What is Pakalolo?
The Hawaiian word for cannabis is Pakalolo, which literally translates to “dumb (or stupid, or crazy) smoke.” Despite the playful name, Pakalolo holds a special place in Hawaiian culture. Pakalolo has a rich history on the islands and has been traditionally cultivated using natural light cycles long before modern indoor grow operations came into play.
Long and Short Growing Seasons in Hawaii
Before artificial lighting made year-round cultivation possible, Hawaiians categorized their growing into two main cycles: long season and short season. Hawaiian Sativa seeds were often planted at the start of May to take advantage of the long season, which lasts until around September or October. These long-season plants grow large, often yielding pounds of bud per plant. In contrast, short-season crops are planted in August and harvested around February. These short-season plants stay small—usually between 14 to 24 inches—since the shorter daylight hours trigger early flowering. These natural methods are still favored by old-school growers who appreciate the simplicity and effectiveness of sun-grown weed.
Traditional Growing, Modern Materials
Today’s growers often blend old techniques with modern tools. A tried-and-true method starts with Sunshine Mix, Pro-Mix, or any medium enriched with Mycorrhiza, which helps root development. Use 4-inch pots filled with wetted soil—no nutrients at this stage. Plant Hawaiian Sativa seeds and Hawaiian Indica seeds about a finger-knuckle deep. When seedlings reach about 3 inches (10 cm), feed them a half-strength balanced fertilizer (like a 4-3-4 formula). Miracle-Gro is a popular option—not because it’s fancy, but because it’s simple and cost-effective.
Up-potting and Feeding
After a week or so, your cannabis seedlings will grow rapidly. At this point, transfer them to 1-gallon (4-liter) pots filled with fresh soil. This time, use full-strength vegetative fertilizer and add 1 tablespoon (5–7 grams) of chicken manure to the bottom third of the soil. As roots reach the nutrient-rich zone, your plants will thrive. A healthy cannabis strain can quickly grow to 24 inches tall (7 decimeters). For long-season plants, you’ll eventually need pots up to 250 gallons. For short-season plants, 3 to 5 gallons will suffice. Adjust your feeding and watering schedule based on the plant’s growth stage and strain needs.
Male Plants and Wind Pollination
Always keep a close eye out for male plants and remove them immediately unless you’re planning to breed seeds. One male can pollinate all females within a 1,000-foot (300-meter) radius, and even further if the wind carries the pollen. Since Pakalolo—and other cannabis strains—are wind-pollinated, no insects or birds are involved. If you plan to keep a male for breeding, give your neighbors a heads-up to avoid issues. Respect and community go a long way, especially in the close-knit Hawaiian growing scene.
Final Thoughts
This guide covers just the basics of growing Hawaiian Sativa seeds and also Hawaiian Indica seeds the traditional way, but there’s plenty more to explore. Stay tuned to this blog for upcoming posts on preventing common pests and diseases, pruning and shaping, harvesting, drying, curing, manicuring, and storage. And of course, we’ll talk about how to enjoy your harvest—whether through hash, oils, topicals, edibles, or smokables. (We’ll leave rope-making to hemp—just kidding… kind of.)
