Piko Eleele (Haehae Eleele, Helemauna, Ipuolono, Makaopio)
General characteristics: Medium in height, erect, moderately stocky, maturing within 12 to 15 months, producing from 5 to 10 oha; distinguished from other Piko taros by dark purplish petioles.
Petiole: 55 to 85 cm long, reddish-brown to purplish, especially on lower half, with indistinct or narrow reddish edge and usually with adjacent dark green blotches, particularly near the base, a brilliant dark pink ring at base with light pink area flecked with light reddish-brown for 3 to 4 cm above.
Leaf blade: 35 to 45 cm long, 20 to 30 cm wide, 20 to 30 cm from tip to base of sinus, horizontal, broadly sagittate tapering abruptly to sharp point, fairly firm in texture, dark green; piko light green to light pinkish; lobes obtuse with narrow sinus.
Corm: Flesh white with pinkish tinge, especially near apex, and yellowish fibers; skin pale salmon-pink, often purple along leaf-scar rings.
Inflorescence: Peduncle reddish-purple; spathe 15 to 20 cm long, the lower tubular constricted portion 3 to 4.5 cm long, green, tinged with red at base, usually partially open exposing the ovaries, the upper portion deep yellow; spadix 5 to 6 cm long, the sterile appendage about 4 mm long.
Origin, and derivation of name: Native variety; called Eleele because of its dark petioles.
Distribution: Grown either as wetland or upland taro; planted quite extensively at Kona, Hawaii, under upland culture.
Use: A common poi taro; also considered an excellent table variety, and the leaves are popular for luau.
Remarks: Piko Eleele does better in the upper valley areas where rainfall is abundant and the water cool; at low elevations in water which has become warm by passing thru several paddies a soft starch is produced which rots readily. The name Piko Eleele is sometimes confused with Pikoele; the latter is not a Piko taro.
Taken from “Taro Varieties in Hawaii” Bulletin 84 by CTAHR
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