ʻAhakea Rubiaceae Hawaiian endemic genus Status: Vulnerable Oʻahu (Cultivated)

Early Hawaiians had many uses for ʻahakea. It was used for canoe (waʻa) construction, the hard yellowish or reddish wood of ʻahakea was the most favorite wood for making gunwales strakes (moʻo), the forward end piece (lāʻau ihu), and the aft piece (lāʻau hope). Canoe paddles were also made from ʻahakea wood. It was also the preferred to frame hale (house) doorways and door frames (lapauila) because the reddish or yellowish colored wood was a chiefly color. Poi boards (papa kuʻi poi) were made from ʻahakea because its close grained wood.