Kumu Koa

Kumu - 1) foundation ,base,trunk or 2)teacher or 3)beginning, source, origin
Koa - 1) brave, fearless or 2) soldier or warrior or 3)endemic forest tree


This giant tree, native only to Hawaii, was used for generations for the great canoes that carried Hawaiians in their sea-going ventures. Today, there are NO Koa trees of the size required to fashion a large canoe, but with continued reforestation, perhaps future generations will know of its true nobility.

Hawaii
Botany