Thespesia populnea

Milo is native to the eastern tropics where it is found growing in coastal areas.  It is a very good shade tree along the seashore and was planted by the early Hawaiians for such.  The milos along with the kou were the favored shade trees for coastal areas.  The beautifully grained reddish wood was used extensively for poi calabashes.  In areas where this tree is found the young leaves are eaten by some people as a vegetable.  Tannin, dyes, medicine, oil, and gum are also obtained from this tree.  The Polynesians probably introduced the milo here.  Its flowers are hibiscus like- yellow with dark throats, changing to peach and maroon as they age.  They do not open as wide as the hau flowers.