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ʻAkiahala or ʻakiohala Indigenous to the Hawaiian Islands Oʻahu (Cultivated)  The "Swiss cheese" holes on some of the leaves is likely due to the Chinese rose beetle (Adoretus sinicus), a pest that feeds on this native species as well as Maʻo hau hele (Hibiscus brackenridgei).  Early Hawaiians used these flowers medicinally. The bases of the buds of hau hele (H. arnottianus, H. furcellatus) were chewed by the mother and given to infants as a laxative. Too, children would chew and swallow seeds for general weakness of the body.  NPH 00008 www.nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Hibiscus_furcellatus