Big Tree: ʻAʻaliʻi
‘A‘ali‘i (Hopbush) – Dodonaea viscosa
Location: Maui Nui Botanical Garden
Island: Maui
Height: 16 feet 7 inches
Circumference: 23 inches
Crown Spread: 16 feet 2 inches
Total Points: 44
Current Ranking: Co-champion (Deceased)
This ‘A‘ali‘i was planted over 30 years ago by Hawaiian ethnobotanist, Rene Sylva, who began the movement to preserve many coastal native plants in Maui. Today, it is one of nearly 120 native and Polynesian-introduced species that are present at the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens located in Kahului, Maui. In early 2015, the ‘a‘ali‘i was unable to recover after its trunk split from the base and caused the tree to fall down. Fortunately, seeds were collected in hopes for regeneration and the wood will be recycled at the garden for cultural and educational purposes.
View another Hawai‘i Big Tree Champion:
`A`ali`i || Niu || Wiliwili || Hau || Kāwaʻu || Koa || Koki’o Ke’oke’o || Lama
Mānele || Ma‘o Hau Hele || Olopua || Pāpalakēpau || Kōlea lau nui || Mamane