Hawaiian legend has it that the goddess Pele fell in love with a mortal who was married and devoted to his wife. In her anger, Pele turned him into a Naupaka blossom and sent him to grow near the sea. She also turned his wife into a Naupaka and sent her to grow on the hillside. Each of these tiny flowers have petals on only one side. They don't make a full circular design until they are joined together.