Falcataria moluccana subtropical regions of the world and so has many common names. These include: albizia (Hawaii), Moluccan albizia, sengon (Java), salawaku (Maluku), jeungjing (Indonesia), ai-samtuco (Tetun, East Timor), madre de cacao (East Timor), batai (Malaysia), kerosin tree (Pohnpei), sau, Moluccan sau, and falcata (Philippines). The tree has become invasive in forests in Hawaii and on other Pacific islands. In Hawaii the caterpillars of the endemic Hawaiian koa looper ("Scotorythra paludicola") has been found to defoliate "Falcataria moluccana" and complete their development on this invasive tree without the larvae eating the leaves of their native host "Acacia koa". In Borneo the following
Koa wilt species of koa-finches, "Rhodacanthis palmeri" and "R. flaviceps", which fed on green koa seed pods. These species are now extinct due to habitat loss and avian malaria. It is important to preserve the remaining koa populations to helpt to avoid further native bird extinctions. Koa also has great cultural importance for native Hawaiians. The name “koa” means "brave, bold, fearless" or "warrior" in Hawaiian. Koa wood was used extensively in ancient Hawaiian society for constructing houses, spears, tools, canoe paddles, kahili (feathered standards of royalty), calabashes, ceremonies, and surfboards. Canoes were, and still are, carved from the trunks of koa