Description: Elaeocarpus carolinensis is considered to be an endemic species to the Eastern Caroline Islands (in this case to the volcanic high islands of Pohnpei and Kosrae (Costion and Lorence 2012:75-76). This species was first described botanically by the Japanese botanist Gen'ichi Koidzumi (1883–1953 The genus Elaeocarpus contains between 150 and more than 500 species depending at least to some extent upon whether it is classified as belonging to the family Elaeocarpaceae or Tiliaceae. Obviously this genus needs much more study to determine the accurate amount of species variation in Elaeocarpus. E. carolinensis is large, native Micronesia tree that may grow to heights of 35-40 m (100-130 ft) under prime conditions. It produces pointed, evergreen, simple leaves which are alternately arranged on the stem and are elliptic in shape reaching 10 -15 cm (4-6 in) long and 3-5 cm (1-2 in) wide. The leaves have margins that are either entire or serrated with a swollen petiole, and they almost always turn yellow to red before falling to the ground. Some of its distinctive cream-colored cup-shaped flowers turn red with age and its fruit (drupes) are bluish when ripe.

All Micronesian Elaeocarpus species, listed below from Costion and and Lorence (2012:76), including E. carolinensis,are considered endemic:

Elaeocarpus carolinensis Koidz. (Eastern Carolines)
Elaeocarpus joga Merr. (Micronesia)
Elaeocarpus kerstingianus Schltr. (Pohnpei)
Elaeocarpus kusaiensis Kaneh. (Eastern Carolines)
Elaeocarpus kusanoi Kaneh. (Eastern Carolines)
Elaeocarpus rubidus Kaneh. (Palau)

Distribution: The many species in the genus Elaeocarpus are widely distributed, and are found variously in Asia, Australia, Madagascar, Mauritius, Malesia, New Zealand, the Papua New Guinea, and the Pacific. Elaeocarpus carolinensis, E. joga and some other species of Elaeocarpus (see below) occur in some of the high Caroline islands of Federated States of Micronesia and Palau; e.g., E. carolinensis occurs on the islands of Pohnpei, Kosrae and Palau in rain forests including tropical montane cloud forests from sea-level to about 400 m where it is a canopy tree considered critical for rainforest survival on some islands. These trees can be found in both the lowland and upland forests. As noted, E. carolinensis can develop into a large tree in some places, especially those that are protected from strong winds and where there is deep fertile soil. Unfortunately, due to upland deforestation for clandestine commercial cultivation of kava (Piper methysticum) or subsistence farming on some islands this species is less common than in the past in its montane Eastern Caroline, Micronesian range.

Uses by Island or Island Group: The main products of Elaeocarpus carolinensis have been its flowers and wood.

Uses in Pohnpei and Kosrae: Elaeocarpus carolinensis is known as Sakak on Pohnpei, and as Nahnek on Kosrae; on both of these high volcanic islands in the Eastern Carolinese these native trees are important components of the rainforests and are used to make canoe hulls (note: trunks of the breadfruit tree (Artocarpus altilis) is also used to fabricate canoe hulls in these islands). The wood of E. carolinensis is lighter than Campnosperma brevipetiolata (known as Dohng on Pohnpei and as Elahk on Kosrae). C. brevipetiolata is also a common, native rainforest tree on both Pohnpei and Kosrae; however, even though it has lighter wood, E. carolinensis has been less desirable than C. brevipetiolata for making canoe hulls because its wood is not as strong. On the other hand, in more recent times, both of these native tree species have been referred to as having potential source of commercial timber as a relatively common species in the upper forests of Kosrae (e.g., see Laird 1983:16, a soil survey report for this Micronesian high island).