Ohia Moss/Yellow Modern Necktie

'Ohi'a Lehua grows only in Hawaii.  It can be a small bush or a large tree.  'Ohi'a Lehua can either mean the distinctive flower of the 'ohi'a tree or the tree itself.  After a new lava field flows it is often the first plant to grow.  The majority of 'Ohi'a Lehua flowers are red.

Hawaiian 'Ohi'a Legend

Legend states that one day Pele met an attractive warrior named 'Ohi'a and asked him for his hand in marriage.  But 'Ohi'a had already pledged his love to Lehua.  Pele was furious when 'Ohi'a turned down her marriage proposal, so she transformed 'Ohi'a into a gnarled tree.  Lehua was heartbroken.  The gods took pity on Lehua and decided it was unfair to leave 'Ohi'a and Lehua separated.  They turned Lehua into a flower on the 'Ohi'a tree so that the two lovers would forever be joined together.