lauhala

Definition

(Noun) In Hawaiian, "lau" means, leaf, and "hala" means "to go away". The lau hala leaf was weaved into mats and used to wrap the bones of the dead before burial, either by water, fire or burial in the ground or cave.

Traditionally, the word, "hala" is never to be used in poetry, mele (song) or any other means, as it is a symbol of passing, to go away, or death.