Hala (Pandanus tectorius)

Photo courtesy of Jupiter Nielsen

Hawaiian name: Hala
Botanical name: Pandanus tectorius
Family: Pandanaceae (Screwpine Family)
Status: Indigenous
Where found: All Hawaiian islands except Kaho‘olawe (HI exc. Ka)
Water/Light: Dry, with full to part sunlight
Elevation range: 0 to 2,000 feet
Height: 25-30 feet, with a 20 foot spread

Hala leaves (lau hala) are exceptional for weaving mats, hats, roof thatching, canoe sails, baskets, sandals (kāma‘a), fans and so much more. In Hawai‘i, the preparation of lau hala was done only by women. The fruit of the female hala tree can be made into striking yellow to deep-orange lei. Hawaiian custom notes that these lei are given only in times when a person advances from one significant level of life to the next, including graduations, weddings and funerals. Hala is an excellent landscape tree for poor, salty or sandy soils in hot and windy areas. It can stabilize sandy soil along coastal properties, where salt spray may kill most other plants. The wood from male trees is said to be harder and is used in hale construction, canoe rollers, and occasionally for bowls.