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Fish have been an important aspect of Hawaiian culture for thousands of years. The practice of fishing helped connect people to the natural world and reminded them their actions had a direct impact on it; it was also a societal “glue” that strengthened relationships between seaside and upland communities. Knowing their livelihood depended on having access to fresh fish, the ancient Hawaiians highly respected their environment and took great care in managing fair distribution of fish and seafood.

To truly appreciate Hawaiian culture, both then and now, it’s crucial to understand the role fishing played in society. Protecting the unique and fragile ecosystem continues to be an important issue in Hawaii, whether that means implementing sustainable fishing practices or protecting local and endangered wildlife.

Ancient Hawaiian Fishing Techniques

The ancient Hawaiians had many fishing methods that made use of hooks, baskets, and nets, depending on the species to be caught. People of all ages knew how to fish, and those who could do it well were highly respected. Even royalty participated in the pastime and invited the public to join them in Hukilau fishing, a technique for herding fish that involved casting a leaf-filled net into the water.

Environmental Harmony & Balance

fishA significant part of ancient Hawaiian philosophy was the concept of sustainable cultivation, aimed towards conserving resources as well as benefiting from them. Essentially, the ancient Hawaiians considered their own culture to be inseparable from the world around them. They strove to always respect and care for nature, believing this would result in nature being kind to them. In this way, fishing carried a spiritual significance for them.

Fair Distribution of Fish & Natural Resources

To ensure resources were fairly distributed, a system called ahupua’a was developed in Hawaiian society, which divided land between communities in such a way that each one had adequate shoreline and fishery access. Fishermen could then trade what they caught to upland farmers.

 

Honolulu, HI, fish market Tropic Fish Hawaii offers an enormous selection of seafood products and even ships throughout the United States, Canada, and Japan. For questions, give them a call at (808) 591-2936. Details about their selection are available on their website.

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