Origins and History of Hawaiian Fish Hooks

For the ancient Hawaiians, the sea provided a source of beauty, recreation and most importantly, sustenance. Over generations, lawai‘a (fishermen) honed their hunting skills with the help of tools such as a spear, net, trap, line and hook.

Hawaiian fishermen used hooks (makau) to catch fish in the open ocean. They possessed knowledge of specific techniques such as which hook was needed to catch a particular kind of fish. In addition to being knowledgeable seamen, fishermen were also skilled artisans; it is likely that they carved the hooks themselves.

Without the luxury of modern technology, the ancient Hawaiians relied on the environment for materials to produce fish hooks. For example, human and animal bones were used to catch large prey such as sharks, while shell hooks made from pearl or turtle shell were more fragile and often used for smaller game.

There are two variations used in traditional Hawaiian fish hook necklaces: simple and composite. Simple hooks are made of a single material such as bone or wood, while composite hooks consist of two separate pieces lashed together. The Small Koa Necklace is an example of a contemporary composite fish hook made with locally prized Koa wood.

The basic shape of a fish hook includes the shank and a point. The point ranges from straight to curved and may include a barb which prevents fish from slipping out once they are hooked. The Large Hawaiian Hook Necklace and the Mini Hawaiian Hook Necklace represent different variations in the placement of the barb.

Today, fish hooks are worn as a symbol of Polynesian culture. Once used as a tool for harvesting marine life, the fish hook is now reminiscent of an ancient craft and lifestyle. Fish hooks perpetuate the Hawaiian way of life through contemporary jewelry.