 Apapane nests are often on the terminal branch of "ōhia" ("Metrosideros polymorpha"); nests have been found in tree cavities and lava tubes as well as in the top of "koa" ("Acacia koa"), "kāwau" ("Ilex anomala") and "hapuu" ("Cibotium" tree ferns).The female lays 1-4 eggs and incubates for 13 days.Interestingly, during incubation the male does not visit the nest but will feed the female when she is away from the nest.