth, ovate, pointed fronds, about 30 cm long, which are subdivided three times. Formerly a brown dye was extracted from the fronds.

• Related:
  • Also: palapalaʻā and pāʻū o Palaʻe.
• References:
  • Neal 15, 16.

2. n., A tapa of māmaki bark dyed brownish-red with palaʻā fern, of silky quality.

3. vs., Brownish-red.

4. n., Type of stone, used for sinkers for octopus fishing.

Kapa of māmaki bark dyed brownish-red with palaʻā fern. (PE.)