Ka‘ū News Briefs Friday, March 9, 2018

At Ka Lae, shoreline fishers can catch fish like mahimahi using "trash bag" or "kite fishing" methods. See description below. Photo from pifsc.noaa.gov

SOUTH POINTS' ABUNDANT MARINE RESOURCES are discussed in the recently released South Point Resources Management Plan by the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. In ancient Hawaiian days, fishing supported village life at South Point - Ka Lae was "one of the earliest settled areas in the Hawaiian Islands," the plan points out. 
     However, management of South Point and preserving its fishing grounds and the surrounding lands becomes a challenge for Hawaiian Home Lands as travel to South Point and Green Sands Beach becomes more popular with visitors and locals coming from more developed Hawaiian shorelines.
     According to the report, available to read online, archaeological surveys - some generations old - uncovered signs of extensive and long-time habitation along the coast, with much evidence of a heavy reliance on fishing. One estimate, recorded in the South Point Plan, says Ka‘ū may have been settled as early as the fourth or fifth century AD.  

The hoist and ladder at Ka Lae. A fishing pole can be see in the upper-right corner. Photo from DHHL report

ʻUlua is a popular catch at South Point,  particularly during the annual S. Tokunaga  ʻUlua Challenge

     Today, with occupied fishing villages gone, locals and visitors still catch reef and ocean fish, lobster, and crab at Ka Lae, using a variety of methods; from fishing with poles from the cliffs, to throwing net, setting net, and spearfishing.     Fishermen free dive and SCUBA dive. Their boats leave the South Point ramp for deep sea fishing for ahi, mahimahi and marlin, and to visit favorite dive spots. Some people launch canoes, with small sailing canoes fast enough to troll for big fish.
     Fishermen arrive from around the island and beyond, set up camp, and secure their heavy fishing poles to the South Point cliffs to shorecast for ʻulua - giant travally. On June 7-10, many fishermen will enter S. Tokunaga Store's annual ʻUlua Challenge, choosing South Point as their favorite fishing spot.

Local and visiting fishermen on the cliffs at South Point. Photo by Julia Neal

   Line fishing from the South Point cliffs can involve kite fishing and sending tiny sailing rafts out to sea, trailing hook and bait. Some sails are as simple as garbage bags that catch the wind and carry the raft offshore. When the fish bites, the fisherman uses a rope to pull in the raft and lift the catch from the ocean.
     The hoist and ladder at the end of South Point Road aid in hauling fish up the steep cliffs.
     Fishing goes on day and night at South Point, presenting a management challenge for the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands in its quest to preserve South Points' natural and cultural resources, as well as the continuing fishing tradition.
     The report points out that in ancient times, much fishing was by canoe, with mooring holes carved in rocks to tie the canoes to the cliffs and shore. At beaches, fishermen hauled canoes onto the sand.
     Fishing villages were settled around South Point, according to their access to the ocean and their protection from the winds. Their remains include house platforms, walls and fishing shrines, ancient carved fishing hooks and stone weights, as documented in the South Point Plan.
     According to evidence left in ancient and historic settlement sites, the eastern portion of South Point supported more habitation structures, near protected coves and bays like Kaulana, where the boat ramp is now located, the report states.

Highlighted portions show planned walking improvements. Kaulana is listed as Kaulani. Map from DHHL report

     The late Tommy Kaniho, who lived and ranched on Department of Hawaiian Home Lands just inland from South Point, told interviewers working on the South Point Plan that Kaulana Bay was a traditional place for camping and fishing, as Kamilo Bay is now. He also mentioned that there was a wharf near the lighthouse. "From Kaulana to Ka‘alualu, people would surround net, lobster net, lay net at night and check the next day, and even turtle net." Kaniho said that fishermen used to feed ko‘a to kū‘ula - the fishing god - "when they'd go throw-net. Today, people mostly fish off boats, catching marlin and tuna off the coast which is very deep water," said Kaniho. He noted that commercial fishermen at South Point usually sell their catch in Hilo.
     Kaniho said it used to be easier for locals to drive along the shores of South Point and fish "but people started abusing the road." He described the road as "really bad especially when it rains."
     Fishing villages were also located on the west side of South Point. The DHHL report mentions Kaʻalo, at the mouth of Kahawai Kolono Stream, as known for its good fishing.

     Fishing plays an important role in stories of Hawaiian chiefs who lost their lives in Ka‘ū. Historian David Malo (1793–1853), Mary Kawena Pukui and Laura C. S. Green, wrote of abusive ali‘i Hala‘ea and Koihala, who reportedly stole from fishermen, forced them to sail during poor weather, and starved them while wasting fish.

Example of a Hawaiian fishing hook, made to be worn as jewelry. Photo by Cate Brooks

     From Malo, in the 1951 edition of Hawaiian Antiquities (Moolelo Hawaii): "The work with which (Koihala) made the people of Ka‘ū sweat and groan was the building of the heavy stone walls about several fishponds, of which are mentioned those at the coast of Hilea, at Honuapo and Ninole. He also robbed the fishermen of their fish. The story is that he compelled his canoe men to paddle him about here and there where the fleets of fishing canoes were. The wind was bleak and his men suffered from the wet and cold, he being snugly housed in the pola (platform or high seat between the canoes of a double canoe).
     "One day he had his men take his canoe out towards the south cape where there was a fleet of fishing canoes. His own canoe, being filled with the spoils of his robbery, began to sink; and he called out for help. The fishermen declined all assistance; his own men left him and swam to the canoes of the fishers, leaving him entirely in the lurch. He was drowned."

     See March 3, March 5, March 6, March 7, March 8, and future Ka‘ū News Briefs for more in the continuing series, covering the South Point Plan. See the 799-page plan online.

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Rollie Litteral, newly elected  President for the District 5 Precinct 1 Democratic party. Photo from Litteral

NEW NĀ‘ĀLEHU OFFICERS AND DELEGATES were elected during Democratic precinct meetings held statewide on Wednesday evening.
      For Nā‘ālehu, which is District 5 Precinct 1, President is Rollie Litteral, VP is Bob Martin, District Council Representative is State Rep Richard Creagan, Md., and Secretary/Treasurer is Marilyn Creagan. Delegates elected to the State Convention, which will be held for the first time on the BigIslandat the Waikoloa Hilton May 26-27, are Rollie Litteral and Marilyn Creagan.

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Rep. Tulsi Gabbard

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HABITAT FOR HUMANITY PLANS TO BUILD HOUSES IN KAʻŪ in the next fiscal year. The island-wide organization has helped several families in Ocean View to use their own sweat equity to help build and own their own homes.
     Support for Habitat can be offered by purchasing upcycled household goods, clothes, building materials, and other items at its store just off Hwy 19 at 73-4161 Ulu Wini Place, Bay 1, in Kona.
     Support can be volunteering at the 2018 Lavaman Triathalon, at Hilton Waikaloa Village on Sunday, March 25. Habitat for Humanity Hawai‘i Island will be in charge of the volunteers for the Run Course. Twelve volunteers are needed to help make sure the runners in the triathlon are taken care of and know where they're going. The shift will be from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Volunteers get a free race t-shirt, and lunch, drinks, and snacks. Interested? Contact Community Relations Coordinator Amanda MacIntosh at amanda@habitathawaiiisland.org, or call 808-331-8010 ext. 110.

FOUR DAYS OF PRAISE AND WORSHIP IN KA‘Ū, with Big Island Faith Crusade, at Ka‘ū District Gym, continue Friday and Saturday evenings, March 9 and 10, at 7 p.m.(Fri) and 6 p.m.(Sat.); and Sunday, March 11, at 9:30 a.m.
   Doors open one hour beforehand; free. Contact Thy Word Ministries Pastor Bob Tominaga at 936-9114 or Herb Schneider at 327-9739 for more information.
    Big Island Faith Crusade is the largest non-sporting event, to date, to take place at the new community gym and shelter. The next will be the Miss Ka‘ū Coffee pageant on Saturday, April 21.