Hau hele wai (‘Akiohala) (Hibiscus furcellatus)

Photo courtesy of MNBG

Hawaiian name: Hau hele wai (‘Akiohala)
Botanical name: Sabdariffa furcellata (formerly Hibiscus furcellatus)
Family: Malvaceae (Mallow Family)
Status: Indigenous
Where found: Maui, Hawai‘i, O‘ahu & Kaua‘i
Water/Light: Moist to wet, with full sun exposure
Elevation range: 270 to 720 feet
Height: 3 to 8 feet, with an up to 8 foot spread

Hau hele wai was formerly the only indigenous species of Hibiscus in Hawai‘i (the others being endemic). However, it and the endangered Hawaiʻi state flower, maʻo hau hele (Sabdariffa brackenridgei) have both been determined to be in a related but different genus. Hau hele wai can be grown along water features or even with its roots submerged in water. The prickly hairs present along the stem are either absent or diminished on plants outside of Hawaiʻi. Flower colors range from light-magenta to purple, with deeper shades at the flower's base. Back then in Hawai‘i, hau hele wai was cultivated near homes. The bases of the flower buds were chewed by mothers and given to infants as a laxative. Children would also chew and swallow the seeds to ease general weakness of the body.