A new type of porous biomaterial for bone repair was successfully prepared using poly(L-lactic acid) short fibers of approximate to 700 mu m and hydroxyapatite whiskers (W-HAs) of 60 mu m (in average length). When W-HAs of <= 70 wt% were introduced, the composites could have about 80% porosity including numerous, interconnecting pores of > 10 mu m in diameter. W-HAs play an important role in formation of the pores, which allow penetration of nutriments and ingrowth of bone cells.