THE HAWAIIAN PEOPLE. 72> 



much taste — red and brown sedge stems being used for the purpose. These were 

 worked in on the upper surface of the mat in patterns that resembled embroidery, 

 various designs being formed, as squares, diamonds, stripes and zigzag lines. 



The plaiting of mats, like the beating of tapa, was women's work in ancient 

 Hawaii, and those who possessed much skill in these important arts were esteemed 

 for their labor and praised for their handiwork. 



Fishing. 



Aside from war, fishing and agriculture were the chief occupations engaged 

 in \)\ the men, so that, in general, men procured the food while the women did 

 their full share in making the provisions for the Hawaiian family, and supply- 

 ing the raiment that their civilization required. 



Fishing, like agriculture, was associated with religious ceremonies and the 

 worship of idols. Among this class, the practice was carried to such an extent 

 that special heiaus and altars were constructed and a somewhat different form 

 of worship established. Like the fishermen in all lands and in all times, the 

 natives were firm believers in good luck and their faith in signs and omens was 

 accordingly deep-seated. Their gods were numerous, so that each fisherman 

 worshipped one of his own choice. Likewise the tabus of their gods v.'ere many 

 and the devotee would go to a great length in carrying out the fancied desire 

 of his patron deity. The god of one fisherman would tabu black, for example, 

 and in observance of the tabu, the fisherman would have nothing black on his net 

 or canoe, would take nothing black from the seas, and his dutiful wife would 

 wear nothing black upon her person nor allow the tabu color to appear even 

 in the vicinity of her home. 



The business of fishing was carried on with great skill and those engaged in 

 the occupation had an extensive knowledge of the habits, feeding grounds and 

 species of fish in the sea round about the islands. 



Fish nets were made in various forms for various purposes. They were 

 netted of a twine manufactured by twisting the fiber of the olona to form 

 cordage, most remarkable for its durability. As a substitute in certain cases, 

 cord made from the cocoanut fiber was used, though it was by no means as 

 flexible or durable as the former. The olona grew in a semi-cultivated state, in 

 the mountain valleys, where abundant rainfall was assured. The bark was 

 gathered from the young shoots, which were stripped and hackled with a scraper 

 made of tortoise shell or bone. 



Nets of various sizes and patterns were designed for various purposes, as 

 were various fish hooks, poisons, traps and the lik(\ A few of these will 

 a fuller treatment in a chapter devoted Xvi Hawaiian fish and fishing. 



Salt IM.vnufacture. 



Halt was an important article among the llawaiians and they were adept 

 in the manufacture of a coarse salt from the sea water. Two methods were em- 

 ployed : One, that of putting the water in shallow scooped-out stone dishes 



