The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1897-01-19
HOW AKU
Interesting Points Learn
ed From Fishermen.
Signs That Have Never Been
Known to Fail-Capture of
the Fish Not Easy.

Far out beyond Diamond Head and
in the vicinity of Puuloa, lurk the steel
eolored aku and kawakawa, fishes
which the Hawaiians claim among their
favorites on account of the delicaey et
their flesh ard but few who see these
tsrpedo-hke creatures on sale at the
market are aware OF the trouble tx
periencec by the native fishermen IN
their capture. True when once they
are above water nothing Is 10 be Ieareu,
but when even rev inches from tae
surface there is a possibility OF a bro
ken line and once in while capsizea
boat.
When the natives are out after the
coveted aku and kawakawa they know
in general way where TO steer their
canoes and when the fishing grounds
have once been reached then there Is
total dependence upon TWO things.
Inc first and foremost OF these Is
the appearance OF a small black Diru
known TO the natives as nolo. should
number of these appear lowering
about over patch OF wafer, 1t Is a sure
sign that beneath its surface are swim
ming either aku or kawakawa. TWO
species OF fish very closely allied Ine
natives say that these birds-are very
fond of the flesh of the fishes named
anu when their backs are exposed I0r
even the briefest moment above the
water they pOunce down and. haying
been provided by nature with very
sharp bills, obtain part OF meal in
flash.
From the remOtest periods o. Hawai-
ian history when the natives fshed
with horny substances of various kinIs,
peculiarly fashioned, this sign has been
unfailing, as the very oldest fishermen
will testify to.
Then as to the second sign. Il is
one that is known all over the world
the peculiar and characteristic appear
ance of the water If il so happens
that the birds are absent hunting Cor
their daily means of sustenance IL
other quarters, then this latter sign
is the only one upon which to place
dependence.
Once the fish are located the fisher
men, hitherto padding Iazily about are
all alive in an instant and the canoes
are sent swiftly over the water toward
the suspicious" spot
Usually there are six men in a ca
noe when it is matter Of an aku Ur
kawakawa catch. Four OF the number
handle the paddles land they must be
skillful in their use) while the remain
ing two do the fishing.
Large bamboo poles with stout lines
aud hooks from which bangle bits OF
white cloth instead of bait are used
The lines are dropped into the water
and small live bait such as shrimps
and small fish known as lao are east
into the water These at once attract
the attention of the aku or kawakawa
and they snap at the white rags
When one is caught an exciting time
ensues. A sudden dive of the fish and
it requires all the strength of a strong
fisherman to keep 1t from going -11
far. AT this time there is the greatest
danger that the fish will be attacked
by sharks which always Turk where
the aku and kawakawa swim. Indeed
many times have portions OF the head
of an aku or kawakawa been all the
prize that fishermen have obtained
However, If the head is once pointed
toward the surface of the water and the
fisherman is quick enough TO take adj
vantage of the opportunity. the FISH Is
a. captive without much tronble. he
cylindrical shape of the body and the
sudden collapse OF the large fms by
the sides, rendering the most favorable
circumstances toward getting the fsn
out of the water.
To foreigners the capture Of aku and
kawakawa seems to be simple indeed
but those who in the conceit OF their
own abilities as fishermen. have tried
the experiment. have given it up m
despair, according the palm without
further parley to the experienced old
native fishermen