67 



May 25, 1995 



Flora Ho ' oulualoha Hookano- Coll ins 

 132 Ho'omalu St. 

 Hilo, Hawaii 96820 



To: United States Senate, Committee on Indian Affairs 

 Washington, DC 20510-6450 



Re: Hawaiian Fishing Practices 



The Hawaiian culture and traditions is centered around 

 "Aloha 'Aina M , the love for the land and its surroundings . The 

 native Hawaiians of old Hawai'i were spiritually linked to every 

 element of nature. To understand Hawaiian thought, a person must 

 realize that the Hawaiian truly experiences the world 

 differently. We view the world as being alive, conscious, and 

 able to be communicated with, and it has to be dealt with that 

 way. The Hawaiian participates in a community with all of the 

 species of nature, a community in which all beings have rights 

 and responsibilities to one another (Dudley4 ) . 



Before the introduction of Western culture, the Hawaiians 

 recognized two main classes of food: 'Ai, or vegetable food, 

 Particularly taro and poi, and I'a, or fish which was the main 

 source of protein. The poi was the bland staple, and the fish 

 was the most tasty accompaniment that made eating a delight. 



The fishermen of old relied on their knowledge, skills and 

 experience to help them secure the fish and other protein foods 

 from the sea. They shared these foods with their 'ohana 

 (family), and members of the community. 



The head fisherman , and other successful fishermen were 

 descended, in most cases, from a long line of fisherfolk. These 

 men were in possession of knowledge and secrets which had been 

 passed down from those who made this form of food-getting their 

 daily life. There were elements of the unknown and unpredictable 

 in the activities of the fisherman. His domain usually extended 

 from the shore seaward to the horizon. Sometimes he fished so 

 far out that he could see but the tops of the mountains of his 

 homeland. 



Those lawai'a (fishermen) that could supply large amounts of 

 fish from ponds or make* big catches at sea were believed to have 

 supernatural powers or have access to make implements that 

 attract fish. Many legends were written about these famous 

 Hawaiian fishermen. Through these legends it express two 



