I. ˈpükə noun
( -s )
Etymology: Maori
1. : a rare New Zealand tree ( Meryta sinclairii ) of the family Araliaceae with large resinous leaves and dioecious flowers in panicles
2. : either of two New Zealand trees of the genus Griselinia that are sometimes epiphytic:
a. : a tree ( G. lucida ) with long thick shining leaves and green or yellow flowers in axillary panicles
b. : kapuka
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Hawaiian
Hawaii : hole , tunnel
if … I ever get the giant African snails out of their favorite pukas, I shall really enjoy the gardening — Honolulu Star-Bulletin
III. ˈpükə noun
( -s )
Etymology: puka shell , from Hawaiian puka hole + English shell
: a small usually perforated wave- and beach-polished shell fragment formed from the spire of a cone (genus Conus ), found along beaches of Pacific Islands, and used especially to make necklaces