OHELO PAPA OR WHITE STRAWBERRY
Fragaria chiloensis—Rose Family (Rosaceae)

The white strawberry is a common plant in Kipuka Puaulu and other moist forests throughout the Kilauea section, and in a zone around certain parts of Haleakala. Many of you will recognize the flowers and leaves. The fruits are small and whitish and vary in flavor in different localities. According to Hillebrand the fruit was favored by both the Hawaiian people and the nene or Hawaiian goose, which is now near extinction.

Seeds of the white strawberry may have first reached the Hawaiian Islands attached to the plumage or in the digestive tracts of birds.

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HINAHINA OR SILVER GERANIUM
Geranium sp.—Geranium Family (Geraniaceae)

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On Haleakala you will see a common road and trailside plant with leaves which are silver in color due to the presence of many small hairs. There are several kinds of silver geraniums on the islands of Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii. They are found at high elevations, and are shrubs except for one kind which may grow to 10 or more feet high. With the exception of one species which has a red flower, the hinahina have white, star-shaped flowers, often with purplish markings.

The silver-colored hairs apparently reflect the rays of the sun, and limit the amount of evaporation through the leaves. Several species are dying out now and face possible extermination, outside of the park—on cattle ranges in particular.

AALII
Dodonaea viscosa—Soapberry Family (Sapindaceae)

One of the most common shrubs in the Kilauea-Mauna Loa section of the park is the aalii, "of the royalty." Clusters of what you may think are bright red or yellow flowers will be seen on the aalii. When you look closer, you will see these are seed-bearing capsules, or fruits. Most of these capsules have three "wings" although some have two and others four. The wood of this erect shrub is extremely hard, and the Hawaiians used it for making weapons and implements. The capsules were steeped in calabashes by dropping hot stones in with them, and a red juice extracted which was used as a dye for tapa cloth and other articles.

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AKIA
Wikstroemia sandwicensis—Mezereum Family (Thymelaeaceae)

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The description of this plant should be carefully noted, since the akia is extremely poisonous if eaten by humans. The fruit is similar in color and size to the edible ohelo berries, except for the presence of a single seed in the akia (see photograph) and many small seeds in the ohelo. There are numerous small branches on the akia, which usually is a shrub or small tree. The leaves are smooth on the edges, and the bark is tough. Flowers are at the end of the branches—small, yellow, and inconspicuous. The Hawaiians used the akia bark, leaves, and roots to make a fish poison and a drink used to execute condemned prisoners and for suicide.