Planchonella sandwicensis is a species of flowering tree in the sapodilla family, Sapotaceae, that is endemic to the main islands of Hawaii.

The fruit, a berry, is 3–4 cm (1.2–1.6 in) in diameter and yellow, orange, or purplish black.

[4] The wood of ʻālaʻa is yellow with black streaks, extremely hard, and close grained.

[4] Native Hawaiians used it in house construction and to make the pale (gunwales) of waʻa (outrigger canoes),[3] ʻōʻō (digging sticks), and ihe (spears).

The sticky, milky sap was used as a kolū (glue) for weapon and tool handles[2] and as kēpau (birdlime), much like papala kepau (Pisonia spp.).