The `Uki `uki is a perennial herb that forms clumps of stems. It is a type of lily where the stems are under the ground with slender surface leaves that are long and green. The leaves have a waxy surface that make them shine. The flowers are a light shade of purple and produce blue-violet berries about the size of a blueberry. It grows on lava, dry shrub land as well as lightly shaded places and wet forest in high elevations.

Ancient Hawaiins braided the long slender leaves for cordage. It was used for example in thatching their houses. The berries were squeezed for a purple dye and were also used in making lei.