Nothocestrum breviflorum Nothocestrum breviflorum Nothocestrum breviflorum, commonly known as smallflower aiea, is a species of tree in the nightshade family, Solanaceae, that is endemic to the island of Hawaii. It inhabits dry and mixed mesic forests at elevations of . These forests are dominated by ōhia lehua ("Metrosideros polymorpha") and koa ("Acacia koa") or lama ("Diospyros sandwicensis"), while plants associated with smallflower aiea include wiliwili ("Erythrina sandwicensis") and uhiuhi ("Caesalpinia kavaiensis"). "N. breviflorum" reaches a height of . It is threatened by habitat loss. It is federally listed as an endangered species of the United States. There are fewer than 50 individuals
Acacia koa used by ancient Hawaiians to build "waa" (dugout outrigger canoes) and "papa hee nalu" (surfboards). Only "paipo" (bodyboards), "kikoo", and "alaia" surfboards were made from koa, however; "olo", the longest surfboards, were made from the lighter and more buoyant "wiliwili" ("Erythrina sandwicensis"). The reddish wood is very similar in strength and weight to that of Black Walnut ("Juglans nigra"), with a specific gravity of 0.55, and is sought for use in wood carving and furniture. Koa is also a tonewood, often used in the construction of ukuleles, acoustic guitars, and Weissenborn-style Hawaiian steel guitars. B.C. Rich used koa on some