What Defines a Ko‘a from other structures?
-The main distinction that defined a Ko‘a from other structures is location. Ko‘a were constructed at a rock point of a ridge or at the end of a sand beach- McAllister
-The main distinction that defined a Ko‘a from other structures is location. Ko‘a were constructed at a rock point of a ridge or at the end of a sand beach- McAllister
-Several Ko‘a were discovered to be sacred to certain fish. One of the Ko‘a were merely a pōhaku that sat at the edge of the water, however it caused a great attraction for mullet.
Ko‘a Hohonu
- Were the deep-sea fishing grounds, fishes that were called in this zone were called Kai ‘Uli‘uli and some of the fish consisted of Kahala, Ahi, Uku, and the Lehe. These spots were also Ko‘a Hūnā, hidden fishing grounds. A fisherman would rather be beaten to death rather than reveal these locations.
- Were the deep-sea fishing grounds, fishes that were called in this zone were called Kai ‘Uli‘uli and some of the fish consisted of Kahala, Ahi, Uku, and the Lehe. These spots were also Ko‘a Hūnā, hidden fishing grounds. A fisherman would rather be beaten to death rather than reveal these locations.
Simple Ko‘a
- One of the simplest examples of a Ko‘a resides on the island of Kaua‘i. It was nothing but a flat rock in which i‘a were placed upon.
- One of the simplest examples of a Ko‘a resides on the island of Kaua‘i. It was nothing but a flat rock in which i‘a were placed upon.
Ko‘a on Kaho‘olawe
-Archaeologist discovered nine Ko‘a on the island of Kaho‘olawe. Remains of a Ko‘a at Kamohio Bay show signs of considerable age and still contains the remains of offerings that were once left. On one of the five terraces, a wooden image along with an enclosure of stones that were smooth and water worn remained. Four tapa- wrapped stones and two stones without tapa were found South-east of the image. A stick fence wrapped in tapa was also found North-west and toward the back of the image, where a great amount of offerings and debris were also located, indicating a location that was used over a long period of time.
-Archaeologist discovered nine Ko‘a on the island of Kaho‘olawe. Remains of a Ko‘a at Kamohio Bay show signs of considerable age and still contains the remains of offerings that were once left. On one of the five terraces, a wooden image along with an enclosure of stones that were smooth and water worn remained. Four tapa- wrapped stones and two stones without tapa were found South-east of the image. A stick fence wrapped in tapa was also found North-west and toward the back of the image, where a great amount of offerings and debris were also located, indicating a location that was used over a long period of time.
References
Fishing Grounds, http://www.hawaiihistory.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=ig.page&PageID=377.
Greene, Linda. A Cultural History of Three Traditional Hawaiian Sites on The West Coast of Hawai‘i Island. Denver, Colorado September 8, 1992.
Kalae (South Point). https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/hawaii-big-island/regions/kau/ka-lae-south-point.
Ku‘ula, The Fish God of Hawai‘i. http://www.sacred-texts.com/pac/hft/hft24.htm.
Maly, Kepa and Onaona Kepa, Volume 1: Ka Hana Lawai‘a a me Nā Ko‘a O Na Kai ‘Ewalu. Kumu Pono Associates. 2003
Margaret Titcomb and Mary K. Puku‘i. Native Use of Fish. Honolulu, HI. U of Hawai‘i P 1972.
Marry Kawena Pukui and Samuel H. Elbert, Hawaiian Dictionary, U of Hawai‘i P. 1986.
Pukui, Mary Kawena. ‘Ōlelo No‘eau. Hawaiian Proverbs and Political Sayings. Bishop Museum Press. 1983.
Tate, Donnell. Abundant Fishing Grounds Were closely Guarded Secrets for Ancient Hawaiians.http://www.lahainanews.com/page/content.detail/id/533075/Abundant-fishing--grounds-were-closely-guarded-secrets-for-ancient-Hawaiians.html?nav=21.
Greene, Linda. A Cultural History of Three Traditional Hawaiian Sites on The West Coast of Hawai‘i Island. Denver, Colorado September 8, 1992.
Kalae (South Point). https://www.gohawaii.com/islands/hawaii-big-island/regions/kau/ka-lae-south-point.
Ku‘ula, The Fish God of Hawai‘i. http://www.sacred-texts.com/pac/hft/hft24.htm.
Maly, Kepa and Onaona Kepa, Volume 1: Ka Hana Lawai‘a a me Nā Ko‘a O Na Kai ‘Ewalu. Kumu Pono Associates. 2003
Margaret Titcomb and Mary K. Puku‘i. Native Use of Fish. Honolulu, HI. U of Hawai‘i P 1972.
Marry Kawena Pukui and Samuel H. Elbert, Hawaiian Dictionary, U of Hawai‘i P. 1986.
Pukui, Mary Kawena. ‘Ōlelo No‘eau. Hawaiian Proverbs and Political Sayings. Bishop Museum Press. 1983.
Tate, Donnell. Abundant Fishing Grounds Were closely Guarded Secrets for Ancient Hawaiians.http://www.lahainanews.com/page/content.detail/id/533075/Abundant-fishing--grounds-were-closely-guarded-secrets-for-ancient-Hawaiians.html?nav=21.