19 



lau ohua, and generally the lau of two or more ohua nets 

 joined, are piled on to a large double canoe, which is taken out 

 two or three miles from shore, attended by a fleet of from 60 

 to 100 single canoes. The head fisherman always goes on the 

 canoe containing the net and lau. Arrived at the proper dis- 

 tance, which must be just opposite the final drawing place, the 

 end of one rope is joined to that of the other, and two canoes 

 manned by eight or ten strong men take the other end of the 

 rope or lau, one each, and start in opposite directions and ex- 

 actly parallel with the shore, whilst the double canoe remains 

 stationary till all the lau is paid out. In the meantime the 

 rest of the canoes have divided into two companies and follow 

 the two leading canoes, stationing themselves at certain dis- 

 tances on the lau and helping to pull it. When the ku is all 

 paid out, the two leading canoes then curve in to form a semi- 

 circle, at the same time always moving towards the shore. 

 When a perfect semi-circle has been made by the lau the 

 double canoes and all the others move gradually forwards with 

 it, while the leading canoes are pulling with all their might 

 straight into the shore. When either end is landed the men 

 immediately leap out and taking hold of the line pull on it, at 

 the same time going towards each other, which has the ef- 

 fect of narrowing the semi-circle, whilst most of the canoes 

 keep backing on to the double canoe, which always keeps the 

 center. Arrived at a suitable place, always a clean sandy one 

 a few rods from shore, the laus are untied and attached to 

 each end of the papa net ; men, women and children now 

 gather cosely on "the lau, especially where it joins the net, and 

 make a great disturbance with their feet, which drives all the 

 fish into the net. Lau and net are finally drawn ashore. 



Lau Kapalili (trembling leaves) fishing can only be carried 

 on on a clear, bright, sunny day, so that the shadows cast by 

 the leaves can be seen and serve to drive the fish inland. Tt 

 is called the " Fishing of Kings," as they only, could com- 

 mand a sufficient number of canoes, men and lau. For the 

 same reason the Niuhi was called the " Game of Kings. " The 



