Puna means a fresh water spring, hala is the Hawaiian word for the pandanus tree. Punahala means "pandanus spring." Interesting side note, the pandanus tree is commonly found throughout low lying areas of Hawaii. The leaves are used to make hats and fans sold at many stores throughout Hawaii. They were also once used to make the sails of the ancient Hawaiian voyaing canoes and to make a type of protective clothing which would cover either the left or right side of a warriors torso from the upper chest down to the upper thighs depending on the side of his dominant hand. It was quite effective at deflecting thrown spears and slung stones.
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