Hawaiian fisherman Aku Hauanio, of Kalapana, will demonstrate traditional Hawaiian ulua fishing techniques in upcoming Eia Hawaii and Puana Ka ‘Ike lectures in Hilo and Kona.
Hawaiian fisherman Aku Hauanio, of Kalapana, will demonstrate traditional Hawaiian ulua fishing techniques in upcoming Eia Hawaii and Puana Ka ‘Ike lectures in Hilo and Kona.
Hauanio will share the wisdom and practice of early cliff-top fishing, known as hang-baiting, in his lecture “Kau La‘au: Traditional Hawaiian Ulua Fishing Technique” from 2-3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23, at the University of Hawaii at Hilo in Wentworth 1, and 5:30-7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24, in the Keauhou Ballroom III at Sheraton Keauhou Resort and Spa at Keauhou Bay. Both lectures are free and open to the public.
The ulua, a species of crevalle, jack or pompano, is legendary in Hawaiian culture. The largest ulua caught in recent times weighed 191 pounds. While modern ulua fishing equipment and tournaments pull countless fish from the sea each year, some Hawaiians are revisiting the traditions of their ancestors for more sustainable fishing practices.
Born and raised in Kalapana, Hauanio grew up at the ocean, throwing net, diving, gathering ‘a‘ama (black crab), pounding opihi (limpets) and fishing in the kau la‘au, or ma‘ama‘a, style as his father and grandfather did before him. Kau la‘au was passed down through the generations in the Kalapana area.
For more information about this presentation, contact Joy Cunefare at 322-5340 or email info@kohalacenter.org. For lecture schedules, visit http://kohalacenter.org/puanakaike/about.html. Webcasts of previous lectures are available at http://keauhouresort.com/learn-puanakaike.html.
The lectures are sponsored by Keauhou-Kahalu‘u Education Group, Kamehameha Schools, The Kohala Center and University of Hawaii at Hilo Kipuka Native Hawaiian Student Center.