The Pua Kala (Hawaiian Poppy) is one tough tough plant, growing where nothing else could survive. It is toxic so not even the starving mountain goats will eat it. It was used by the ancient Hawaiians as a pain reliever but not cultivated or used today.
Nothing is known on when it arrived on the Big Island but the botanist for Capt. James Cooks found and identified the plant while exploring on the Island of Kauai in 1776. He may have introduced it to the Big Island or maybe just a shore bird brought it over.
Hope you enjoyed your Hump day story.