'ahu'ava (Cyperus javanicus) is another sedge like makaloa and kohekohe. It also prefers wet sites and was grown around lo'i kalo (Abbott, 1992). It has flowering stems that can reach a meter or more in height. It produces a whorl of leaves just below the terminal inflorescence.

The stems contain fibers that were used as cordage for house construction. It probably had other similar uses. The fibers were also used to stir niu (coconut) or to strain 'awa. It was also used to make a design for kapa.

The stem anatomy of 'ahu'ava is very similar to makaloa. Vascular Bundles are distributed throughout the stem. Large bundles occupy the center while smaller bundles are found near the outside. Clusters of several Small Bundles are associated with Photosynthetic tissue. This is different compared to makaloa. There are Air Cavities BUT these only occur in one place which is just beneath the Epidermis.

Massive Fiber Bundles occur in the outermost region of the stem. These have a complex structure which varies from one level to the next. These are most certainly the fibers that were used by ancient Hawaiians.