Maʻo held significant cultural importance in early Hawaiian society, where it was valued for many uses: its leaves produced green and red-brown dyes for kapa, its petals yielded yellow dye [1], its fl..
more »Maʻo held significant cultural importance in early Hawaiian society, where it was valued for many uses: its leaves produced green and red-brown dyes for kapa, its petals yielded yellow dye [1], its flowers were dried for food [2], and its blossoms were used in lei [3]. Medicinally, maʻo fibers, flowers, and bark were used to treat stomach ailments and assist during childbirth [2], while its fibers also served practical purposes such as stuffing pillows [4]. In modern times, maʻo has gained importance beyond cultural traditions for its role in agriculture, particularly in strengthening the global cotton industry through hybridization that increases pest resistance, heat tolerance, and unique fiber traits. Although native maʻo populations have declined, conservation and restoration efforts—such as those on Oʻahu—demonstrate its resilience and highlight the continued cultural, ecological, and economic value of preserving Hawaiʻi’s native flora [5].
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