Kai Kea (Ala Kea)
General characteristics: Medium in height, well spreading, maturing within 8 to 12 months, producing from 5 to 10 oha; except for the pinkish flush near petiole base, it is very similar to Kai Ala.
Petiole: 70 to 90 cm long, light yellowish-green with pink flush particularly conspicuous near base, distinctly reddish at edge, light reddish-purple at apex, a reddish-purple ring at base with lilac-pink for 3 to 5 cm above.
Leaf blade: 45 to 55 cm long, 30 to 40 cm wide, 35 to 45 cm from tip to base of sinus, ovate, concave, pendant dark green; margins with numerous fine undulations; veins light green on upper surface, usually light reddish-purple on lower; piko small, reddish-purple; lobes obtuse to slightly acute, quite undulate, with fairly deep, narrow sinus.
Corm: Flesh white with pink tinge particularly conspicuous at apex; skin light pink.
Inflorescence: Peduncle light yellowish-green; spathe 18 to 23 cm long, the lower tubular portion 3 to 4 cm long, yellowish-green usually with pink tinge and reddish area at base, loosely rolled and occasionally somewhat open, the upper portion yellow, loosely rolled and open near constriction; spadix 6 to 9 cm long, the sterile appendage 7 to 11 mm long.
Origin, and derivation of name: Native variety; the name Kea refers to the light-colored petioles.
Distribution: Most widely planted variety of the Kai, grown throughout the islands but particularly on Kauai and at Waialua, Oahu. Except in a few scattered localities in Hawaii, this taro is grown under wetland culture.
Use: The poi is of excellent quality and was highly esteemed by the Hawaiian chiefs.
Taken from “Taro Varieties in Hawaii” Bulletin 84 by CTAHR
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