Why was taro so important to ancient Hawaiians?

Taro root (corm) was and still is an important nutritional mainstay in the diet of Hawaiians. Taro root (kalo) is a complex carbohydrate (starch) as is our potato but much sweeter. Hawaiians hold taro to be sacred, as it is believed the spirit of Haloa, the ancestor of the Hawaiian people is present during consumption of poi (processed taro).