This palm tree is called loulu and is an endemic native, one of 19 endemic species of Pritchardia from the Hawaiian Islands. Most of these species are unique to a particular island and correct identification may require consideration of the island the tree is growing on naturally. In the case of the loulu trees at Nā Pōhaku o Hauwahine, we cannot be certain of where the seeds were gathered. This particular loulu is belived to have come from the tiny island of Nihoa, 139 miles northwest of Kaua‘i.

Loulu were once prominant members of the islands' forests. One of the native O‘ahu loulu, P. martii, is now very rare. Nā Pōhaku o Hauwahaine was one of several test sites where these palms were set out as juveniles to better understand their requirements. All five planted here have since died, succumbing to dry conditions during the summers.

Most comonly encountered as landscape plants are two non-native species of Pritchardia from elsewhere in the Pacific basin: Thurston fan palm (P. thurstonii) and Fiji fan palm (P. pacifica).