lapa, Lapalapa or Common cheirodendronAraliaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian IslandsMt. Kaala, OahuEarly Hawaiians used the fruit, leaves and bark of lapa to produce a bluish-black dye.Medicinally, the inner bark was mixed with other plants and used for ph (abscess, burst sore, ulcer), pala (infected boil), and aai inoino (spreading sore, infection or cancer).The bark was also used for scenting kapa (tapa), which can have an unpleasant odor. Specifically, lapa bark and kpaoa (Dubautia spp.) was used to scent mmaki kapa.
