Dubautia herbstobatae, a member of the silversword alliance, is a spreading shrub that produces yellowish-orange flowers.

[2] The two main forces threatening D. herbstobatae are habitat destruction, especially by wildfire, and introduced species, particularly feral hogs and goats.

Stochastic events in the small populations that make up the species include environmental threats such as invasion of the habitat by tourists and catastrophes such as fire and landslides.

It has designated critical habitat for Dubautia herbstobatae in two units totaling 198 acres (0.80 km2) on Oahu.

[2] Actions include seed collection for genetic storage, fencing select patches of plants within populations for short-term protection, surveying for populations in historical sites and suitable habitat, studying D. herbstobatae populations with regard to population size and structure, geographical distribution, flowering cycles, pollination vectors, seed dispersal agents, longevity, specific environmental requirements, limiting factors and threats, and reintroducing individuals into suitable habitat.

[2] The U.S. Army is scheduled to manage the Makua Valley and the Makaha side of Kamaileunu Ridge in Hawaii.