Figure 5.—Sewing hala (Pandanus) thatch sheet. a, technique: leaf (1) held with butt end toward worker and with back surface up; a kaso rod (4) laid across leaf about 10 inches from its butt end and leaf butt turned forward over rods; a second leaf (2) added on left in same way with side edge overlapping that of first by about 0.5 inches; the two leaves held together with left hand; right hand pushes the needle (5) up through both layers of first leaf beyond rod and to right of midrib; long diameter of needle held in same direction as length of leaves in order that it may split more readily through longitudinal fibres of leaf; point carried across midrib and passed back through overlapping edges of both leaves and up again through both layers of second leaf (2) on near side of its midrib; needle given half twist to open holes with its wide diameter; thinner haniu rod (6) is passed through the three holes as far as point of needle; a third leaf (3) added with overlap; needle removed; downward and upward piercing on third leaf (3) at parts marked by dotted lines repeated; and rod (6) pushed on through holes. b, section of completed sheet: other leaves have been added in manner indicated and needle removed; kaso (4) and haniu (6) rods in position.