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A council of chiefs
discusses tactics before leading their commoners into battle. In the
foreground, the man at left holds a weapon inset with shark teeth (lei o
mano). Around his waist is a belly protector of strong matting decorated
with feathers. His companion holds a throwing spear (ihe) and a stone
headed club (newa). Throwing spears, long lances (pololu) and
wooden daggers (pahoa) are seen among the men in the background.
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.
Hawaiian tattoo designs were generally not as bold as those of the
South Pacific. At their first glimpse of Polynesians, some early Europeans in
the Pacific mistook Polynesian tattooing for tight-fitting clothing. Sailors
who admired the art returned to Europe sporting Polynesian tattoos. "Tattoo"
comes from the Tahitian tatau (Hawaiian kakau).
Page 47, Ancient Hawaii
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Link to mini-tour of Old Hawaii