Hau (tree)

Hau in Hawaiian refers to a large shrub or tree (Hibiscus tiliaceus ) of the family Malvaceae that grows in generally wet areas and originally was brought to Hawai'i by the early settlers from elsewhere in Polynesia.

The blossoms of the hau are bright yellow with a dep red centre upon blossoming. Over the course of the day, the flowers deepen to orange and finally red before they fall. The branches of the hau tree curve over time, making a perfect outrigger for seafaring canoes, and the inner bark of the tree is very strong; the native Hawai'ians used it to make rope.

The shrub is so large that it can cover an entire hill, and is often used as the ultimate jungle-gym by children. The joke is that it was named after someone got lost inside and asked, "How on earth did I get in, and how am I ever going to get out?"