He lawaiʻa no ke kai pāpaʻu, he pōkole ke aho; he lawaiʻa no ke kai hohonu, he loa ke aho.

A fisherman of the shallow sea uses only a short line; a fisherman of the deep sea has a long line.

A person whose knowledge is shallow does not have much, but he whose knowledge is great, does.

— ʻŌlelo Noʻeau #725

A lawai’a (fisherman) in Hawaiian culture holds a position of great responsibility and respect, carrying forward generations of traditional knowledge about the ocean and its resources. They are more than just people who catch fish – they are guardians of fishing practices, readers of natural signs, and keepers of protocols that maintain balance between humans and the sea. Their role requires them to understand the complex relationships between the moon phases, tides, weather patterns, and fish behavior, as well as the proper spiritual practices that honor their fishing ‘aumakua (ancestral gods).

The work of a lawai’a involves mastering many different skills and techniques, from crafting various types of fishing gear to knowing exactly when and where to fish. They create and maintain different types of ‘upena (nets), fashion makau (fishhooks) from materials like bone and pearl shell, and understand the proper use of tools like the lāʻau melomelo (bait sticks). Just as importantly, they must know when not to fish – observing kapu (restrictions) during spawning seasons and following protocols that ensure sustainable fishing practices. Through sharing their catch with the community and teaching the next generation, they help perpetuate not just fishing techniques, but also the cultural values that have allowed their communities to live in harmony with the ocean for countless generations.