Hawaiian Weapons and Implements
Prior to contact and because of the governmental systems of kings, chiefs, and lower chiefs, there was always conflicts over land and status.
Wars and battles were frequent. Most of the sporting games were also training for times of war.
The weapons made and used in Hawaii are greater in their type and form than in the South Pacific. When migration to Hawaii took place, the
weapons evolved into distinct forms.
Although many forms of weapons were used, the most popular were spears and daggers. Clubs were made but were plain and almost crude
compared to their highly carved and decorated South Pacific clubs.
Implements were also made for carving and cutting. The general rule is if more than two shark's teeth were used, they were classified as
weapons. If less than two were used, they were classified as implements.
|
Spears - These are 3 basic types but many forms of points.
|
Short Spears - IHE
|
|
From 5 to 9 foot long, diameters 1 to 1 1/2 inch
|
Long Spears - Pololu
|
|
From 9 to 18 foot long, diameters 1.2 to 2 inch
|
Carrying Spears - Pololu
|
|
Multi-purpose 11 foot long, diameters 1.5 inch
|
| |
|
|
Daggers - (Pahoa) Several Form Designators
|
Truncheon Dagger
|
|
12 to 36 inches, many point forms
|
Bludgeon Dagger
|
|
17 to 18 inches, many forms, club on one end dagger
on other
|
Long Bladed Dagger
|
|
16 to 35 inches, three basic forms
|
Shark Tooth Dagger
|
|
18 to 24 inches, two basic forms
|
Curved Bladed Dagger
|
|
15 to 25 inches, Kauai Isle only
|
Swordfish Dagger
|
|
12 to 33 inches, bill of the Swordfish
|
Eye Gouge Dagger
|
|
13 inches, only one known
|
| |
|
|
Clubs - (La'Au Palau) Several Form Designators
|
Smooth Headed Club
|
|
10 to 15 inches, four basic forms
|
Rough Headed Club
|
|
9 to 16 inches, many forms
|
Stone Headed Club (Nenewa)
|
|
18 inch (head), wood handle stone
|
Shark Tooth Club (Lei-O-Mano)
Solid Frame
|
|
7 to 30 inches, several types
|
Shark Tooth Club (Lei-O-Mano)
Open Frame
|
|
7 to 30 inches, several types
|
| |
|
|
Other Weapons
|
Tripping Weapons - Pikoi
Wood without handle
Wood with handle
Stone without handle
Stone with handle
|
|
|
Stone Hand Clubs
|
|
|
Slings - Ma'A
|
|
|
Strangline Cords
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Good Reference Books
|
Arts and Crafts of Hawaii
War and Weapons
by Peter H. Buck
Bishop Museum Press
|
|
Artificial Curiosities
by Adrienne L. Kaeppler
Bishop Museum Press
|
Na Mea Makamae
by David Young
Palapala Press
|
|
Feathered Gods and Fishhooks
by Patrick Vinton Kirch
University of Hawaii Press
|
Home Pendants Necklaces Earrings Bracelets Implements Shark-Tooth Weapons Wood Daggers Stone Head Clubs Marlin Bill Daggers Swordfish Bill Daggers Wooden Bowls
Wood Kitchen Utensils Shipping and Payment Info About Our Products
Wood Workshop Hawaiiana Links Artifact Origins About US
|
Email me at hawartifacts@gmail.com
Paul & Lynn Gephart
Hawaiian Artifacts
808-964-1729
P O Box 7430
Hilo HI 96720
|
