(Educational Media Center)

Naio , Myoporum sandwicense A. Gray, is found occasionally in wet forests, but forms almost pure stands in dryer areas, or a stand of half naio and half mamane in the driest habitat. The mamane-naio forest on the central plateau of the Big Island is the prime habitat of the Palila, an endangered native bird. On Oahu, a unique variety of naio covered with short dense brown hairs grows on the Ewa Coral plains at Barber's Point, while a more common variety grows as a shrub on the slopes of Kaena point. It is a member of the family Myoporaceae.

The dark green leaves of the naio are usually narrow, pointed and somewhat thickened. Flowers with white or sometimes pink petals are conspicuous, but with a strong turpentine taste. The naio bark is dark gray, nearly black, and deeply grooved. Naio wood is very hard and durable, and was used by the early Hawaiians to build log frames for their thatched houses. It is also know as the false sandalwood, since the wood's spicy-odored oil resembles the smell of the true sandalwood. Naio was even sold as a substitute for sandalwood for a time when `iliahi became scarce due to overcutting. The long burning wood was also used for torches for night fishing.