We learned about ethnobotany and how these plants had an impact on the Hawaiians. The big one is the Taro plant. This plant is considered to be the perfect plant in terms of nutrition. The only thing that it is missing is protein. Culturally, poi (what is traditionally made from the Taro plant) is served with fish completing the dietary needs. Today, the Taro plant does not produce a flower or seeds. For generations, they take a stalk of the Taro plant and re-plant it. This then make a new plant, etc., etc. This is why the Taro plant is revered in Hawaii - it is the same plant that their ancestors an their ancestors have touched. Due to the climate, artificial selection, and mutations, the Hawaiian Taro is specific to the region.
Other Canoe plants were the Bamboo and the Coconut plant. There was a lesson in the Bamboo plant. The bamboo plant is strong, but flexible with keeps it from breaking. You can guess the lesson - be strong, but don't forget to be flexible so you don't break. These two plants have more uses than any other plant in the world.
Pepper - natural antibacterial additive.
Sugarcane - other than sugar, it can be used to make the arrow part of the bow, but it was used to kill rats.
Candle nut - oils used to make...well...candles.
After lunch, we helped the facility by helping in the garden across the street. We broke into groups and weeded, mulched, and created a spiral garden. Really cool idea - the plants at the top do well in the sun and don't need a lot of water. The plants near the bottom, need the shade and more water. Really interesting idea.
I even get my hands dirty.
At lunch, they make a sugarcane drink for us. They have a machine that is like a huge juicer and then they add coconut milk to it. I tried it. Not too bad. Not something that you want a whole glass of, but not bad.
Afterwards, we walk around the rest of the gardens and see all sorts of other native plants.
What I want to do now - have a cultural driven garden - the 6 Flags Garden or Flowers and Plants of the 6 Flags. Something like that. There are so many cultures in Texas it would be difficult to pick out some and not include some, but I still like the idea.
Beautiful beach. As I sat there watching the waves come in (and taking pictures of it of coarse) the ghost crabs cam out. They came out, ran around a bit, and then dug holes. They used their large claws to dig out the sand. They would also run back into their hole when they got scared or when the waves came up close on them. They were mighty cute. There was one that kind of got used to me and staid close to me and I got some good pictures.
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