Hawaiian Pili Grass Houses: Hawaii Five-0 2010 When the Light Goes Out

Summary: Does modern construction deter a third home invasion less than Hawaiian pili grass traditional homes in the Hawaii Five-0 episode When the Light Goes Out?

Traditional hale moe or sleeping house, reconstructed in 1902, is made from pili grass (Heteropogon contortus) thatch, uhihui (Caesalpinia kavaiensis) wood and 'uki'uki (Dianella sandwicensis) cordage; Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum (designated as Hawaiʻi State Museum of Natural and Cultural History); Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013: daryl_mitchell, CC BY SA 2.0 Generic, via Flickr

The adage and the Hawaii Five-0 2010 active police procedural episode When the Light Goes Out, the House Is Dark Dec. 7, 2018, address Hawaiian pili grass traditional homes and modern construction.

Director Gabriel Beristain and writer Paul Grellong borrow the olelo au ("advice") Pio ke kukui, po'ele ka hale for Season 9's 10th episode, series' 203rd overall. The last episode in the 2017 component of the 2017/2018 season concerns an assassination attempt against Hawaii Five-0 task force Lieutenant Commander Steven McGarrett (Alex O'Loughlin). Home-invading assassins damage the McGarrett dwelling, as did those during Season 1's death of John McGarrett (William Sadler) and defensive custody of General Pak (Ric Young).

McGarrett elicits Kamekona Tupuola's (Taylor Wily) expertise in electing replacement woods for modern construction, not for Hawaiian pili grass traditional homes, after the second home invasion.

Hawaiian pili grass traditional homes furnished each extended family with separate sitting (hale noho), sleeping and storage (hale noa) and storage and working (hale ku'ai) houses.

Hawaiian pili grass traditional homes gathered around the hill of the chief's (hale ali'i) stone-foundation house with woven-mat floors and meeting and storage (hale papa'a) house. Their inhabitants had communal pili grass children's and women's (hale 'aina) and men's (hale mua) eating houses and hula drum (hale pahu) and instruction (halau) houses. They included among their communal installations canoe (hale wa'a) and fishing (hale lawai'a) houses, hardware-like stores and meeting-room houses (hale ku'ai) and weaving (hale ulana) houses.

Hawaiian pili grass traditional homes joined pili grass as braided layers and ukiuki grass (Dianella sandwicensis) as ties into moisture-, pest-, wind-resistant thatched roofs and walls.

Harvested and wild-growing pili grass, known commonly as black spear-grass, bunch spear-grass, piercing grass, stick-grass, tangle-grass, tangle-head, twisted beard-grass and wild oats, keeps a brown-green fragrance.

The coastal subtropical, tropical, warm-temperate Heteropogon contortus (from Greek ἕτερος, héteros, "different" and πώγων, pógōn, "beard," and Latin contortus, "contorted") leads four- to five-year life cycles. Cultivated, erect forms of the Poaceae (from Greek πόα, póa, "fodder," and Latin -āceae, "resembling") bamboo, cereal, lawn, pasture, savannah grass family member mature from seeds. Cultivated vegetative cuttings and wild-growing fibrous roots nurture prostrate forms in rock soil pHs 5 to 6 and 31.49-inch (800-millimeter) annual rainfall through 2,000-foot (609.6-meter) elevations.

Pili grass, outlined scientifically in 1817 by Johann Roemer (Jan. 8, 1763-Jan. 15, 1819) and Josef Schultes (April 15, 1773-April 21, 1831), occupies 2-plus-foot (0.61-plus-meter) openings.

Each green-grained fruit's grooved, tan-yellow 0.14- to 0.18-inch- (3.5- to 4.5-millimeter-) long seed pushes against bristly, 1.97- to 3.94-inch- (5- to 10-centimeter-) long, red-brown, twisted awns.

Awn-tipped bisexual and awnless male stalked spikelets queue up at tips and at bases and tips of 1.18- to 3.15-inch- (3- to 8-centimeter-) long central-stemmed racemes. Two- to 5-foot (0.61- to 1.52-meter) habits horizontally and vertically atop fibrous-rooting thick roots reveal blue-brown-green 3.94- to 11.81-inch (10- to 30-centimeter) by 0.24-inch (0.6-centimeter) leaves. Pili grass near Hawaiian pili grass traditional homes supplied ashes and leaves for coconut-mixed traditional medicines and for black dyes, floor pads, stuffed mattresses and tinder.

Hawaiian pili grass traditional homes turn up where their inhabitants treasure trust, unlike the thugs that threaten John (William Sadler) and Doris (Christine Lahti) McGarrett bloodlines.

Hawaii Five-0 special task force Lieutenant Commander Steve McGarrett (Alex O'Loughlin) is unaware that his mentor and former commanding officer, retired U.S. Navy SEAL Joe White (Terry O'Quinn) is leading them to his final resting place, against his favorite tree, a Ponderosa pine, on his Montana ranch, in CBS TV's Hawaii Five-0, season 9, episode 10, Pio Ke Kukui, Poele Ka Hale: CBS Hawaii Five-0 episode 9.10 promotional photo, via SpoilerTV Dec. 7, 2018

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

Traditional hale moe or sleeping house, reconstructed in 1902, is made from pili grass (Heteropogon contortus) thatch, uhihui (Caesalpinia kavaiensis) wood and 'uki'uki (Dianella sandwicensis) cordage; Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum (designated as Hawaiʻi State Museum of Natural and Cultural History); Sunday, Jan. 13, 2013: daryl_mitchell, CC BY SA 2.0 Generic, via Flickr @ https://www.flickr.com/photos/daryl_mitchell/8502131860/

Hawaii Five-0 special task force Lieutenant Commander Steve McGarrett (Alex O'Loughlin) is unaware this his mentor and former commanding officer, retired U.S. Navy SEAL Joe White (Terry O'Quinn) is leading them to his final resting place, against his favorite tree, a Ponderosa pine, on his Montana ranch, in CBS TV's Hawaii Five-0, season 9, episode 10, Pio Ke Kukui, Poele Ka Hale: CBS Hawaii Five-0 episode 9.10 promotional photo, via SpoilerTV Dec. 7, 2018, @ https://www.spoilertv.com/2018/11/hawaii-five-0-episode-910-pio-ke-kukui.html

For further information:

Daehler, Curtis C.; and Debbie A. Carino. 1998. "Recent Replacement of Pili Grass (Heteropogon contortus) by Invasive African Grasses in the Hawaiian Islands." Pacific Science, vol. 52, no. 3 (July 1998): 220-227.
Available via Research Gate @ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/29737111_Recent_Replacement_of_Native_Pili_Grass_Heteropogon_contortus_by_Invasive_African_Grasses_in_the_Hawaiian_Islands/download

Duff, Diana. 5 April 2015. "Dedicated Growers Bringing Back Pili Grass." West Hawaii Today > Features.
Available @ http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/2015/04/05/features/dedicated-growers-bringing-back-pili-grass/

"Heteropogon contortus." Native Plants Hawai'i > Plant.
Available @ http://nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Heteropogon_contortus

"Heteropogon contortus (L.) P. Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult." Tropicos® > Name Search.
Available @ http://www.tropicos.org/Name/25509691

Marriner, Derdriu. 1 December 2018. “Ko'a Black Coral for Hawaii Five-0 2010's Truth Comes from the Night.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/12/koa-black-coral-for-hawaii-five-0-2010s.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 17 November 2018. “Hawaiian Goose Nēnē: Birds of a Feather Episode on Hawaii Five-0 2010.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/11/hawaiian-goose-nene-birds-of-feather.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 10 November 2018. “Hawaiian Horses, Chang and McGarrett: Hawaii Five-0 2010 200th Episode.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/11/hawaiian-horses-chang-and-mcgarrett.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 3 November 2018. “Olonā Hawaiian Nettle Shrubs for Hawaii Five-0 Emergency Landings?” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/11/olona-hawaiian-nettle-shrubs-for-hawaii.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 27 October 2018. “Gernika Genocide Survivor Art Before Hawaii Five-0 Prophetic Child Art.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/10/gernika-genocide-survivor-art-before.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 20 October 2018. “Hawaiian Beach Sand: Hawaii Five-0 2010's On the Slope of the Cliff.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/10/hawaiian-beach-sand-hawaii-five-0-2010s.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 13 October 2018. “Proverbial Cowrie Sea Snails for the Hawaii Five-0 2010 Ninth Season.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/10/proverbial-cowrie-sea-snails-for-hawaii.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 7 October 2018. “Lamian or Ramen Noodles: Hawaii Five-0's The Man Who Fell From the Sky.” Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/10/lamian-or-ramen-noodles-hawaii-five-os.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 29 September 2018. “Gutta-Percha Trees and Hawaii Five-0 2010 Ninth Season Premiere Cocoon.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/09/gutta-percha-trees-and-hawaii-five-o.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 23 September 2018. “Ki'i Pōhaku Petroglyphs: Ancients Exposed on Five-0's Waiho Wale Kahiko.” Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/09/kii-pohaku-petroglyphs-ancients-exposed.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 13 May 2018. “Hawaiian Rain Gardens for Five-0's Tough Branch That Does Not Break.” Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/05/hawaiian-rain-gardens-for-five-0s-tough.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 6 May 2018. “Noni for Hawaii Five-0's Ka Hana A Ka Makua, O Ka Hana No Ia A Keiki.” Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/05/noni-for-hawaii-five-0s-ka-hana-ka.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 29 April 2018. “'Āliamanu Salt Lake and Five-0's Kopi Wale No I Ka I'a A 'Eu No Ka Ilo.” Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/04/aliamanu-salt-lake-and-five-0s-kopi.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 21 April 2018. “Hawaii Five-0 Episode Ahuwale Ka Nane Hina: Uku Hawaiian Gray Snappers.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/04/hawaii-five-0-episde-ahuwale-ka-nane.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 14 April 2018. “'Iwa Great Frigatebirds: Five-0's He Lokomaika'i Ka Manu O Kaiona.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/04/iwa-great-frigatebirds-five-0s-he.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 8 April 2018. “Chinese Juniper Shrubs on Hawaii Five-0 2010's Aohe Mea Make I Ka Hewa.” Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/04/chinese-juniper-shrubs-on-hawaii-five-0.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 7 April 2018. “Bonsai Gardening on Hawaii Five-0 2010 Episode Aohe Mea Make I Ka Hewa.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/04/bonsai-gardening-on-hawaii-five-0-2010.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 31 March 2018. “'Ulu Hawaiian Breadfruit To Do One's Duty on Five-0's E Ho'oko Kuleana.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/03/ulu-hawaiian-breadfruit-to-do-ones-duty.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 11 March 2018. “Chlorine Gas on Hawaii Five-0 2010's Holapu Ke Ahi Koe Iho Ka Lehu.” Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/03/chlorine-gas-on-hawaii-five-0-2010s.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 10 March 2018. “Golden Plovers and Stars of Heaven Know Where Pae Is on Hawaii Five-0.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/03/golden-plovers-and-stars-of-heaven-know.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 3 February 2018. “A Coral Reef Strengthens Out to Land on Hawaii Five-0 with Lobe Corals.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/02/a-coral-reef-strengthens-out-to-land-on.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 20 January 2018. “No Southern House Mosquitoes on Hawaii Five-0's Na Keikia Kalaihaohia.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/01/no-southern-house-mosquitoes-on-hawaii.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 13 January 2018. “What Is Gone Is Not Hawaiian Bobtail Squid on Hawaii Five-0 2010.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/01/what-is-gone-is-not-hawaiian-bobtail.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 7 January 2018. “Criminals Rare as Guernsey Dairy Cattle on Hawaii Five-0 The Roundup.” Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/01/criminals-rare-as-guernsey-dairy-cattle.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 6 January 2018. “Hawaiian Cattle Roundups and Hawaii Five-0 2010 The Roundup Criminals.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2018/01/hawaiian-cattle-roundups-and-hawaii.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 19 November 2010. “Hawaii Shave Ice Images and Take-Outs on Hawaii Five-0 2010 Ho'apono.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2010/11/hawaii-shave-ice-images-and-take-outs.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 14 November 2010. “Hawaiian Wild Boars Around Hawaii Five-0 2010's North Shore of O'ahu.” Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2010/11/hawaiian-wild-boars-around-hawaii-five.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 13 November 2010. “Limu Lipoa Hawaiian Seaweed on Hawaii Five-0 2010 Episode Nalowale.” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2010/11/limu-lipoa-hawaiian-seaweed-on-hawaii.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 12 November 2010. “Hawaiian Blueberry Botanical Illustrations for Hawaii Five-0 Pancakes.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2010/11/hawaiian-blueberry-botanical.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 7 November 2010. “Hawaii Five-0 2010: Respect the Land and the Pizza Without Pineapples?” Earth and Space News. Sunday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2010/11/hawaii-five-0-2010-respect-land-and.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 6 November 2010. “Pygmy Hippopotamuses for Grace of the Hawaii Five-0 2010 Family?” Earth and Space News. Saturday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2010/11/pygmy-hippopotamuses-for-grace-of.html

Marriner, Derdriu. 5 November 2010. “Pineappley Hala Tree Botanical Illustrations for Hawaii Five-0 Pilot.” Earth and Space News. Friday.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2010/11/pineappley-hala-tree-botanical.html

"Pilot." Hawaii Five-0 2010: The First Season. Los Angeles CA: Paramount Pictures, Sept. 20, 2010.

"Pio Ke Kukui, Po'ele Ka Hale: When the Light Goes Out, the House Is Dark." Hawaii Five-0 2010: The Ninth Season. Los Angeles CA: Paramount Pictures, Dec. 7, 2018.

"Po'ipu: The Siege." Hawaii Five-0 2010: The First Season. Los Angeles CA: Paramount Pictures, Nov. 15, 2010.

Rachel; and Stephanie. 2003. "Pili Grass." Kamehameha Schools > Kamehameha Middle School > Koa Team.
Available @ http://kms.kapalama.ksbe.edu/projects/2003/plants/piligrass/index.html

Roemer, Johann Jacob; and Josef August Schultes. November 1817. "2. H. contortus Beauv." Systema Vegetabilium, editio nova, volumen secundum: 836.
Available via Biodiversity Heritage Library (Missouri Botanical Garden Peter H. Raven Library) @ https://biodiversitylibrary.org/page/720525
Available via Biblioteca Digital Real Jardín Botánico CSIC @ http://bibdigital.rjb.csic.es/ing/Libro.php?Libro=1699

"Sustainable Building: Old Is New Again." About Maui Nui > Traditional Hawaiian Building > September 19, 2010.
Available @ https://aboutmauinui.com/tag/traditional-hawaiian-building/

SpoilerTV. 9 November 2018. "Hawaii Five-0 -- Episode 9.10 -- Pio ke kukui, poele ka hale -- Promo, Promotional Photos + Press Release.” SpoilerTV > Broadcast > CBS Shows.
Available @ https://www.spoilertv.com/2018/11/hawaii-five-0-episode-910-pio-ke-kukui.html

"Tanglehead Heteropogon contortus (L.) P. Beauv. ex Roem. & Schult." United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Plant Fact Sheet.
Available @ https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_heco10.pdf