The Polynesians may have found this tree growing here when they first arrived -- or they may have brought it with them. Leaves (lau hala) and fruits of hala were used in many ways -- for plaiting mats, making leis and paint brushes, and even for food in time of famine, as well as in many other ways. They used the roots and flowers for medicine.

The tips of the aerial roots are covered with scales which look like dry leaves. If these are pulled off, one can see the soft tip of the root which the scales covered to protect it. This root tip is what the Hawaiians used for medicine.

The root tip was pounded with other plants and the juice of sugar cane (ko) -- then all this mixture was squeezed and strained. The juice which they got was heated by putting hot stones in it, this medicine was used as a tonic for mothers who were weak because they had given birth to many children. It was also drunk for pains in the chest.

The soft part at the bottom of the flower was chewed by a mother to give to young children as a laxative; adults also used this for a laxative.