This shrub is called ulei and is in the rose family (Rosaceae). Ulei is an indigenous shrub that tends to lay prostrate, although can get tall. Ulei is more often found at a little higher elevations on O‘ahu—not rare but, unless you do a bit of hiking, you may not have encountered it before. The flowers are small and white; the fruit a small white to purplish globe.

The Hawaiians used the hard wood of ulei for making ‘o‘o (digging sticks) and fishing spears. Flexible branches were formed into a hoop for fish nets.