Kukui

Native Trees

Hawaii

121 cities

Kukui (Aleurites moluccanus), also called candlenut, is Hawaii's state tree and one of the most recognizable trees on the islands due to its pale, silvery-green foliage that stands out against darker vegetation. The leaves are large and lobed, almost maple-like, and the tree produces clusters of small white flowers followed by round, hard-shelled nuts about the size of a golf ball. It spreads wide and low, creating dense shade, and was central to Hawaiian culture for centuries.

Lifespan

50 to 150 years under good conditions, though trees in poor sites or with repeated root damage tend to decline earlier.

Mature Size

40 to 60 feet tall with a canopy spread of 30 to 50 feet. In open settings with no competition, some trees push wider than they are tall.

Care & Maintenance

Kukui is a low-maintenance tree once established and handles Hawaii's varied rainfall zones reasonably well, though it performs best with consistent moisture during its first two to three years. It wants full sun and well-draining soil. Skip heavy fertilizing. This tree is adapted to volcanic soils and doesn't need coaxing.

Common Issues & Threats

Falling nuts are a real hazard: the shells are hard and the ground beneath a mature kukui becomes genuinely dangerous underfoot, especially for kids and elderly visitors. Factor that into where you plant one.
Surface roots: as the tree matures, roots push up and can crack driveways, walkways, and patios within 20 to 30 feet of the trunk. This is the most common complaint from homeowners.
Thrips and scale insects occasionally attack the foliage, showing up as stippled, silvery, or sticky leaves. It rarely kills the tree, but heavy infestations weaken it and make the canopy look rough.

Pruning Guide

Prune kukui in late winter or early spring before new growth pushes. The main goal is clearance, removing branches that hang over roofs, walkways, or structures where falling nuts become a problem. Avoid cutting large limbs if you can help it. Wounds over three inches in diameter heal slowly and invite fungal rot in Hawaii's humid conditions.

Did You Know?

Here's what most people don't know: the raw nuts are toxic. They contain saponins that cause severe gastrointestinal distress if eaten unprepared. Hawaiian cooks historically roasted and fermented them into inamona, a condiment still used today. The oil was also burned in stone lamps, which is exactly why the tree is also called candlenut. Before electricity, a single kukui nut could burn for about 15 minutes of light.

Where Kukui Is Found

Kukui is common in 121 of the US communities we cover, across 1 climate regions.

Hardiness Zones 1

East Honolulu, HI Zone 12b Hilo, HI Zone 11a Pearl City, HI Zone 12a Kailua CDP (Honolulu County), HI Zone 12b Waipahu, HI Zone 12b Kaneohe, HI Zone 12b Mililani Town, HI Zone 12a Kahului, HI Zone 12b Ewa Gentry, HI Zone 12b Kapolei, HI Zone 12b Kihei, HI Zone 12b Mililani Mauka, HI Zone 12a

... and 109 more cities

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