In 2026, botanists confirmed something remarkable: five plant species on Lānaʻi, feared extinct on that island for decades, had been rediscovered. On Oʻahu, a species of haʻiwale turned up for the first time since 1943. On the Big Island, two critically rare plants—ʻoha wai and makou—were found when only one individual of one and none of the other were known to remain in the wild. These weren’t just botanical footnotes. They were living evidence that Hawaiian plant knowledge, built over centuries of observation and use, still has something to teach us. What that knowledge looks like, how it works, and why it matters far beyond the islands is the question this guide digs into—for curious travelers, gardeners, and anyone who thinks of plants as more than scenery.
“Lāʻau lapaʻau is traditional Hawaiian plant medicine rooted in ʻike kupuna (ancestral knowledge), pule (prayer), and oli (chant). Healing is a sacred relationship with land, ancestors, and spirit.” — Support Local Hawaii, 2025
Native plants are indeed the heart of Hawaiian healing, but that heart beats through a practice called lāʻau lapaʻau—a spiritual system, not simply a collection of herbal remedies. It weaves together prayer, protocol, and stewardship of the land. The same plants that heal also tell stories of voyaging, adaptation, and survival. And right now, many of them are fighting for their existence.
Before we dive into the plants themselves, here’s a quick-reference look at five of the most significant healing plants in Hawaiian tradition. Each has a different origin story and a different role in lāʻau lapaʻau.
| Plant | Origin | Part Used | Traditional Use | Status Today |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Noni (Morinda citrifolia) | Canoe plant (brought by Polynesians) | Fruit | Tonic for gastrointestinal ailments, fever, joint pain | Commonly cultivated; widely available |
| Kī (ti leaf, Cordyline fruticosa) | Canoe plant | Leaves, root | Fever reduction (lying on cool leaves); tea from root; spiritual protection | Grown in many yards; still used in ceremonies |
| ʻAwa (kava, Piper methysticum) | Canoe plant | Root | Calming anxiety, stress, muscle relaxation; ceremonial drink | ~13 Hawaiian varieties; popular as social drink |
| ʻŌlena (turmeric, Curcuma domestica) | Canoe plant | Rhizome | Sinus ailments, inflammation; dye for kapa cloth | Grown in gardens; used in teas and salves |
| Māmaki (Pipturus albidus) | Endemic to Hawaiʻi | Leaves, bark, fruit | Tea for blood pressure, cholesterol; salve for cuts | Threatened; cultivated for tea market |
Note: “Canoe plant” means a species brought to Hawaiʻi by Polynesian voyagers. “Endemic” means found nowhere else on Earth. All five are considered native in the broad sense (present before Western contact).
What Is Lāʻau Lapaʻau? Healing Rooted in Relationship
Lāʻau lapaʻau is not something you can buy in a bottle. It’s a practice passed down through oral tradition and spiritual training, performed by kumu or kahuna lāʻau lapaʻau. Remedies are prepared with intention—through prayer (pule), chant (oli), and careful stewardship of the plant and its environment. The word lāʻau itself means both “plant” and “medicine,” and lapaʻau implies treatment or healing. Together, they describe a system where the plant’s physical properties and its spiritual energy are inseparable.
During the Hawaiian cultural renaissance of the 1970s, lāʻau lapaʻau began to re-emerge after decades of suppression. Today, places like Maʻiola Services at the Waimānalo Health Center offer integrated care that blends lāʻau lapaʻau, lomilomi massage, hoʻoponopono (conflict resolution), and Western medicine. In 2025, AlohaCare began covering lomilomi massage—a sign that indigenous healing is gaining recognition within mainstream healthcare. Yet many practitioners still emphasize that this is a sacred relationship, not a commodity. You don’t just take a plant; you ask permission, you give thanks, and you give back.
A common outsider misconception is that lāʻau lapaʻau is simply “Hawaiian herbalism.” In fact, the spiritual dimension—prayer, protocol, and the belief that plants carry mana (spiritual power)—is as important as the biochemical effect. Reducing it to a list of medicinal herbs misses the point entirely.
The Plants That Heal: Profiles in Practice
Each medicinal plant in the Hawaiian pharmacopoeia has a specific role, often tied to a specific moʻolelo (story) or ritual context. Here’s a closer look at three that illustrate the range of lāʻau lapaʻau.
ʻAwa (Kava) — The Ceremonial Calm
ʻAwa has been used across the South Pacific for millennia. In Hawaiʻi, around 13 unique varieties exist, with strains like Mahakea and Moʻi considered sacred and restricted to royalty (Aliʻi) in pre-colonial times. The Hiwa variety was offered to hula deities for knowledge and inspiration. The root is ground and strained into a juice that produces a calming, relaxing effect without intoxication. Traditionally used to treat anxiety, stress, and muscle tension, ʻawa has recently become popular as a social drink—though the ceremonial context is often lost in commercial settings. Some practitioners warn that over-harvesting and commercialization threaten the integrity of the practice and the genetic diversity of the plant.
ʻŌlena (Turmeric) — The Yellow Healer
ʻŌlena belongs to the ginger family and grows best in rainy jungles and forests. Its bright goldenrod rhizome is used as a juice base to treat sinus ailments and inflammation. The name comes from the Hawaiian word for yellow (lena), and it has long been used as a dye for traditional kapa cloth. In lāʻau lapaʻau, ʻōlena is also applied in salves for skin irritations and ear infections. Because it stains everything it touches, gathering and preparing ʻōlena is a messy, tactile experience—one that reinforces the idea that medicine is something you work with, not just consume.
Māmaki — The Endemic Energizer
Unlike the canoe plants, māmaki is indigenous to Hawaiʻi—found nowhere else on Earth. It belongs to the nettle family but lacks stinging hairs. In traditional practice, the leaves are dried and processed into a tea believed to lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, and cleanse toxins from the blood. The bark was used for cordage, and the small fruit was made into a salve for cuts. Māmaki has seen a resurgence in popularity as a caffeine-free tea, but wild populations remain threatened by hoofed animals and competition from invasive species. Cultivation efforts are underway, but the plant’s specific habitat requirements make large-scale farming challenging.
If you want to try māmaki tea, look for brands that source from sustainable, community-run farms—such as those associated with the Hawaiʻi Māmaki Tea Cooperative. Avoid wild-harvested products, as many native populations are already stressed.
Conservation and Rediscovery: Why It Matters Now
The 2025–2026 reports from the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife and the Plant Extinction Prevention Program (PEPP) reveal a paradox: even as new species are discovered, many native plants hover at the edge of extinction. The five new species found on Kauaʻi—including the delicate shrub Lysimachia barcae with fewer than a dozen known individuals—were discovered during remote drone-assisted surveys. At the same time, the coconut rhinoceros beetle is decimating multiple species of loulu (native fan palms), and feral hoofed animals continue to trample and browse rare plants.
Rediscoveries like the haʻiwale on Oʻahu and the two critically rare species on the Big Island offer hope, but they also underscore how little we still know. Matt Keir, a DLNR botanist, noted that each rediscovery “expands our knowledge of Hawaiian plants”—knowledge that lāʻau lapaʻau practitioners have held for generations, sometimes in oral traditions that Western science is only now catching up to.
The use of drones for remote monitoring and specimen collection is a new tool, but it’s not a replacement for the kind of intimate, place-based knowledge that lāʻau lapaʻau represents. The tension between high-tech conservation and traditional stewardship is an ongoing debate—one that doesn’t have a clean resolution.
Context & Comparison: Native vs. Canoe Plants
A key distinction in Hawaiian plant culture is between native species (present before humans) and canoe plants (intentionally brought by Polynesian voyagers). Both are considered ʻāina (land) in the broad sense, but they carry different histories and different levels of cultural intimacy. The table below compares several examples.
| Category | Example | Origin | Primary Cultural Use | Medicinal Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Endemic native | Māmaki | Evolved in Hawaiʻi | Tea, cordage, salve | Blood pressure, immunity |
| Indigenous native (also found elsewhere) | Naupaka | Arrived naturally (wind/ocean/birds) | Lei-making, sunburn relief | Topical pain reduction |
| Canoe plant | Kukui (candlenut) | Polynesian introduction | Light, oil, lei, medicine | Laxative, skin applications |
| Canoe plant | Noni | Polynesian introduction | Fruit as tonic | Digestive aid, fever |
| Endemic native (critically rare) | Lysimachia barcae | Evolved on Kauaʻi | No known traditional use (recently discovered) | Unknown |
This comparison matters because it reveals different layers of relationship. Canoe plants were chosen, carried, and cared for across the Pacific. Endemic plants were adapted to and learned from over centuries. Both types are now threatened, but the canoe plants often have a head start in cultivation because they were already managed by people.
The distinction between native and canoe plant is not always crisp. The hala tree (Pandanus), for example, may be native or a Polynesian introduction—taxonomists and ethnobotanists are still debating it, as noted by Norman Bezona, professor emeritus at the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.
- Lāʻau lapaʻau is a spiritual practice, not just herbal medicine—prayer and protocol are integral.
- Canoe plants and endemic plants carry different histories, but both are central to Hawaiian healing.
- Many native plants are critically endangered; conservation efforts are urgent and ongoing.
- Engaging with lāʻau lapaʻau means learning the stories, not just the recipes.
How to Engage with Lāʻau Lapaʻau Respectfully
If you’re curious about native plants and Hawaiian healing, there are meaningful ways to learn without appropriating or damaging the living resources. Here’s a sequence that moves from learning to doing, grounded in the principle of kuleana (responsibility).
Organizations like Papahana Kuaola on Oʻahu or the Kōkeʻe Natural History Museum on Kauaʻi offer hands-on sessions where you learn from kumu (teachers) who carry the oral tradition. These are not tourist performances—they are educational exchanges. Find a cultural tour that includes native plant knowledge.
Limahuli Garden (Kauaʻi) and Lyon Arboretum (Oʻahu) are living classrooms. You’ll see canoe plants and endemic species in their growing contexts. Stick to marked paths—picking is prohibited and culturally insensitive.
If you live in a suitable climate, consider cultivating māmaki or ʻōlena from a reputable nursery. Learn the moʻolelo (stories) associated with each plant. Never collect from the wild unless you are part of a managed conservation effort.
Maʻiola Services at Waimānalo Health Center provides culturally based care. Even if you’re not a patient, reading their resources or donating supports the revival of lāʻau lapaʻau within a modern framework.
A quick heads up — some links here are affiliate links. If you buy through them, it costs you nothing extra but earns IslandHopperGuides a small commission. Honestly, that’s a big part of what funds the travel and research that goes into guides like this one. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases — and I really do appreciate the support.
When visiting any natural area in Hawaiʻi, follow the principle of “look, don’t touch.” Never pick native plants or flowers, remove rocks or soil, or move plants between islands. This isn’t just about legality—it’s about respecting the mana of the land.
Questions Readers Ask
Can I pick ʻawa or noni if I see it growing wild?
No. Even if a plant appears abundant, wild populations are often stressed. Gathering without permission from the landowner or a cultural practitioner is considered disrespectful and may be illegal. Always buy from cultivated sources.
Is kava safe to drink? I’ve heard mixed things.
Traditional ʻawa prepared from the root in water is generally considered safe in moderate amounts. Liver toxicity concerns are associated with commercial extracts using alcohol or acetone—not the traditional water-based preparation. Stick to reputable Hawaiian growers and avoid “instant” kava products.
Where can I see native plants in the wild?
Kōkeʻe State Park (Kauaʻi), Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (Big Island), and the Lyon Arboretum (Oʻahu) all have accessible trails and interpretive signs. The DLNR Rare Plant Program also publishes guides to public preserves.
Is lāʻau lapaʻau the same as “Hawaiian medicine”?
Broadly, yes, but the term emphasizes the spiritual and relational aspects. Many practitioners prefer “lāʻau lapaʻau” because it avoids reducing the practice to a Western category like “herbal medicine.” The difference is not just semantic—it reflects a fundamentally different worldview.
Can I learn lāʻau lapaʻau as a visitor?
You can learn about it, but becoming a practitioner requires years of training and a commitment to Hawaiian language, protocol, and community. The best approach is to support the practitioners and organizations that are already doing the work, rather than attempting to practice it yourself without proper guidance.
The Future of Hawaiian Plant Medicine
The rediscoveries of 2025–2026 are a reminder that lāʻau lapaʻau is not a relic—it’s a living, evolving relationship between people and plants. Each new species found, each old practice revived, expands the possibility of healing. But that possibility depends on conservation, cultural continuity, and the willingness of visitors to approach with humility rather than consumption. The plants themselves are the teachers; the best we can do is listen, protect, and pass on what we learn. For a deeper look at how Hawaiian culture integrates land stewardship, read our guide on respecting the cultural significance of Hawaiian land.
Sources and further reading
DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife Rare Plant Program. “Rare Plant Program 2025 Island Highlights.” 2026. 🔗
Big Island Pulse. “5 Medicinal Hawaiian Plants.” 2025. 🔗
Support Local Hawaii. “Hawaiian Plant Medicine.” 2025. 🔗
Hawaii.com. “Discover the Beauty and Meaning of Native Hawaiian Plants.” 2025. 🔗
Related reading on IslandHopperGuides
Hawaiian Healing Arts: Lāʻau Lapaʻau and Restoring Balance — A deeper dive into the spiritual dimensions of traditional Hawaiian healing.
Navigating with the Stars: Polynesian Wayfinding and Its Relevance Today — How voyaging knowledge connects to the plants that traveled across the Pacific.
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