Hiking some of the best trails on the Hawaiian islands? Stopped to admire the views of the lush-green, rainforest landscape surrounding you?
Ever wonder what all those Hawaiian plants and trees are, towering over you forming a rainforest canopy, the dense green understory or the pretty flowering trees, along the trail?
With over 1400 plant species on Hawaii, and a large portion of them native or endemic, identifying Hawaiian plants and telling one from the other is not easy!
But in this post, we will walk you through the Hawaiian plants you will commonly see or encounter on your hikes, ones that are easily recognizable and how to identify them, and educate you on what threats some of these beautiful Hawaiian plants face.
You will never hike another Hawaiian trail again without being able to point out many of the Hawaiian plants around you, and being ready with binoculars to spot the pretty birds that visit them!
Hey, by the way! Visiting Hawaii? While you finalize your packing, don’t forget to book your tours and activities, way in advance, to avoid disappointments! Start here, and pick the islands you plan to visit. Or go directly to the best Oahu tours, the best things to do in Maui, and the best Kauai helicopter tours!
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Hiking Gear Checklist
Many of Hawaii’s hikes are demanding, make sure you are well equipped and well prepared. Here’s what we typically take with us:
- Water Bottle: I hate plastic bottles, and with opaque bladders you can’t see if it is moldy inside. We use this Hydro Flask water bottle – light, stainless steel, wide mouth (you can add ice), with double-wall vacuum insulation (greatly refreshing for hikes in summer). You can also get it with a Flex Straw Lid!
- Hiking Shoes: My preferred hiking shoes are the medium range Merrell Moab 3 Waterproof Hiking Shoe (men’s, women’s, men’s mid), great for Hawaii’s trails through mud and streams. My wife loves her high-end Salomon X Ultra 4 GTX Hiking shoes (men’s, women’s), also waterproof.
- Sunscreen: Hawaii’s sun can be harsh. Avoid sunburn with sunscreen compliant with Hawaii’s 104 Reef Act. The Sun Bum Original SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray, moisturizing with Vitamin E, is our go-to when we travel to Hawaii. Apply liberally and regularly!
- Trekking Poles: Great for hikes that involve climbing, both going uphill and downhill, and on trails that are wet, muddy and slippery! Improve your footing with this collapsible, high-end Black Diamond Trail Cork Trekking Poles, available for men and women.
- Headlamp: Planning a sunrise or sunset hike? Hiking in the dark is no fun, especially on many of Hawaii’s rainforest or ridge hikes. We love these two headlamps: the budget Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp and the premium Petzl Actik Core Headlamp, with many features.
Iconic Hawaiian Plants
Silversword (‘Ahinahina)
Quick, what comes to mind when you are asked to name a Hawaiian plant? If you said silversword, you’re like the majority of us.
Silversword, ‘ahinahina in Hawaiian, is an endemic Hawaiian plant, within the sunflower or aster family, found in the arid desert-like conditions typical of the Haleakala crater basin in the Haleakala National Park on Maui or the slopes of Mauna Kea and Mauna Loa on the Big Island.
The silversword is a low shrub with long, narrow, succulent leaves with dense, silvery hairs, hence the name! They live up to 90+ years, but bloom only once in their lifetime, with hundreds of flowers from a stalk.
We saw a bunch while hiking the popular Sliding Sands Trail in the Haleakala National Park, and some were in full bloom (June – November), a rare sight indeed!
Silversword are rare and critically endangered, so don’t pick up one for your souvenir box! The silversword plant went nearly extinct due to human vandalism and browsing by cattle and goats introduced into Hawaii.
The greensword, a close cousin, is also a low shrub of about 6 feet, and can be found on the Iliau Nature Loop Trail, one of the best Waimea Canyon hikes in Waimea Canyon State Park on Kauai.
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‘Ohi’a Lehua (Hawaii State Endemic Tree)
The first plant to grow on fresh lava flows, the ‘Ohi’a Lehua, the endemic state tree of Hawaii, is one of the most common Hawaiian trees on the main islands of Hawaii.
The ‘ohi’a lehua, a perennial evergreen, is quite adaptable, and found in various habitats, but in varying sizes, from towering trees of upto 100 feet in rainforests to small-sized shrubs in drier or swampy habitats.
Revered by the native Hawaiians as sacred to Pele, their volcano god, the ‘ohi’a lehua wood was commonly used for the construction of their houses and canoes.
The ‘ohi’a lehua produces beautiful, bright red or yellow flowers, sometimes year-round but typically in spring, that you can see hiking most trails on Hawaii.
The ohi’a lehua is a refuge for the native Hawaiian birds, especially in the upland forests where these trees are dominant.
Keep an eye out for pretty endemic Hawaiian honeycreepers like the apapane flitting between nectar-filled ‘ohi’a lehua flowers.
Unfortunately, in more recent times, a fungus has proliferated on Hawaii killing these majestic Hawaiian trees by thousands with a disease called rapid Ohia death. Make sure to read the signs and clean your shoes before hiking a trail to prevent its spread.
Banyan Trees
The banyan tree, though not native to Hawaii, has become a commonplace fixture on the islands, and in some cases, iconic landmarks!
The Lahaina banyan tree on Maui, planted in 1873, is the oldest in Hawaii, and is about 60 feet tall, with a huge canopy providing shade over a quarter mile circle, and a haven for the ubiquitous common myna bird!
Though badly burned in the 2023 fires, this tree is expected to survive.
The banyan tree is a fig tree, originally from India, that grows auxiliary roots from branches that become prop trunks to support its continued outward growth.
You can spot banyan trees on the Banyan Drive in Big Island, Iolani Palace on Oahu, the historic Moana Hotel on Waikiki Beach, and hiking trails like the Manoa Falls Trail on Oahu and the Pipiwai Trail on Maui.
Don’t forget to take a few Instagram photos of this unique tree dotting the Hawaiian landscape!
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Bamboo (‘Ohe) Trees
The distinctive bamboo trees on Hawaii were likely introduced by the ancient Hawaiians who brought the plant with them on their canoes.
Though not native to Hawaii, bamboo grows really well here in the tropical climate, and you’ll see dense bamboo forests on many of the best Hawaiian hiking trails including the Manoa Falls trail on Oahu and the Pipiwai Trail in the Haleakala National Park on Maui.
With its pretty slender stalk, bamboo is actually a type of grass, that grows in clumps, to heights of 50+ feet.
The bamboo tree, along with the coconut palm tree, were two extensively used trees by the native Hawaiians, and bamboo was used for hollow tubes, skewers, mats, baskets, construction, and even food.
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Native Hawaiian Plants
Koa
The fast-growing acacia koa tree, endemic to Hawaii and the second-most common part of the towering canopy of most rainforests on Hawaii (after the ‘ohi’a lehua), is the tallest native Hawaiian tree, reaching heights of 115 feet.
The koa tree’s reddish-brown hardwood was a staple of the native Hawaiian’s construction of canoes, spears and musical instruments, and is now one of the more valuable hardwoods in the world.
You’ll see koa trees all over the islands, at most elevations, and on most popular rainforest trails on Maui, Oahu and the Big Island, providing a wide-spreading and umbrella-like canopy.
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Hapu’u Fern
The dense lush green vegetation that you see in Hawaii’s tropical rainforests partly consists of dense Hapu’u Fern, an endemic Hawaiian fern tree, ranging from 7 to 25 feet.
The Hapu’u fern trees can carpet the ground or form the forest understory on trees and shrubs, and are commonly found in the wet rainforests on the mountain sides at elevations from a 1000 feet to 6000 feet.
Some of the Hapu’u fern trees you’ll see are thousands of years old, they grow, collapse, and then grow back, in an unending cycle!
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Uluhe Fern
Standing on a rainforest trail on Hawaii, you often wonder how every inch of the ground seems to be so lush green!
The Uluhe Fern is probably the main reason, and is the most common ground cover in the rainforests, and you’ll find an abundance of this native fern as you make your way higher up the trail.
Uluhe is found on all the main islands, and can quickly take over trails, unused roads, and even new lava flows.
Native Hawaiians used this fern soaked in water for constipation medication.
Mamane
Mamane, another endemic Hawaiian plant found on most islands, can grow up to 50 feet as a tree, or remain stunted as a shrub depending on the environment.
Its pretty yellow flowers in spring and winter, and its seeds and buds form the staple diet of the Palila, a pretty large honeycreeper, endemic to the Big Island, and critically endangered.
The mamane can be found most commonly on the slopes of Mauna Kea on the Big Island as well as east Maui, but is under threat from foraging sheep and goats.
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Native Hawaiian Plants Brought on Canoes
The ancient Hawaiians brought several key plants with them on their outrigger canoes from Polynesia, and some of these like the coconut palm tree were probably native to Hawaii.
Kalo (Taro) (Hawaii State Plant)
Key among the canoe plants was kalo, also known as taro, that formed the staple diet of the ancient Hawaiians, and was extensively cultivated on all the main Hawaiian islands.
Most parts of the plant were consumed, with the leaves cooked similar to greens like spinach, the starchy roots were steamed and mashed to make poi, and the tubers were baked.
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Ki (Ti)
Ki or Ti plant is grown primarily for its broad, 1-2 feet elongated leaves that are used in leis, hula skirts, and cooking, for example, wrapping kalua pork in the imu or underground oven.
The ti plant leaves come in a variety of colors including green, purple, and red, and grow in the wild, as well as are cultivated.
Ancient Hawaiians revered the ti plant, and chiefs and priests would wear it around their necks for ceremonies.
Even today, Hawaiians use ti leaves around the perimeter of their house to ward off evil spirits.
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Kukui (Candlenut) (State Tree of Hawaii)
The kukui nut tree or the candlenut tree is found on all the main islands of Hawaii.
We saw many kukui nut trees while hiking the aptly named Kukui Trail from the Waimea Canyon rim to the Waimea River at the base, on the island of Kauai.
The nut is edible and used in dishes like Ahi Poke where the nuts are added, roasted and crushed, and ‘inamona, a relish made from roasted, crushed nuts with salt.
Ancient Hawaiians brought the kukui nut tree seeds with them in their canoes because they used the oil from the nuts for lighting stone lamps.
Noni
The noni plant is about 10 feet high with large green leaves and bears small fruit throughout the year, that were favored by the ancient Hawaiians for medicinal purposes.
Not pleasant to taste or smell, the ripe yellow fruit is usually consumed as juice mixed with other fruit juice.
The native Hawaiians used noni fruit juice to treat wounds and diseases.
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Ulu (Breadfruit)
The Ulu tree is a large tree that can grow to around 80 feet, with big green leaves.
The fruit of the Ulu tree, breadfruit, is a starchy carbohydrate, used in traditional Hawaiian cuisine, and is a great source of nutrition. Traditionally, breadfruit was boiled or roasted and mixed with poi.
We love spicy breadfruit fries, available in many restaurants serving Hawaiian cuisine!
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Hawaiian Trees with Flowers
Plumeria
Visited the Koko Crater Botanical Garden on Oahu in spring and summer? What a welcome from the stunning plumeria groves near the entrance, with thousands of colorful clusters of blooming flowers, from red to pink to yellow to white!
One of the main flowers used in traditional Hawaiian leis (garlands), the plumeria (also called frangipani or melia) flowers are fragrant and pretty, brought to Hawaii in the 1860s from Central America.
Hawaiian Yellow Hibiscus (State Flower of Hawaii)
Hibiscus flowers, also called aloalo or hau hele in Hawaiian, are brightly colored, large, decorative flowers found everywhere on Hawaii, and were associated with royalty and respect in ancient times.
The ma’o hau hele tree produces bright yellow hibiscus flowers, and this beautiful flower, also called Pua Aloalo, is the official state flower of Hawaii.
The ma’o hau hele tree is one of the endemic Hawaiian plants that is on the endangered list, even though it is found on most of the main islands.
The sea hibiscus or Hau, a pretty flower that changes from yellow to orange and red, and blooms year round, is found along the coastline, and was one of the original canoe plants brought to the islands by the ancient Hawaiians.
The Koki’o Ke’oke’o, an endemic Hawaiian white hibiscus, is a rare fragrant hibiscus, and we could smell its wonderful aroma on an early morning hike along the Manoa Cliff Trail on Oahu.
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Jacaranda Trees
With beautiful, trumpet-shaped, purple flowers that bloom in spring, the Jacaranda trees are a pretty sight all over Hawaii, but especially on Maui, along Kula highway or en route to the Haleakala National Park.
Flowers of Hawaii’s Ginger Plants
Ginger, cherished for its medicinal properties, and a key ingredient in many traditional Asian dishes, grows so well on the Hawaiian islands, that some species are actually considered invasive.
What you typically see in your grocery store is the knobbly edible root of the ginger plant, which can be consumed freshly grated or minced, or in paste or powder form, and imparts a sharp, spicy flavor.
Multiple species of the ginger plant are found all over Hawaii including ‘awapuhi kuahiwi, shampoo ginger, originally brought as one of the two dozen canoe plants.
We saw pretty blooms of kahili ginger, one of the 100 most invasive species, on several of our Kokee State Park hikes on Kauai, including the Awaawapuhi Trail.
Other colorful ginger flowers you are likely to see on your hikes, some quite rare and exotic, include white ginger, red ginger and torch ginger.
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Hawaiian Birds of Paradise
Not really birds like those in the Papua New Guinea forests, Hawaiian birds of paradise are pretty flowers that look like colorful birds in flight!
Due to their shape, they are also sometimes called the crane flower or crane lily.
These evergreen perennial plants grow well in Hawaii’s tropical climate and are commonly found in urban gardens for ornamental decoration.
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Coastal Hawaiian Plants
Coconut Palm (Niu)
Found all along the coastline of the Hawaiian islands, the coconut palm (niu in Hawaiian) is a fast-growing tree with dense pinnate (leaflets on a stalk) leaves, and coconut fruit.
Though one of the original canoe plants, most likely, they were already native to the islands before the advent of the ancient Hawaiians.
Almost every part of the coconut palm tree is used in native Hawaiian culture, from the food and drink in the coconut fruit to baskets and crude kitchenware from the shells, leaves and husks, to canoes and drums from the trunks.
Naupaka
Likely the most common beach plant on Hawaii, the naupaka is a tall shrub, growing up to 10 feet high, with large waxy leaves and pretty, white with purple streaks, half-flowers.
Naupaka kahakai is indigenous to Hawaii, and, interestingly, some naupaka species are also found on the mountains, but with half-flowers on the other side.
We saw abundant naupaka on beaches like the Ala Moana Beach Park on Oahu and on many of our coastal trail hikes including the Mahaulepu Heritage Trail on Kauai near Poipu.
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Hala Trees
Easily recognizable through its distinctive aerial roots that form a tuft near the ground, the hala tree is likely native to Hawaii, with the hala seeds, being light, reaching the islands after floating easily on ocean waters.
Typically found all along the coast and low foothills, the hala tree was extensively used by the native Hawaiians for construction in houses and canoes, clothing and food.
We saw a grove of pretty hala trees on our Sleeping Giant Trail hike on Kauai, right where the East and West trails meet.
Timber Trees of Hawaii
Over the years, several timber trees were introduced into the islands of Hawaii, partly for their wood, and partly for reforestation after fires to prevent soil erosion.
Mahogany
The Wai Koa Loop Trail hike on the North Shore of Kauai winds through a picturesque mahogany plantation, one of the largest in all of North America!
Mahogany is an expensive, reddish-brown hardwood used in upscale furniture.
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Cook Pine
Cook pine, narrow, tall (upto 200 feet high) pine trees, were originally planted on the Hawaiian islands by seamen in need of light, strong wood for their sail mast.
Now probably the most commonplace pine tree in Hawaii, the Cook Pine grows all over and in the wild.
We saw beautiful Cook Pine tree groves on the West Sleeping Giant Trail on Kauai and the Waihee Ridge Trail on Maui!
Rainbow Eucalyptus
Of the introduced trees on Hawaii, the rainbow eucalyptus is probably the easiest to recognize: they are very tall (upto 300 feet high) and large, with pastel hues of green, yellow, pink!
The rainbow eucalyptus grove is a popular road to Hana stop on Maui.
After our Kuilau Ridge Trail hike on Kauai, we stopped at the nearby Keahua Arboretum to admire the pretty rainbow eucalyptus groves, a must-see if you are in that neighborhood.
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Invasive Hawaiian Plants
Albizia
You’ve probably seen albizia trees, widespread on the four main Hawaiian islands and found along most rainforest trails, with a characteristic terrace-like shape that forms part of the rainforest canopy.
The albizia is one of the fastest growing trees on the islands, at a pace of about 15 feet per year, to reach heights of 150 feet.
The albizia species produce a large amount of seeds that get widely spread by winds, and is highly invasive, displacing native and endemic trees.
Miconia
Miconia was introduced to Hawaii in the 1960s as an ornamental plant, and is a fast growing plant that can reach heights of up to 50 feet.
Miconia is highly invasive with large dense leaves that block light and rainwater from reaching smaller native ferns growing on the forest floor.
Miconia is found on the islands of Maui, Kauai, and the Big Island.
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Strawberry Guava
Found on all the main Hawaiian islands, the strawberry guava is a smallish tree, roughly 30 feet tall. It was introduced into Hawaii as a food crop in the early 1800s.
The strawberry guava tree produces copious amounts of fruit, that are eaten by birds and its seeds are disseminated so successfully as to become highly invasive and to pose a serious threat to native Hawaiian plants.
You can find strawberry guava trees along many Hawaiian trails, including popular ones like the Manoa Falls trail, and the fruit, when ripe are delicious.
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