The Origins Of Kauai Electric – One Of Hawaii’s Most Popular Cultivars
When you think of well-known Hawaii strains, you think of strains like Maui Wowie, Kona Gold, Puna Butter, and of course, Kauai Electric. Kauai is a small island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, so how did a strain like Kauai Electric become so well-known? What is the history of the strain and who is responsible for creating it?
Powerline, our Kauai Electric BX | Photo courtesy @Waraganj
How Kauai Electric Was Bred
Kauai Electric is Afghani x Chocolate Thai Stick. There are several characteristics that help identify this strain. It has large fan leaves that are thinner than other strains. The serration of the leaves have a rounder appearance causing the leaf’s edges to not hold a sharp shape, or have pointed edges, taking on a smoother appearance. The plant’s branching has large internodal spacing and chunky buds. The terpene profile is predominantly Chocolate Thai Stick upfront and raunchy skunk with a hint of lemon lime berry Sprite terps and even a touch of guava or passionfruit. The effects are motivational and productive, inspiring creativity. Many believe this is the original Skunk, or where Skunk came from as it is one of the earliest known terpene profiles in that realm.
It is believed that Robert “Rosie” Rosenthal, a decorated Air Force General, used to visit Kauai during the early 70s. On one of his trips, he brought over Chocolate Thai Sticks, which were bundles of cannabis branches with flower, often containing some seeds, from the Silk Road area. The Chocolate Thai Stick was known to have red thread wrapped around the bundle.
Rosie Rosenthal visited a now-famous hippie community on Kauai called Taylor Camp, which was very weed-friendly. There he gave some Chocolate Thai Sticks to a man named Jonesy, who lived on Kapaka Street, also known as “Powerline” trail on the North Shore of Kauai in the Princeville area. Jonesy germinated some seeds from the Chocolate Thai Sticks and crossed them to Bob’s (Supa) Afghani, creating what is now known as Kauai Electric.
The name came about because Jonesy lived on Kapaka Street and the strain was bred under the powerlines that ran through the mountains. Powerline trail is often confused with Powerhouse Rd., which is in Wainiha, because some famous Kauai strains came through this part of the island, but that story will be left for another time.
How Did They Keep Kauai Electric Around For So Long?
In 1992, Kauai got hit by the most destructive hurricane in Hawaii history, Hurricane Iniki. It caused such devastation that the north shore lost power and wouldn’t get it back for 3 months. After working so hard to keep the Kauai Electric alive, Jonesy gave Bob and a few close friends original Kauai Electric seeds before he quickly got on a plane and took cuts to Maui where there was power and he could grow. The Kauai Electric cut was passed around to a few people in effort to not only bring the strain back to Kauai but to keep it around for years to come. This is the cut that 808 Genetics was gifted and works with.
Whenever a strain is extremely popular, growers make sure to keep it around for as long as possible. Another contributing factor on why this strain is still around to this day is because of how resilient it is. It has a quick veg, is powdery mildew and downy mildew resistant, mold resistant, and thrives in humid, tropical environments. It is great for beginner growers as it drinks well and is easy to feed, and is great for well-seasoned growers for those reasons in addition to its desired effects and offensive terps. Because of these factors, Kauai Electric is not only kept around by a tight-knit group of Hawaii growers for being a legendary island cultivar, but is easy to keep around, increasing the likeliness that it will be around for decades to come.
The Movement of Genetics To Hawaii & Around The World
Kauai Electric is a loved strain on the island of Kauai and is also known throughout the state due to its popularity on Kauai. Kauai is the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands, known as The Garden Island, and boasts lush tropical plant life and breathtaking views. A popular vacation destination, many people from all over the world continue to visit as well as people from neighboring islands. The variety of tourists that arrive here help not only bring strains to the islands, but strains like Crippy and Kauai Electric from the islands to other parts of the world.
For more information on the history of cannabis, we recommend you read the book Thai Stick: Surfers, Scammers, and the Untold Story of the Marijuana Trade by Peter Maguire and Mike Ritter, which explains the origins of cannabis genetics in the U.S.
Disclaimer: This information is based on conversations and stories from Kauai locals. We do not claim any of the above to be historically accurate, but provide information that will help start conversations about how local strains like Kauai Electric came to be.