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ʻŌhiʻa hā or Hā Myrtaceae Endemic to the Hawaiian Islands Kalauao Trail, Oʻahu   The wood was used in canoe construction, for fuel and house construction. The bark produce a black dye for kapa (tapa).  Apparently before Western contact the leaves were brewed as a tea to lift the spirits.  ʻŌhiʻa hā is a close relative of the mountain apple (ʻohiʻa ʻai). The small fruit of ʻōhiʻa hā are edible but often bland, even bitter, to slightly sweet.  nativeplants.hawaii.edu