Sandbur or Cenchrus echinatus
Echinatus is a greek word that means 'armed with spines" and describes the many burs. This grass has blades that are slightly hairy with a spike like racemes that is composed of spiny burrs. The hawaiian name is 'ume'alu and sometimes called mau'u (general name for grasses) kuku (bur).

  
The sandbur is a very hardy plant that can survive extreme weather.
 

This weed is dominant on the hillsides of Mokunui, the larger of the Mokuluas, and is common in disturbed habitats near the ocean on beaches and limestones soils. In times of drought the Mokulua Islands risk the invasive species spreading over the hillside, yet at the same time it has helped to control erosion.

 
The sandbur is an invasive plant and can displace native species important to seabirds.

 

  Sandburs are an invasive weed that spread when the burs stick to clothing and fur or feathers of animals. If you are in an area where this plant could take over native species take time to remove any burs to prevent the spread of the weed to other places, especially the offshore islands.