koli'i 

Koli'i  is no doubt the showstopper of native Hawaiian plants. When in full inflorescence it is a sight to behold. It is very easy to tell when blooming. The pink flowers points up and there are rows of these flowers. However, it is not easily seen and a hiker would have to be lucky or travel a long distance to see these wonderful species of plants.

Background Information

According to the book Hawaiian Plant Life, there are 8 species of Koli'i also known as its scientific name trematolobelia. Although only 1 species is in the endangered category, this species of plant takes at least 5 years to bloom and then dies. How can I explain this, it is the ultimate dedication to quality of life. By that I mean, it puts forth effort by taking its time to become great with its amazing showcase of flowers, and then it's over. Unlike many other plants which produces so much seeds year after year that prove the Darwin theory, the koli'i is the opposite. And for that, it must be respected, it goes against the grain. 

Koli'i

This species is called  Trematolobelia kaalae. As the name suggest, you can see this plant on Mount Ka'ala in the Waianae Mountain Range. The bloom period is in March or spring. It blooms earlier than the Trematolobelia macrostaychys and only an expert could tell the difference if not blooming. It branches in 4s+ and has rows of flowers. After 5+ years of growing, it blooms only once and dies. The pink flowers are so pretty that you have to take a pic. 

Koli'i

This species is called Trematolobelia macrostaychys. Although secure and more common than the other Koli'i, it is not easily seen on hikes, unless you get to boardwalk on Ka'ala or the meadow of Poamoho, and even then you might not see it in bloom since it blooms only once in its lifetime and then dies. The blooming period is in the fall.

Koli'i

This species is called trematolobelia singularis. It is federally listed as endangered and is only restricted to the Southern Ko'olau summit range. There are about 165 left (2005 data). This one pictured below was in almost full bloom and sheltering a family of 4. What makes it different from other Koli'i is that when it blooms there is only one stalk, unlike the other Koli'i which branches.

Source: 

• Hawaiianforest.com

• Smithsonian, 2005

• Trematolobelia Singularis