Scientific Name: Caesalpinia kavaiense
Endangered, Endemic: Kauai, Oahu, Lanai, Maui and Hawaii
Description: Large shrubs or trees up to 30 feet tall with light green pinnate leaves, grayish colored bark and strikingly beautiful red flowers.
Distribution: Extremely rare, this plant is now listed as an endangered species as is found in very limited numbers in the dry forest on Kaua’i, in the Wai’anae Mountains on O’ahu, Lana’i, West Maui and North Kona on the island of Hawai’i.
Cultural Uses: The very hardwood (comparable to kauila and mehamehame) was used as house posts, for spears, holua sleds and ‘o’o while the flowers were strung into lei.
Landscape Uses and Care: Full sun and well drained soil is best for this plant to thrive. Very little if any water is needed once this plant is established. Watch out for twig borers which slowly kill the tree limb by limb. You’ll notice it from tiny pin holes with black mold around it spewing out a gel like sap. Cut the infected areas off and treat the plant with a systemic pesticide.
Extra Info: The hale pili inside of Bishop Museum came from Miloli’i and has posts made of ‘Uhi’uhi.
Uhiuhi