Traditional Fishing Methods
Hawaiian lawai'a fished for i'a in a variety of different ways, the following are simple descriptions of a few traditional fishing methods. For more extensive insight into Hawaiian fishing methods, turn to "Ko 'Oihana Lawai'a" by Daniel Kahā'ulelio (2006) or "The Works of the People of the Old" by Samuel Kamakau (1976).
1. Using one's hands to catch i'a
Although men did most of the fishing, often men, women, and children would go down to the shoreline and fish in holes, within the sand, and under rocks using their hands. They would carry their catch in a net bag or a calabash tied to thier waist.
2. 'Upena: Fishing with nets
The word "'upena" was a general term used to describe different types of fish nets. There were many types of 'upena with names that described their uses:
Scoop and dip nets:
The word "'upena" was used before the type of i'a desired when using a scoop or dip net. For instance, when catching rock fish, the scoop net was referred to as 'upena pāo'o. Scoop nets were constructed using a bendable wood rod formed into a tennis racket shape. A mesh net was then attached to the large opening.
Dip nets were constructed using two rods betweeen which was a mesh net. Bait was tied to the net to attract other fish that would hover over the net, which then would be caught as the lawai'a lifted the net from below, securing the catch.
'Upena ku'u: Gill nets
'Upena ku'u were nets made with different size mesh, depending on the catch, and left in places known to obstruct the path of moving fish schools. As the fish swam unknowingly into the net, the fish would become enmeshed and later were removed.
'Upena pāloa: Seine nets
'Upena pāloa nets were often very long, reaching lengths of 900 feet. The botton of the net was sewn with a rope and sinkers to help it sink. The top of the net, kept at the surface of the water was laced with wooden floats. The catch i'a, lawai'a would use canoes to surround a school of fish with the 'upena pāloa. Once the net formed a complete circle around the catch, the bottom of the net was closed using the rope which would trap the i'a in the net.