Akia

Aki'a or Wikstroemia-Uva-Ursi is an endemic shrub.

The sprawling Aki'a is a shrub found in the arid lowlands. It grows up to 4 feet tall and has oval pale green leaves that arrange opposite along the stem. The small tubular flowers are yellow to greenish-yellow and the berries are a bright red.

'Akia requires full sun and can tolerate salt, drought and wind. It grows best in coastal or hot lowlands. The 'akia has deep roots that are good for planting on a slope to stabilize the soil. It makes a good plant for a xeriscape..

The female Aki'a has red berries and the male Aki'a has yellow flowers.

Early Hawaiians used the wood of 'akia for carrying sticks. The leaves, branches and berries were beaten and used to stupify fish. This toxic plant was mixed with other plants as a medicine for various ailments.