[3] When the plant was discovered it was initially thought to be Cyanea linearifolia, an extinct species, and the discovery was broadcast and celebrated.

The species name kuhihewa is a Hawaiian verb that means "to make an error of judgment, to mistake someone for someone else, to not recognize someone when you first see him".

[5] The type specimen of the plant was collected in 1991, and the following year the habitat was seriously damaged by Hurricane Iniki.

[7] The species is threatened by competition with introduced weeds, including Clidemia hirta, Rubus rosifolius, and Sphaeropteris cooperi.

These seeds are stored in the National Tropical Botanical Garden and the Lyon Arboretum.