Common Names:
Koki'o Ke'oke'o
Hau Hele
Hawaiian White Hibiscus
Koki'o Kea
O'ahu White Hibiscus
Pamakani

Classification:

Hibiscus arnottianus A. Gray ssp. immaculatus (Roe) D. Bates
Kingdom: Plantae-Plants
Subkingdom: Tracheobionta-Vascular plants
Superdivision: Spermatophyta-Seed plants
Division: Magnoliophyta-Flowering plants
Class: Magnoliopsida-Dicotyledons
Subclass: Dilleniidae
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae-Mallow family
Genus: Hibiscus L.- Rosemallow
Species: Hibiscus arnottianus Gray- White Rosemallow
Subspecies: Hibiscus arnottianus Gray subsp. immaculatus (Roe) D. Bates White Rosemallow.
(National Plant Database.2003.)

The leaves are oval with a smooth upper surface and smooth or slightly round-toothed edges. The leaves are 4 to 10 centimeters long and often have red veins and stems. The faintly fragrant flowers have white petals 8 to 11 cm long, 2.5 to 3.5 cm wide, with the calyx being 2.5 to 3 centimeters long. Anthers are arranged along the upper third of the white staminal column 10 to 14 cm long. This subspecies is distinguished from the other native Hawaiian members of its genus by its white petals and white staminal column. The flowers may be slightly pink or may age to pale pink. In cultivation, Hibiscus arnottianus blooms almost continuously.
(Wagner,W.L., Herbst,D.R., Sohmer,S.H. 1999. Manual of Flowering Plants of Hawai'i.)
(USFWS. 1996; Criley. 1998; Criley. 1999; Koob. 1998; Rauch. 1997)

(Bornhorst, H.L. 1996. Growing native Hawaiian plants: A how-to guide for the gardener.)

** The information provided above is not intended to be used as a guide for treatment of medical conditions using plants.

(Wagner, W.L.,Herbst, D.R., Sohmer, S.H. 1999. Manual of Flowering Plants of Hawai'i; USFWS, 1996.)

Current Management Summary:
The Nature Conservancy of Hawai'i is working with State and local hunters in remote sections of Kamakou and Pelekunu to try to reduce the population of feral goats.

NTBG propagated Hibiscus arnottianus subsp. immaculatus and plans to research propagation methods and feasibility of long-term seed storage (USFWS, 1996.)

NTBG currently has ex situ holdings of seeds in its seed bank and plants growing in the McBryde Garden representing one out of the four populations.

Research Management Needs:
1. Propagation and maintenance of ex situ genetic stock should be continued for Hibiscus arnottianus subsp. immaculatus.
2. Exclosures should be built for protection against feral goats.
3. Determine the best methods for ex situ propagation and transplanting. Also, a research program is recommended to study the growth and viability of Hibiscus arnottianus subsp. immaculatus.
4. Conduct pollination biology and reproductive studies.
5. Map genetic diversity in the surviving populations of Hibiscus arnottianus subsp. immaculatus.

Ex Situ Needs
1. Survey ex situ holdings and conduct molecular fingerprinting.
2. Establish secure ex situ stocks with full founder representation.
3. Develop proper horticultural and pest management protocols.
4. Propagation and maintenance of ex situ genetic stock should be continued.
(Recommendations derived from Chapin, M. H. and Maunder, M. USFWS. 1996.)

No other conservation efforts have been undertaken as at this time.