The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1897-01-16
HOW To CATCH AKU
Interesting Points Learn.
ed From Fishermen.
Signs That Have Never Been
known to Fail-Capture of
the Fish Not Easy.
ave Never Been

Far out beyond Diamond Head and
in the vicinity OF Puuloa, Turk the steel
colored aku and kawakawa, fishes
which the Hawaiians claim among their
fayorites on account OF the delicacy CT
their flesh and but few who see these
torpedo-hke creatures on sale at the
market are aware OF the trouble ex-
perienced by the native fishermen In
their capture. True when once they
are above water nothing is 10 be feared,
but when even a few inches from me
surface, there is a possibility oil bro
ken line and once in a while capsized
boat.
When the natives are out after the
coveted aku and kawakawa they know
III a general way where 10 steer their
canoes and when the fishing grounds
have once been reached then there is
total dependence upon two things.
The first and foremost of these is
the appearance of a small black bird
known to the natives as noio. Should
number of these appear lowering
about over a patch of water, 1t is a sure
sign that beneath its surface are swim
ming either aku or kawakawa, two
species of fish very closely allied. The
natives say that these birds are very
fond of the flesh OF the fishes named
and when their backs are exposed for
even the briefest moment above the
water they pounce down and, having
been provided by nature with very
sharp bills, obtain part of a meal in a
flash.
From the remotest periods o. Hawai-
ian history when the natives fished
with horny substances of various kinds,
peculiarly fashioned, this sign has been
unfailing, as the very Oldest fishermen
will testify to.
Then as to the second sign. 1t is
one that is known all over the world
the peculiar and characteristic appear
ance of the water. If 1t so happens
that the birds are absent hunting for
their daily means of sustenance in
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 laZily 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 or
kawakawa catch. Four of the number
handle the paddles (and they must be
skillful in their use) while the remain
ing two do the fishing.
Large bam boo poles with stout lines
and hooks from which bangle bits of
w ING of hof
The lines are dropped into the water
and small live bait such as shrimps
and a small fish known as lao are cast
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 strong
fisherman to keep it from going too
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
or an aku or kawakawa been all the
prize that fishermen have obtained.
However, IL the head is once pointed
toward the surface of the water and the
fisherman is quick enough to take adj
of the opportunity, the fish is
a captive without much trouble, the
shape of the body and the
sudden collapse of the large fins by
he sides, rendering the most favorable
toward getting the fish
out of the water.
To foreigners the capture of aku and
seems to be simple indeed
but those who in the conceit of their
,wn abilities as fishermen, have tried
he experiment, have given it up in
despair, according the palm without
urther parley to the experienced old
native fishermen