Hawaiian Name(s): olopua, pua, ulupua

Scientific Name: Nestegis sandwicensis

Vernacular Name: none

Family: Oleaceae

Status: endemic

Authority: (A.Gray) O.Deg., I.Deg. & L.A.S.Johnson

Description: Tree.

Habitat Found in dry to mesic forest between 30–1300 m on most main islands (Wagner et al. 1990:992).


Non Medicinal Uses: Durable, hard wood used for adze handles (Abbott 1992:88); as a rasp for fish hook manufacture and prized fuel because it burns hot even when green (Little and Skolmen 1989:278); house frames (Abbott 1992:67–68). Wood also as melomelo stick for fishing (Kamakau 1976:63) and as part of a tripping weapon (Krauss 1993:111). In the Ethnology Collection at Bishop Museum there is a post-contact example of the wood made into a bowl.

Specific gravity of wood: unknown

Famous Locations:


`Ōlelo Noeau:

Dye Color and Parts:

Kino lau:

Location on Bishop Museum Kalihi Campus:

Propagation Information: Native Plants Hawaii.

Seed: Fruit length approximately 14.7 mm. Photograph: H.Lennstrom.
Click for image