‘Language of Flowers, Hawaiian Style’ at KCC Tuesday

Molly “Ka‘imi” Summers

The National Tropical Botanical Garden is holding a special presentation on Hawaiian plants at the Kaua‘i Community College campus in Puhi Tuesday evening.

Molly “Ka‘imi” Summers will be the featured speaker at “Language of Flowers, Hawaiian Style,” a free presentation open to the public in the KCC cafeteria, as part of the NTBG-KCC Lecture Series “What in the World” Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.

A member of the KCC faculty, Summers was born and raised in Hawai‘i. She will share her understanding and knowledge of iconic island plants from a Hawaiian viewpoint as documented in literature and based upon her own lifetime of experiences.

The talk will include discussions on Hawaiian plants such as palapalai, ‘ohelo, and pūkiawe, original meanings and significance of their names, and their role in culture, with examples from legends and ʻŌlelo Noʻeau (wise sayings). She will also share her observations, personal connections, and stories about plants, kinolau (body forms of gods), and describe island-specific lei.

The “What in the World” lecture series is one of many collaborations between the nonprofit NTBG and KCC. Both share a common goal of quality education to truly change lives. NTBG is headquartered in Kalāheo. KCC, which is part of the University of Hawai‘i system, operates a campus in Puhi.

Call Margaret Clark at 332-7324 ext. 225 or visit www.ntbg.org and kauai.hawaii.edu for more information.