The early Polynesians brought this plant with them to Hawaii, different parts of the tree were used: the trunk for poi boards; the bark for tapa; and the fruit for eating.

All parts of the tree give off a milky sap (it is sticky), if cut or broken off.

This milky sap, used alone or in a mixture with other plants, was used for skin diseases, cuts, scratches, and scaly or cracked skin. Sores around the mouth were also treated with a mixture having this milky sap in it.