THE HAWAIIAN PI^OPLE. 71 



imicli taste — rod and Iji-own sedge stems being used fni- tlic piii-i)()sr. Tliese were 

 worked in on the iipi)er surface of the mat in patterns tluit reseml)k!d embroider}^ 

 various designs being formed, as squares, diamonds, stripes and /igzau' lines. 



Tlie phiiting of mats, like the beating of tapa, w;is women "s \v()rl< in ancient 

 Hawaii, and those who possessed much skill in llicsc imijortant arts were; esteemed 

 for their labor and praised for their handiwork. 



Fishing. 



Aside from war, fishing and agriculture were the chief occui)ati()ns engaged 

 in l)y the men, so that, in general, men procured the food while the woihimi did 

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

 ing the raiment that their civilization refjuired. 



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

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

 that special heiaus and altars were constructed and a somewhat ditferent 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 si<:ns 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 were 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 nothinu' black on liis net 

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

 wear nothing black upon her person nor allow the taltu 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 gi-ounds and 

 species of fish in the sea round about the islands. 



Fish nets were made in various forms for various pur]ioses. They Averc 

 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-culti\ated state, in 

 the mountain valleys, where abiuidant rainfall was assured. The bai-k was 

 gathered from the young shoots, which were stripped and hackled w itli a scnipei- 

 made of tortoise shell or bone. 



Nets of various sizes and patterns were designed I'or \ai-ious pui-poses, as 

 were various fish hooks, ])oisons, trai)s and the like. A few of these will 

 a fuller treatment in a chapter devoted to Hawaiian lish and lisliiiit^'. 



Salt ]\Ianufacti'ke. 



Salt was an important article among the Hawaiians 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 



