Kalo (or taro outside of Hawaiʻi) is a starchy root vegetable found throughout the tropics and subtropics of the world. It is believed to be one of the world’s most ancient cultivated crops, and it is deeply tied to the history and traditions of Hawaiʻi.

This website provides a tour of kalo varieties of all shapes, colors and sizes. This wide range of kalo diversity was partly born from the Hawaiians’ creativity and curious experimentation, and partly out of the need to supply food in many different environments.

Welcome to Kupuna Kalo, an online resource for reconnection with kalo (taro), a mea'ai (food) that sustained our Polynesian ancestors.

Feb 27, 2015 · While kalo (taro; Colocasia esculenta) is a common staple crop found throughout the South Pacific, Hawaiians were the only Pacific Islanders to produce pa‘i‘ai, or poi, from the kalo corm. Rather than spoil, poi ferments and was …

Most Hawaiian grown taro is allocated to four major uses: Poi, table taro, taro chips, and luau leaf. Taro for poi is cultivated by both the dryland and wetland methods. Varieties commonly used are the Lehua Maoli, `Maui’ Lehua, and Moi. The Chinese Bun Long is used as table taro, luau (taro leaf), and taro chips.

There are 5 main kalo families; lehua, mana, piko, lauloa, and ‘eleʻele. Each variety of kalo has unique features with different color leaves, stems, and piko. Kalo varieties also make different colors of poi ranging from red, pink, yellow, white, grey, purple and brown.

Mar 1, 2019 · Kalo is the Hawaiian word given to the taro plant, Colocasia esculenta. It is widely documented that the number of edible kalo cultivars has decreased from an estimated 200–300 to just 90–100 different varieties grown today.

Kalo is the Hawaiian name for the cultivated plant taro (Colocasia esculenta) (2), a crop that has been feeding people for more than a thousand years. Unlike the generic term “taro,” which people use worldwide, kalo carries a unique cultural and spiritual significance in Hawaii.

Tall, well sreading, stocky, maturing within 9 to 12 months, producing from 15 to 20 ‘ohā; identified by purple ‘i‘o kalo (Corm) fibers, conspicuous against whitish ‘i‘o kalo (Corm) flesh.

Explore and Learn the essence of Hawaiian culture with our exclusive Hawaiian Kalo Experience in the Hilo area of Big Island. Dive deep into the islands' traditions and uncover the secrets of the sacred taro root, locally known as 'Kalo.'