This 3"x6" Kamani Wood Calabash Bowl is perfect for a table decoration, a favor, or everyday use. Kamani wood bowls are very practical, great for presenting fruits, vegetables, and snacks. These Kamani Wood Calabash Bowls make nice Hawaiian gifts. Note on Hawaiian wood products. With the scarcity of various Hawaiian wood in Hawaii, many wood that are also available in other island areas of the Pacific are imported to Hawaii, but crafted into Hawaiian theme and traditional Hawaiian wood products. KAMANI WOOD: A member of the mangosteen family with the scientific name of Calophyllum inophyllum, kamani was brought north to Hawai`i from the South Pacific islands in early migrations of Polynesian settlers. Also called Alexandrian laurel, true kamani was probably introduced by seed, which is how it is propagated. This native of the Pacific and of tropical Africa, grows slowly along sandy shores and in lowland forests. It was cultivated in villages, near houses and also in groves away from villages. When found growing in windy areas it is sometimes in a picturesque, crooked or misshapen form. True kamani is a large attractive spreading tree up to 60 feet high, with a rounded head of dense foliage and rough grey bark. A reddish-brown hardwood is derived from the trunk. From this was carved many objects including canoes; homes; `umeke la`au, wooden containers or calabash, specifically `umeke kamani, food bowls and trays called pa kamani. As with milo and kou wood, there is no bad-tasting taste or odor in kamani wood, so it is perfect for containing food. |