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Scientific Name
Scaevola taccada
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Asterales
Family
Goodeniaceae
Genus
Scaevola
Status in Hawaii
Native
Native Region
Indo-Pacific
Cultural Significance
Naupaka kahakai (Scaevola taccada) is a widely distributed coastal plant across the tropical and subtropical Pacific and Indian Oceans, a range made possible by its buoyant seeds that can remain viable after floating in the ocean for an average of about 250 days. This remarkable dispersal explains its presence along shorelines throughout Hawaiʻi, including Papahānaumokuākea and the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. The genus name Scaevola, meaning “left hand” in Latin, refers to the plant’s distinctive half-flower shape, while the Hawaiian name naupaka kahakai translates to “naupaka by the sea.” Hawaiians have long used the plant’s half-flowers to convey poignant legends of love, loss, and separation, particularly stories explaining the relationship between coastal naupaka kahakai and mountain naupaka kuahiwi, symbolizing lovers forever divided. Beyond its cultural symbolism, naupaka kahakai holds significant practical value, traditionally used as a snorkel mask defogger, treatment for skin wounds and diseases, famine food, green dye source, lei plant using both flowers and fruits, a natural beach stabilizer, and an ornamental species in coastal landscaping.
Sources
Scaevola taccada. (n.d.). Plant Pono. https://plantpono.org/pono-plants/scaevola-taccada/
Collector's Personal Number
BYUH_25_16
Collection Date
Fall 10-4-2025
Recommended Citation
Gamba, Clariza Mae Anoc, "Naupaka Kahakai" (2025). Herbarium Collection. 10.
https://digitalcollections.byuh.edu/herbarium/10