A rare hinano, or male flower of the hala tree, along a Big Island coastline; in ancient times, the pollen was used to preserve feather leis and kahilis, the white bracts around the flower were made into fine mats for Hawaiian chiefs and kahunas, and the hard wood was used to make calabashes and wood posts.
Hala Hinano, Big Island A rare hinano, or male flower of the hala tree, along a Big Island coastline; in ancient times, the pollen was used to preserve feather leis and kahilis, the white bracts around the flower were made into fine mats for Hawaiian chiefs and kahunas, and the hard wood was used to make calabashes and wood posts.