Uses
The hala tree is of great cultural, health and economic importance in many Pacific Islands. The fruit of the tree is used as a food source in many Pacific Islands. The fruits are oftentimes consumed fresh or as a preserved food while the trunks of P. tectorius can be used as building material, and leaves for thatching. Though many parts of the hala tree are utilized, in Hawaii the most common use of Hala is the leaves.
Hawaiians distinguish five kinds of the hala tree according to the colour and size of the fruits:
- hala ʻula (orange red)
- hala lihilihi ʻula (red tip, becoming yellow to the centre)
- hala ʻīkoi (bright orange only at the tip)
- hala melemele (yellow)
- hala pia (not quite white, small fruit)
Read more about this topic: Lauhala