Kingdom Plantae Family Oleaceae Scientific name Nestegis sandwicensis Rank Species | Order Lamiales Genus Nestegis Higher classification Nestegis | |
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Similar Nestegis, Diospyros sandwicensis, Myrsine lessertiana, Pouteria sandwicensis, Oleaceae | ||
Nestegis sandwicensis, commonly known as Hawai'i olive' or olopua, is a species of flowering tree in the olive family, Oleaceae, that is endemic to Hawaii. It is found on all major islands at elevations of 30–1,300 m (98–4,265 ft) in coastal mesic and mixed mesic forests, and, especially, dry forests. It usually reaches a height of 6 m (20 ft) with a trunk diameter of 0.2 m (0.66 ft), but may reach 20 m (66 ft) in height with a trunk diameter of 0.9 m (3.0 ft).
Uses
Native Hawaiians used the hard wood of olopua to make ʻau koʻi (adze handles), apuapu (rasps for making fish hooks), ʻōʻō (digging sticks), lāʻau melomelo (fishing lures), pou (house posts), pāhoa (daggers), pīkoi (tripping weapons similar to a rope dart), and spears. Because the wood burned well even if green, it was used as wahie (firewood).
