Long ago, the land of Keahupua'anui (now known as Hamakua) was covered with many loulu palms.

We know this because two scientists used a coring machine to bring up core samples of soil, and they checked for the kinds of pollen present in the soil from ancient times.

They found large amounts of pollen from four main plants which are listed below: • loulu • 'a'ali'i • kanaloa • 'aweoweo Loulu was used by ancient Hawaiians to make fans and the giant leaves were used as umbrellas for protection against the rain. The seeds were used as food. The inner part of the nut was eaten. The taste was similar to coconut. These seeds were called hawane or wahane.

They were also eaten by rats and pigs, so I think that both animals were also probably found at Hamakua in ancient times. Offshore of the island of Molokai on the tall island of Huelo many loulu trees grow. The people of old would jump as sport from this island using loulu leaves like bird wings to glide safely to the sea. The loulu was very valuable to the early Hawaiians.