Of the fifty-odd species of rare Hawaiian trees found here, forty-one species had specific Hawaiian ethnobotanical uses; nineteen of these had medicinal uses, thirteen were used in making specific tools, thirteen had uses in canoe construction, eight were used in kapa making , eight to make dyes ranging from pink to blue to a rich yellow-orange.  At least seven of the trees have spiritual significance and were used religiously.  Miscellaneous uses ranged from fireworks, to birdlime, to a fish narcotizing agent.

 

Medeiros, A.C., C.F. Davenport, and C.G. Chimera. 1998. Auwahi: Ethnobotany of Hawaiian dryland forest. Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit, University of Hawai’i. Technical Report 117