Hawaiian hibiscus are seven species of hibiscus native to Hawaii. The yellow hibiscus is Hawaii's state flower. Most commonly grown as ornamental plants in the Hawaiian Islands are the non-native Chinese hibiscus and its numerous hybrids, though the native Hibiscus arnottianus is occasionally planted.
The Hawaiian lobelioids are a group of flowering plants in the bellflower family, Campanulaceae, subfamily Lobelioideae, all of which are endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. This is the largest plant radiation in the Hawaiian Islands, and indeed the largest on any island archipelago, with over 125 species. The six genera involved can be broadly separated based on growth habit: Clermontia are typically branched shrubs or small trees, up to 7 metres (23 ft) tall, with fleshy fruits; Cyanea and Delissea are typically unbranched or branching only at the base, with a cluster of relatively broad leaves at the apex and fleshy fruits; Lobelia and Trematolobelia have long thin leaves down a single, non-woody stem and capsular fruits with wind-dispersed seeds; and the peculiar Brighamia have a short, thick stem with a dense cluster of broad leaves, elongate white flowers, and capsular fruits. The relationships among the genera and sections remains unsettled as of April 2022.
Hibiscadelphus distans is an extremely rare species of flowering plant in the mallow family, Malvaceae, that is endemic to the island of Kauaʻi in Hawaii. It is known as hau kuahiwi in Hawaiian, which means "upland Hibiscus tiliaceus." It is a bush or small tree with heart-shaped leaves and yellow flowers and grows at between 1,000 and 1,800 feet in the remnants of native dry forests. Despite its rarity, it is believed to be the only surviving species in the genus Hibiscadelphus which is only known from Hawaii, the other five species having recently become extinct in the wild, some being known from only a single plant.
The Kauaʻi cave wolf spider, also known to local residents as the blind spider, is only known to occur in a few caves in a lava flow with an area of 10.5 km2 (4.1 sq mi) in the Kōloa–Poʻipū region of Kauaʻi, Hawaiian Islands, and only six populations are known to exist. While their nearest surface-dwelling relatives have large eyes, this species has completely lost its eyes. They reach a body length around 20 mm (0.8 in), and are reddish brown and completely harmless to people. Unlike most wolf spiders, it produces only 15 to 30 eggs per clutch. The female carries the egg sac in her mouthparts until the spiderlings hatch.
The Alakaʻi Wilderness Preserve, popularly known as Alakaʻi Swamp, is a montane wet forest on the Hawaiian island of Kauaʻi. Although the preserve is home to alpine bogs, it is not a true swamp. It is located on a plateau near Mount Waiʻaleʻale, one of the wettest spots on Earth. Due to its unique combination of high elevation and climate, the Alakaʻi Swamp harbors a large number of endangered endemic species that are only found in this area and whose population has been dramatically declining over the last decades. It is designated as a IUCN protected area.
The Kauai ʻakialoa was a Hawaiian honeycreeper in the subfamily Carduelinae of the family Fringillidae. It was endemic to the island of Kauai, Hawaii. It became extinct in the 20th century due to introduced avian disease and habitat loss. The Kauai ʻakialoa was about seven and a half inches in length and had a very long downcurved bill, which covered one third of its length. The adult males were bright olive-yellow on top and yellow on the bottom. The throat, breast, and sides of the body were olive-yellow. The females, however, were green-gray above and had a shorter bill.
Melicope haupuensis is a species of tree in the family Rutaceae known by the common names Haupa Mountain melicope and Pacific pelea. It is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, where it is known only from the island of Kauai. It is threatened by habitat loss. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States. Like other Hawaiian Melicope, this species is known as alani.
Melicope puberula, the hairy melicope, is a species of plant in the family Rutaceae. It is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. Like other Hawaiian Melicope, this species is known as alani. In 2010 it was added to the endangered species list of the United States.
Myrsine knudsenii, the Kokee colicwood, is a species of tree in the primrose family. It is endemic to the island of Kauai in Hawaii. It is threatened by habitat loss.
Cyanea dolichopoda was a species of shrub in the bellflower family that was endemic to Kauai. It was discovered in 1990 and has not been located in the wild since 1992. Like other Cyanea it is known as haha in Hawaiian.
Cyanea eleeleensis was a rare species of flowering plant in the bellflower family known by the common name Eleele cyanea. It was endemic to Kauai, where it has been declared extinct. It was federally listed as a critically endangered species of the United States in 2010. Like other Cyanea it is known as haha in Hawaiian.
Cyanea kolekoleensis is a rare species of flowering plant in the bellflower family known by the common names `Oha and Kolekole cyanea. It is endemic to Kauai where it has only been seen in the Wahiawa Mountains. Like other Cyanea it is known as haha in Hawaiian.
Cyanea undulata is a rare species of flowering plant in the bellflower family known by the common names wavy cyanea and leechleaf cyanea. It is endemic to the island of Kauai, where it is in rapid decline. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States. Like other Cyanea it is known as haha in Hawaiian.
Dubautia kenwoodii, the Kalalau rim dubautia, is an "extremely rare" species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is endemic to Hawaii where it is known only from the island of Kauai. Only one plant has ever been seen: the type specimen. A part of this plant was collected in 1991 and the individual was described as a new species in 1998. It was federally listed as an endangered species of the United States in 2010. Like other Dubautia this plant is known as na`ena`e.
Isodendrion longifolium is a rare species of flowering plant in the violet family known by the common names longleaf isodendrion and aupaka. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is known from fewer than 1000 individuals on the islands of Kauai and Oahu. It is a federally listed threatened species of the United States.
Lysimachia venosa is a rare species of flowering plant in the family Primulaceae known by the common name veined yellow loosestrife. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is known only from the island of Kauai. The plant was only collected twice, last in 1911, but in 1991, a branch was discovered that had broken off the steep cliffs above the headwaters of the Wailua River. The branch was from a plant of this species and may have fallen from the summit of Mount Waialeale. No more specimens have been found since and the plant may be extinct, but some experts believe it may still exist in unsurveyed parts of the habitat. It was federally listed as an endangered species of the United States in 2010.
Phyllostegia waimeae is a rare species of flowering plant in the mint family known by the common name Kauai phyllostegia. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is limited to the island of Kauai. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.
Plantago princeps is a rare species of flowering plant in the plantain family known by the common name ale. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is known from the islands of Hawaii, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, and Maui. Like other Hawaiian Plantago, it is known as kuahiwi laukahi, or laukahi kuahiwi. It is a federally listed endangered species of the United States.
Schiedea attenuata is a rare species of flowering plant in the family Caryophyllaceae known by the common name Kalalau schiedea. It is endemic to Hawaii, where it is known only from the Kalalau Valley on the island of Kauai. It is threatened by the degradation of its habitat. It was federally listed as an endangered species of the United States in 2010.
Delissea kauaiensis is a critically endangered species of the bellflower family. It is found on Mt. Ha'upu near Hanapepe Falls, and Mahanaloa. It was thought to be extinct, but 10 individuals were found in 2016. It is known as ‘Oha in Hawaiian, and has the English common names of Kauaʻi delissea, KauaʻI leechleaf delissea, and Leechleaf delissea.
