Pe'a, Petroglyphs and the Hawaiian Fishing Tradition

In the upper center of this picture can be seen several shallow U-shaped impressions filled with fallen leaves. These are a ki'i pōhaku (petroglyph) depicting what in Hawaiian is called a pe'a and more generally is called a crab-claw style sail.

Such sails are part of a technological complex among peoples of an area spreading from Madagascar to Rapa Nui (Greene 1993:Chapter I.B) cooresponding to the geographic distribution of the so-called Austronesian languages, of which the Polynesian languages, including Hawaiian, are a part. They were used with the large doubled and single hulled outrigger canoes (called wa'a kaulua and wa'a kaukahi, respectively, in Hawaiian) that enabled long-distance ocean voyages, and as populations separated diverged slightly in form as unique cultures developed (Greene 1993:Chapter I.C).

These sails and canoes also are important to the subsistence activities of Hawaiian people. Offshore fishing is a specialist activity, which in old times involved someone called a po'o lawai'a, who could be a commoner or low rank Ali'i, always a man, and led fishing expeditions due to their knowledge and experience (Greene 1993:Chapter I.E.3.a.1.a). This individual had apprenticed to an elder po'o lawai'a, had apprentices of their own and knew the gear needed, how to manufacture it, though this was mostly done by other specialist craftsfolk and how to catch each species of fish (Greene 1993:Chapter I.E.3.a.1.a). Line-fishing with trolling or sinking hooks were the most common methods and knowledge of fishing areas was held secret within the family or community group (Greene 1993:Chapter I.E.3.a.1.a).

In addition, numerous ritual practices and kapu are associated with fishing. For example the first catch is always offered at a ku'ula or fishing heiau (Greene 1993:Chapter I.E.3.a.1.a) and kapu restricted where and when fishing could occur in order to avoid overexploitation of marine resources and damage to marine environments (Greene 1993:Chapter I.E.3.a.1.b). Fisherman also have patron deities, Ku'ula and Hina, that they revere, as well as lineage associated guardians called 'aumakua (Greene 1993:Chapter I.E.3.a.1.b). Many 'aumakua are associated with species of shark, and a fisherman prior to leaving for sea will give offerings to any member of the species cooresponding to their 'aumakua that they encounter or as was more common, a specific individual they fed daily (Greene 1993:Chapter I.E.3.a.1.b).

As can be seen, fishing in Hawaiian culture is imbued with meaning, lasting across the over 1000 years of Hawaiian history. It ties into images such as sail and boats in ki'i pōhaku. These images also change over time. After CE 1800 European style sails and rigging become standard and images of wa'a and pe'a are replaced by images of European style sailing vessels. Such a ki'i pōhaku is known from the makai Honokōhau ahupua'a in a ki'i pōhaku field very close to where this ki'i pōhaku sits. Together the two ki'i pōhaku tell a tale of the importance of the sea to subsistence, history and origins to Hawaiian people, as well as the changes which occurred through time.

References Cited

Greene, Linda W.
1993 A Cultural History of Three Traditional Hawaiian Sites on the West Coast of Hawai'i Island. U.S. Department of the Interior National Park Service Denver Service Center, Denver, CO.