Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 6, Number 3, 1 March 1989 — Naturally Hawaiian [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Naturally Hawaiian

By Patrick Ching Artist/ Environmentalist

Guardians Of The Deep

Sharks have always played a very prominent role in Hawaiian culture. Stories about sharks are numerous and varied. Many Hawaiian families revere sharks as family guardians or 'aumakua. Such families are said to have relatives who were either born as sharks or who have died and then transformed into sharks. Such sharks are known as mano kanaka and should be distinguished from the mano 'ia, or edible sharks. Guardian sharks were cared for and petted by devoted relatives known as kahu. In return, these sharks would protect their kahu from any danger they may encounter while in or near the oeean. There are many species of shark that inhabit Hawaiian waters. The word mano is used to refer to sharks in general. The white tipped reef shark, »

known as mano lalakea, is eommon in shallow reef areas and is generally thought to be harmless to humans, while the niuhi, or man-eating shark, were considered ferocious killers. It is said that the eyes of these sharks would glow in the dark. The catching of niuhi was a sport reserved for kings and favored persons. Most literature refer to the niuhi as the great white shark, Carcharodon carcharius, whieh is actually quite rare in Hawaiian waters. There are those who believe however, that the term niuhi was used to describe mako or tiger sharks as well. The bodies of sharks were used by many cultures throughout the world. In Hawai'i, the flesh was consumed by those allowed to eat sharks, the skin was used as sandpaper or stretched over drums, and the teeth were used for cutting tools, weapons, and as decorative ornaments.