Remya kauaiensis is in the sunflower family (Asteraceae). The members of this genus are small perennial shrubs, about 90 cm (3 ft) tall, with many slender, sprawling or scandent (climbing) to weakly erect branches. Remya kauaiensis is a small short-lived perennial shrub, about 1 meter (3 feet) tall, with many sprawling branches covered with a fine tan fuzz near their tips. The lower surface of the leaves is covered with fine white hairs.