MAKING TRADITIONAL HAWAIIAN FISHHOOKS & SHARK HOOKS

Ka’imiloa Chrisman, M.D. explains in detail how the Hawaiians of old patiently fabricated their fishhooks and shark hooks using stone, coral and other tools, including the naowili (pump drill). They could do amazingly fine work despite the absence of metal, making fishhooks of different shapes, sizes and functions, depending on the particular fish they were after. The 2-piece hooks and shark hooks were unique to Hawaii. copyright, B. Ka’imiloa Chrisman, July 2, 2023. NOTE: Found animal bones were used in making the hooks shown here. CORRECTION: the two large Aku (bonito) pearl-shell lures from the S. Pacific have pearl-shell hooks as well. In the video I said they were turtle shell because from my side the hook were dull and dark, much looking like turtle shell. But from the viewer’s side they are clearly pearl-shell.