There are three species of 'elepaio in the Hawaiian islands: Hawai'i, O'ahu, and Kauai 'elepaio. The Hawai'i 'elepaio are split into three subspecies: Kona, Volcano, and Mauna Kea 'elepaio.

In Hawaiian culture 'elepaio are considered the 'aumakua, or guardian spirit, of canoe makers. According to one legend, if an 'elepaio pecked at a koa tree, it meant the tree was infested with insects and not suitable for making into a canoe. If instead an 'elepaio landed on the tree and sang "ono-ka-ia", or "sweet-the-fish", it indicated that the wood was sound.

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