Lauhala mat Lauhala weaving has been done for centurys in the Pacific Islands. From the tough and flexible leaves of the hala tree, wall thatch for houses, mats for floors and to sleep on, window shutters, roof lining, storage baskets, canoe sails and even loincloths were made.The fruit on these trees looks just like pineapples, but is more like sugar cane. The tree has aerial roots that make it look like the tree can walk - like the Ents in Lord of the Rings!