Born: Kapa‘au, Kalapana, Big Island of Hawai‘i
Hawaiian Fishnet Knotting - Master

"Our days, no we don’t destroy fish, we don’t throw away fish, give ‘em to the family who need it...and we don’t catch too many, we catch only enough for the family."

The skills of knotting were important to ancient Hawaiians. They made their nets from natural materials. In Hawai‘i, nets were made from olona, one of the strongest natural fibers known. This netting was also used for making feather capes. Knotting is also used to make holders for gourds and baskets. The Hawaiian throw net is made these days from nylon fish line, also referred to in Hawai‘i by the Japanese name, tsuji. There are still artists in Hawai‘i who can make and mend a throw net. There are also many fishermen who use and treasure them. Patience and skill is involved in the making of a net. A good fishnet is an amazing work of art and in the shallow waters of the reef, you can use them to "catch plenty fish" too!