Hala hinano and Hala hua

Pandanus Tectorius- Indigenous & introduced

There are two types of hala trees- male pandanus and female pandanus. This tree is indigenous and introduced from Polynesia. The male trunk is used to make bowls. The hala tree can grow up to 20 feet tall. This tree can also produce an 8-inch pineapple looking fruit.The leaves of the hala tree were used to make canoe sails, mats, baskets, pillows, and sandals. The aerial root is used for medicine. It was the women’s job to prepare the lau hala.

Bible Scripture:

Genesis 1:12
The land produced vegetation: plants bearing seed according to their kinds and trees bearing fruit with seed in it according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

‘ölelo no‘eau- ‘a‘ohe hala ‘ula i ka pö- No hala fruit shows its color in the darkness of night.

Above: The hala tree stands beautifully on this warm, sunny day.
Photo from Pualei L.

Bibliography

Life in Early Hawai‘i The Ahupua‘a. Honolulu: Kamehameha Schools Press, 1994.

Pukui, Mary Kawena. ‘Ölelo No‘eau. Honolulu: Bishop Museum Press, 1983.

"Island Plants." Instant Hawai‘I. 2004. 8 Feb. 2007 <http://www.instanthawaii.com/cgi-bin/hawaii?Plants.hala>.

"Gospel Communications." Bible Gateway.Com. 1995. 8 Feb. 2007 <http://www.biblegateway.com>.