Ohia
ʻŌhiʻa (Metrosideros polymorpha) is a keystone native hardwood found in many of Hawaiʻi’s upland and volcanic landscapes. Revered for its cultural importance and role in native forests, it supports unique ecosystems.
The wood is dense, strong, and resistant to rot, historically used for house posts, kapa beaters, and canoes. However, large-scale commercial harvest is restricted by conservation concerns, especially amid threats like Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death. Harvesting of ʻŌhiʻa primarily comes from salvage operations in non-native areas or permitted forest management zones. Although some logs end up milled for rustic construction or art pieces, much of Hawaiʻi’s forestry approach focuses on protecting existing stands of this ecologically critical species.