Coastal plants
Tough, beautiful plants that thrive where land meets the Pacific.
The littoral fringe ecosystem is as much a part of Hawaiʻi's shorelines as our famous beaches. These salt-tolerant native plants stabilize the coast against waves and storms, provide habitat for native birds and insects, and once dominated the original Waikīkī shoreline before development. Many were brought to Hawaiʻi by the first Polynesian voyagers and remain culturally significant today.
12 species you'll meet.
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EndangeredʻŌhai
An endangered native shrub with stunning orange-red pea-like flowers and silvery foliage.
Beach shrubNaupaka kahakai
A wave-tough beach shrub with distinctive "half-flowers."
State flowerMaʻo hau hele
The bright yellow Hawaiian hibiscus — official state flower of Hawaiʻi.
CulturalHala
The Hawaiian screwpine, instantly recognizable by its aerial prop roots and pineapple-like fruit.
Beach vinePōhuehue
Beach morning glory — a sprawling vine that anchors loose sand with runners up to 100 feet long.
Native palmLoulu hiwa
A native Hawaiian fan palm, once abundant across the islands.
EndemicʻAweoweo
An endemic shrub with grey-green leaves, named after a reef fish that turns the same red as its mature stems.
Beach pioneerNohu
Bright yellow flowers on a low, spreading shoreline plant — with notoriously spiny burs.
Coastal shrubʻĀkia
A coastal shrub with small yellow flowers and bright red berries.
Canoe plantKalo
Taro — the most important food plant in Hawaiian culture, source of poi and cultural foundation.
Canoe plantNiu
Coconut palm — a complete toolkit brought by the first Polynesian voyagers.
Island flowerʻIlima
Delicate golden-yellow papery flowers — the official island flower of Oʻahu.