The young fronds of certain ferns, especially tree ferns, are covered
with a bronze-colored silky floss called “pulu.” Used by the ancient
Hawaiians as an absorbent, for surgical dressings, and even in embalming
their dead, pulu became an item of export importance to the mainland
from the 1860’s to 1884. During this period some 4,271,119 pounds were
shipped, according to Degener (2). It was used primarily for stuffing
mattresses, pillows, and upholstery. Carl P. Russell in his _One-Hundred
Years in Yosemite_ (1947, p. 102) quotes Caroline M. Churchill, a
visitor to Leidig’s, a Yosemite hostelry established in 1869: “At this
place the beds are cleanly and wholesome, although consisting of pulu
mattresses placed upon slat bedsteads.”
The remains of the old pulu factory may be seen today in Kilauea section
about 1.8 miles below Makaopuhi Crater on the trail to Napau Crater.
Here the pulu was dried and baled before being taken seaward over the
pali to Keauhou Landing for loading onto mainland-bound vessels.
Although a high percentage of pulu was gathered from Kilauea ferns, the
industry fortunately terminated about 1885, and no more ferns were cut
for the small amount of pulu obtained from each. The hike to the pulu
factory is not strenuous, and is one of the most interesting in Hawaii
National Park.
[Illustration: {_Pulu._}]