Natural reseeding of the species is common in low-rainfall regions with saline soils. Trees survive coppicing, but may grow back as many-branched shrubs. Several other insects including psyllids, can defoliate trees. Posts of kiawe are durable, but are subject to attack by teredos, a shipworm, when used as pilings in the water. Rooting is shallow in many soils and windstorms can topple the trees.
Growth is very slow compared to other trees under adequate moisture conditions.
Trees rarely survive slow fires. Trees appear highly variable genetically and are almost uniformly poor in form. Taxonomy is debated, and the relationships of P. pallid and P. juliflora needs clarification. Contact author J.L. Brewbaker and staff of NFTA in Hawaii for abstracts of references cited, or further information and seeds.