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Ethnobotany Track

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Video (45 min)

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Audio (in production)

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Presentation

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Documents

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A very significant part of the history of Hawai'i Nei concerns warfare between various Ali'i, islands, and districts. Chiefs were trained in the art of warfare, tactics, and weaponry from an early age as part of their necessary education. Weapons were commonly used from local woods including uhiuhi, and kauila. The full history of warfare, from the beginning of habitation of these islands, has faded into eternity. What is known, however, is that for a long period of time, beginning somewhere around 1100 A.D., through the early 1800's, warfare was a principle concern of the ruling chiefs. Hawaiians were armed with spears, daggers, clubs, and a wide array of other weapons, some found only in these islands. Foreign contact, in the latter of these years, had a tremendous impact on the way war was waged, with the introduction of cannons, muskets, pistols, armed ships and new tactics. Despite these changes, traditional weapons were used by the majority of combatants until the last battles were fought at Kuamo'o on the island of Hawai'i at the end of 1819 and at the battle called 'A'aipua'a (pig-eating), on the island of Kaua'i in August of 1824. 'lohe Lua A wa wa, La'akea Suganuma, talks story about these various traditional weapons.