Schiedea hawaiiensis is a perennial herb or vine in the pink family, Caryophyllaceae. The reclining or sprawling vine is pale yellowish-green, sometimes with the stems on the lower portions of the plant tinged purple. The leaves are opposite and elliptic-ovate; ranging from 4 to 5.8 cm (1.6 to 2.2 in) long, and 1.7 to 2.8 cm (0.7 to 1.2 in) wide. This species has inflorescences that are panicle-like and approximately 30 to 40 cm (12 to 16 in) long with broadly ovoid capsules that are about 3.5 to 4 mm (0.14 to 0.16 in) long. There are 9–20 seeds per capsule, each approximately 1 to 1.3 mm (0.035 to 0.04 in) long and ovid (oval) shaped.