Hala
Names
- ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi: Hala
- Common Name: Screwpine
- Scientific: Pandanus tectorius
Species Information
The leaves of a hala tree are typically a dark green and can range from 2 to 6 feet long (Native Plants Hawaiʻi). Early Hawaiians used hala extensively in their everyday lives, incorporating materials from this tree species into their canoes, clothing, games, and houses. During famine, the sweet, fresh fruit tips of the hala could be relied upon as a source of food. The leaves of hala are used in lauhala weaving.
Distribution
Hala have been found throughout the Hawaiian islands with the exception of Kaho’olawe. Extensive hala forests can be found along the coast of Hawaiʻi Island.
Habitat
Hala can be found growing in moist coastal locations and valley slopes up to an elevation of 2,000 ft.
Threats
The hala scale insect (Thysanococcus pandani) was introduced to Maui in 1999. The scale has spread to virtually all areas of Maui, killing younger hala plants and rendering leaves of mature trees useless to traditional weavers. Though the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture is currently searching for a suitable biocontrol agent for these beetles, lauhala weavers, have implemented conservation efforts to protect hala trees.
Photos
References & Additional Resources
- Native Plants Hawaii – Viewing Plant : Pandanus tectorius. (n.d.). http://nativeplants.hawaii.edu/plant/view/Pandanus_tectorius/
- Bishop Museum: Plants of Hawaiʻi. Pandanus tectorius: https://plantsofhawaii.org/detail/%7BD036E84D-A4EC-4EE7-B0EA-678F741C19D0%7D