'Akala - Rubus hawaiiensis

A close relative of the blackberry, the 'akala is a medium-sized, upland shrub that may grow up to a height of 12 feet. Unlike the blackberry, the 'akala has reduced thorns that provide no protection from browsing animals. The fruit are salmon pink to red and are very large. Although they can be eaten, they usually have a tart, rather than sweet, flavor and are best saved for the Hawaiian forest birds that have limited food sources. Traditionally, Hawaiians used the flower and fruit to make a pink dye and the stem to make bark cloth.