Only a few species of grasses are native to the Hawaiian Islands and most are uncommon at best. ‘Aki‘aki is most often seen growing on sandy dunes close to the sea and can be abundant in that environment.

Although this grass grows at Nā Pōhaku o Hauwahine far from the beach, growth is not so vigorous and the plants here have never been observed to flower; so we spread it around by rooted cuttings. Unlike pili, a bunching grass, ‘aki‘aki is a spreading grass, although not suitable for use as a lawn grass.

‘Aki‘aki and the other native grasses at Nā Pōhaku o Hauwahine illustrate a problem in maintaining sun-loving plants. Our planting efforts are gradually expanding a native forest. Plants like ‘aki‘aki, which require full sun to survive, disappear in the shade of the trees and must be encouraged to move into open areas where competition from non-native herbaceous plants can make it impossible for the natives to establish.