Lauhala

As Lauhala ( hawaiian lau hala ) wickerwork be called from the leaves of pandanus trees in Hawaii.

Species

The Hawaiians distinguish five types of Hala tree on the color and size of the fruit:

• Hala ula ( orange )
• Hala lihilihi ula ( red top, which is yellow towards the center )
• Hala Ikoi ( only at the top bright orange)
• Hala melemele (yellow)
• Hala pia (not quite white, small fruit)

Weaving

The beginnings of Lauhala - weaving are obviously far back as ancient grave finds from caves almost the same shapes show as younger objects.

Were produced, among others, floor mats, sleeping mats, window curtains, headliners, storage baskets, sailing, hats and loincloths. Even the walls of the dwellings could be covered with lauhala.

Use of other parts of plants

The yellow to red parts of the fruit were used for performance or as a brush to paint. Since the word hala also means failure, error or sin, was formerly not wearing a hala lei in important projects.

Because of their fragrance you used the male flowers ( Hinano ) for perfume tapa. Especially Puna on the island of Hawaii was proverbially known for. Weaving were also made of the cover sheets.

The tips of aerial roots ( uleule ) found application in medicine.