Found on the coastal strand, the Hala tree grows 20-30 feet tall with prop roots that appear above the soil like stilts. The leaves are green and strap-shapedd and edged with prickles. There are separate male and female hala trees. Male trees have clusters of fragrant flowers called hinano, only the female trees have flowers that mature into wedge shaped fruit that is connected to form a pineapple shape. (In fact the fruit is often mistaken for pineapple!) Although it is a quick growing species it takes approximately ten years for the hala tree to mature and bear fruit.

All parts of the hala was of value to early Polynesians. The leaves for plaiting mats, baskets and other household articles. It was also used to make sails for canoes. The keys or fruit could be cooked or eaten raw during times of famine or made into lei (wreath), or when dried to use as paint brushes for tapa (cloth) decoration.