A towering, woven wonder made entirely of lau niu (coconut leaves) is adding a lot of local-style holiday happiness at the University of Hawaiʻi–West Oʻahu.
The inspiration behind UH West Oʻahu’s “Niu Christmas Tree,” which is on display in the lobby of the Administration and Health Sciences (AHS) Building, went beyond simply decking the halls for some seasonal cheer.
“I wanted to maximize what we have here in every aspect, especially with the ʻāina and abundance, to use what we have,” said Indrajit Gunasekara, Uluniu Project Coordinator and UH West Oʻahu Financial Aid Officer.
Gunasekara led a team of about five volunteers who spent many hours (Gunasekara alone spent eight hours on it) making the tree out of four fronds gifted by Aunty Wainani Texeire from Germaine’s Luau in Kalaeloa. The process included finding fronds with even shapes, structuring to best fit the available space, and weaving the fronds from the bottom up.
“The coconut tree is the tree of life throughout the tropical world and has many consistent patterns that inspired humanity over many millennia,” Gunasekara noted. “Weaving is just one of them.”
A beautiful site by itself, the tree — estimated to be about 11 feet and 40 pounds — is made even merrier with stringed lights and festive decorations, as well as wrapped presents at its base.
There’s a message Gunasekara said he hopes the tree conveys to those who admire it.
“To see the true potential of the coconut palm and its many different uses as our tree of life,” he said.
And speaking to the importance of the coconut palm, Gunasekara also pointed out how the Uluniu Project that he is a part of planted 10 coconut trees of five dwarf varieties on campus land at the beginning of this year.
The Niu Christmas Tree will be on display through at least Christmas and can be seen from the outside of the AHS Building.
