‘Ākia is the Hawaiian name applied to a genus of native shrubs classified by botanists as Wikstroemia species. As far as we know, "‘ākia" is applied to all of the eleven native Wikstroemia found in Hawai‘i. All are endemic; that is, found naturally nowhere else in the world. Most are restricted in their distribution to a single island, but this one, W. uvi-ursi, is found on all of the major islands except Hawai‘i Island.

Wikstroemia uvi-ursi is typically a low-growing or sprawling shrub generally rare in nature but has become a popular ornamental, regularly seen in landscaping.

Some ‘ākia furnish very strong fibers that were used in making ropes and even kapa (cloth). The plants have medicinal qualities, and were used in ancient times as a laxative or to treat asthma. Some species may be poisonous and used to stun fish.