This common species does best in dry and sunny conditions. Too much rainfall hinders its ability to flower. Young flexible branches could be bent into loops to create a base for fishing nets, and older sturdier branches can be made into ʻōʻō (digging sticks), octopus fishing spears, and ʻūkēkē (simple string instruments). Even though this species is indigenous and found elsewhere in the world, 3 of its relatives are endemic to Hawaiʻi. These include two types of raspberry as well as a species of strawberry.