"The Council of Chiefs"
Collection of The Four Seasons Resort, Hualalai
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A council of chiefs discusses tactics before leading their commoners into battle. In the foreground, the man at right holds a weapon inset with shark teeth (lei o mano). Around his waist is a belly protector of strong matting decorated with feathers.

As Captain Cook's men learned from personal experience, the feathered capes and helmet were "battle apparel." The cape might be worn over the shoulders, but in battle it was pulled around the left side of the body and held forward with the left hand to snag a thrust from a dagger or the point of a thrown spear. In this position the right arm was exposed and free to wield a weapon. Feathers were black, white, red, yellow, green and the long rust-red and black feathers of the fighting cock. These were tied over a light netting of cord in a great variety of designs. In battle, the brilliant capes helped warriors identify and rally to their chiefs. Helmets made of strong. light weight basketry protected the head from the impact of stones shot from slings.

Pages 6, Ancient Hawaii