Hibiscadelphus giffardianus (Kilauea hau kuahiwi) is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family Malvaceae that is endemic to the Big Island of Hawaii.
H. giffardianus is a small tree, reaching a height of 7m (23feet) and trunk diameter of 30cm (10inches).[1]
It is sometimes believed to be extinct in the wild, with any remaining plants being threatened by habitat loss. Cultivated plants exist in Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and certain captive-grown individuals have been replanted at the original site.
It inhabits mixed mesic forests on the slopes of Mauna Loa at elevations of 1200-. Associated plants include (Metrosideros polymorpha), (Acacia koa), (Sapindus saponaria), (Diplazium sandwicianum), (Coprosma spp.), (Pipturus albidus), (Psychotria spp.), (Nestegis sandwicensis), (Melicope spp.), (Dodonaea viscosa), and (Myoporum sandwicense).