Kukui

Kukui

Watercolor, Pen and Ink on Arches 140lb. Hot Press

Matted in a 5x7'' Ivory Matt

$45

Aleurites moluccana

The Kukui, or Candlenut Tree, is the state tree of Hawaii.  The Kukui was and is an important resource.  It fruits year-round and produces up to 100 pounds of Kukui nuts each year.  The Kukui nuts, which are 80% oil, were used as a lighting fuel source.  The nuts can also be polished and used ornamentally and in lei making.  Today, Kukui oil still has several uses: to polish and preserve wood, as a lubricant, and for skin care products.  The nut is also an effective laxative.  Dyes can also be made from the leaves, fruits, roots, and bark of the tree.  Additionally, the soot from burnt Kukui nuts produces dark black ink that was used in tattooing.