Spent my Saturday sitting under the giant banyan tree at the Hawaii Plantation Village, helping out at their first farmers market. Their volunteers are so knowledgeable about the plants and trees on their property, they told me about the Laamia or calabash tree. They produce these egg-shaped gourd. These gourds are used to make ‘uli ‘uli, feathered gourd rattles used in hula. I also found out from one of docent that the Portuguese used them to make castanets. Here’s an article I found on other uses for these fruits.

One of the volunteers, was using the dried out gourds as hanging containers for air plants. I’m sure there are tons of other uses for these gourds.