Pritchardia kaalae, a member of the Arecaceae (palm) family, is a palm tree up to 5 m (16 ft) tall. The waxy, hairless leaves are thin and papery or thick and leathery. Sometimes small points, dots, or linear, rusty scales are scattered on the lower leaf surface. The flowering stalks are composed of one or more branches. The round fruits are approximately 2 cm (0.8 in) in diameter.