I don't have any idea about the maile preservation, except for the pressed technique you mentioned. While reading the Honolulu Adverstiser newspaper, I read an article that was featured in the front page about Maile and it reminded me of reading your post at GardenWeb.

The article is interesting and your idea of preserving Maile without physical changes in the leaf is understandable.

How are you growing your maile - are you upcountry in a colder area ? Is it possible to grow it down lower, like the Omao to Kalaheo area on Kauai (coastal hills). Any advice or techniques would be appreciated !

Aloha, Mark

You can put them in the freezer or hang up and dry my husband said.

I'm growing maile in South Kohala, down near sea level, semi-shaded area. I always thought maile had to be upcountry, wet, but apparently it will grow just about anywhere if you water it adequately, and it doesn't get too much direct sun.

It does grow fairly slowly here, at least so far, but seems happy.