 Sid Campbell is a tenth-degree black belt and teaches in the school of Shorin-Ryu karate-do in the United States. He is also the author of Warrior Arts and Weapons of Ancient Hawaii, and here he offers Martial Edge a detailed, comprehensive analysis of the ancient arsenal of the original Hawaiian warriors.
In the first installment of this three piece article we dwelt on the life, times and culture on the ancient Hawai’ian civilization. We must remember that until recently, the cultural lore of the ancient warriors of Hawaii was considered lost. This absorbing history documents the complex customs and military traditions of the ancient koa warriors, and the deadly tools they used in battles among the rival chieftains and kings. The warriors employed a wide array of deceptively simple but brutally effective weaponry, much of it unique to the islands and utilizing local materials such as shark teeth. Featured here are the main types used in combat from ancient times until the arrival of Captain Cook in 1778, including spears and daggers, slings, tripping weapons, stone pikoi weapons, strangling cords, and others, along with detailed explanations of how these enchanting but quite lethal weapons were employed.
In this article we will present the types and styles of weapons employed by the koa and lua warriors of yore. It should be mentioned from the outset that a Hawai’ian warrior attained the status of 'olohe’, or expert, by mastering the disciplines of hula and ku'i a lua (fighting arts, of the same name as the deity Ku'ialua). So highly regarded were these two sacred traditions, that each was said to stand in the shadow of the other. Hula acknowledged the dual nature of Laka-as the deity of forest greenery, healing and creative energy, and as Kapo, Laka's opposing, or negative, side. The fighting arts, honoring Ku'ialua, included instruction in the human anatomy and healing techniques, along with the numerous fighting holds or strokes, called 'ai’.
'Olohe dedicated to ku'i a lua formed an elite class of warriors who served as bodyguards to the chiefs. They had formidable "weapons"-well-placed strokes and holds that broke bones, dislocated joints and applied pressure to nerve centers and vital organs. Each 'ai, or hold, was known by a specific name that usually contained references to gods, chiefs, places, birds, sea creatures and other things found in nature or in material culture. These names were quite descriptive, and even poetic: "The loincloth of Chief Liloa," for example, or "The snout of the hog," or "The beauty of the evening rain of Manoa returns."
The weapons described in this article should attest to the prowess and abilities of Hawai'i's koa and should shed some light on just how ruthless, courageous and loyal these warriors really were. They were a breed apart from what we imagine and know what warriors are today. With nothing more than their hands and simple weapons-by today's standards-they put their life on the line with unhesitating fervor. Undaunted by threats or intimidation of a superiorly armed force from a rival kingdom of another island in the Hawaiian archipelago, these magnificent, well-trained militiamen knew not the meaning of fear or peril. They were groomed for fighting to the death in the name of their king. After all, they were the elite Hawaiian koa.
Lethal Weapons of Hawai’i’s Stone Age
Ancient Hawaiian warriors employed a wide array of weaponry, some not used anywhere else in the world. The ones that I have described are the main types used in combat. Although there were others such as the stone hand club-shaped somewhat like a flat hourglass and the ko’oko’o (cane) that was not used in warfare but was carried, after the wars were over, by those trained in lua kui-alua, they were still very effective and yet subtle weapons if you look at things that way.
It should be known and pointed out that many of the ancient weapons described herein are not in Hawaii anymore but exist in museums and private collections around the world. What is just as interesting is that early European and western world explorers were given gifts of weapons, and other artifacts, by chiefs, or traded other goods for them. If it had not been for these gratuitous deeds of goodwill, they too, most likely, would not exist otherwise.
I have ultimately discovered that those ancient warriors also trained in the once secret art of “lua” and were adept in the use of all weapons but their primary skill was in hand to hand fighting. Even today, many of the ‘ai’ techniques are not shown publicly and are kept secret. As you peruse this little known and most fascinating subject, you too will discover that the warrior training in ancient times, and the ‘ailolo (graduation) that would earn then right of passage to the status of a warrior was also sometimes are dangerous as the weapon training that they undertook. One such ordeal was intended to instill spiritual strength. Such was the case as the warrior, Kekuhaupi’o, whose teacher, Koaia, took him out in the deep ocean where he fought and killed a great niuhi (shark), almost twenty feet in length. He was then taken to a heiau (place of worship), dedicated to Lono (a major God), and ate the eye of the shark, thereby gaining its fearlessness and strength, attributes that he would exhibit and which would serve him well in future battles.
What is also rarely known about the warriors of that bygone era, long before the outside world knew of Hawai’i and it’s enchanted isles, were that some would kill someone close to them and control the ‘unihipili (person’s spirit) to do their bidding when they were engaged in combat for their king and ali’i tribal chieftain. In addition to that, it better helped them develop the “warrior spirit” and courage needed on the field of combat.
One must also keep in mind that many of Hawai’i’s weapons existed long before metal or metallurgy was introduced to the Hawaiian Islands. It was truly a time when the art of combat was truly up-close and personal. It was not a very sterile of impersonal affair. It was brutal, bordering on the edge of savage, and was not a game to be played for the feint of heart. The Hawaiian Ikaika (strength) warrior was indeed a true combatant that trained as if his king, his tribe and his island depended on it for survival against the threats of rivaling islanders and marauders.
Lest we forget, weapons have always been tools for man to use as a means for self-defense and protection against outside invasion. Though many of the weapons detailed in this article are no longer carried onto the battlefield, they remain as useful, symbolic tools that tell a story of the history of a once proud and noble culture.
A Brief Overview of Hawai’i’s Ancient Weapons
History reveals that in ancient times, it was evident that wars were frequent from the number of weapons found in the possession of natives and from the excellent condition in the way of which they were kept. Captain James Cook noted that, "Their instruments of war are spears; daggers, called pahooa; clubs; and slings." Noticeably absent were firearms of any sort or weapons that were constructed of iron or bearing metal components. What is also noteworthy is that the ancient Hawaiian warrior cultures did not use bows or arrows in their close-range weapon-fighting arsenal. These were mostly used by Kings as a sport that included, but not limited to, shooting rats.
Most explorers and historian-archivist that traveled the vast Pacific Ocean to Polynesia during the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries further recognized that the Hawaiian culture had spears, clubs, and slings like most ancient societies of the South Pacific realm. Of these cultures, however, only the Hawaiian Islands could lay claim as being unique with respects handheld daggers of various lengths and configurations.
Likewise, Hawaiian and Polynesian spears, with few exceptions, were made in one piece and were the weapons in most general distribution. In Hawai’i, spears appear to have been the most popular weapons in war, whereas; throughout the rest of Polynesia, clubs were the highly specialized weapons and each island group had a pattern of club that was purely local in form. Thus, it is intriguing to find that the Hawaiians had rather crude clubs which showed little attempt at decorative improvement. It is reasonable to assume that their preference for spears and daggers that led them to neglect clubs.
Hawai'i's Long Spears
Hawai’i ’s Long spears (pololu), apart from their length, were distinguished by enlargements on the butt end which are not present on the short spears. The spear points were flattened to form lateral edges that extended back for varying distances from the actual point. These types were sometimes classified as bladed points. The lengths could range between nine and eighteen feet.
Under scrutiny, it is evident that some of the shorter spears with the characteristic butt enlargement were shortened by cutting off a section at the point end and re-sharpening. On the other hand, there are a number of spears with a blade point and massive shaft, which lack the blunt butt end enlargement. In some, the saw cuts at the butt end are obvious and it is evident that some pololu spears have been shortened by cutting off the butt ends. Probably after the wars had ceased, some of the owners of such spears found their great length inconvenient for storage in their dwelling houses and so shortened them.
Hawai'i's Short Spears
Short spears (ihe) were for both thrusting and throwing, and the points might be either barbed or unbarbed.
The barbed spears were between six to eight feet in length, finely polished, and gradually increasing in thickness from the extremity to within about six inches of the point, which tapers suddenly and has four to six rows of barbs.
Carrying Spears
An interesting multi-function assortment of spears evolved during the Hawaiian era prior to the arrival of Cook’s expedition to the islands. These were typically referred to as; carrying spears that were essentially a carrying pole and spear combination
Butt End Appendages:
The butt ends of the pololu spears were left larger than the extension of the shafts in the preliminary shaping of the wood, and then trimmed down to the required form for the warrior that would eventually wield the weapon.
The carvers shaped these butt appendages into a number of forms. The commonest form is rectangular, the near and far ends of the four-sided enlargement being approximately the same in diameter but with concave surfaces.
Hawaiian War Daggers
The traditional Hawaiian name for the dagger is pahoa, and essentially describes instruments of this nature as short, sharp-pointed sticks, or dagger, which might be carried in the loincloth or attached to a wrist cord or waistband.
In the past, Hawaiian warriors regular wielded na ihe (spears) and many different types of daggers. These weapons were used to confront any kind of threat, as well as on the fields of battle.
In fact, early explorers noted that nowhere else, throughout Polynesia, had they found the use of the dagger, except in the Hawaiian Islands. The dagger played a prominent role because it could be easily carried and/or slipped into the waistband of the malo (male loincloth). Besides, daggers would strike much faster than big, heavy clubs. Among the many types of daggers were those made from Native Hawaiian hardwoods, such as kauila/kauwila (tree of the buckthorn family) and uhiuhi/käwa’u (tree with pink or red flowers and thin, broad, winged pods). These pähoa were sharpened at one or both ends and some had shark’s teeth imbedded in the pointed end to enhance their effectiveness. A broken spear, cut to the appropriate length, would serve as a dagger. The average dagger was about 18 inches long but could extend up to about 3-feet in length.
In most regions of the world where metal and ore are prevalent, the dagger has long been the weapon of choice for ultra-close range combat. Naturally, this was prior to the advent of the flintlock pistol or other such handheld firearm. In regions like the Hawaiian Islands, where metal producing ores did not exist in ancient times, woods, flint rock, bones and other non-ferrous materials had to suffice to accommodate the warrior’s needs for personal close-range protection.
What is interesting to note is that the Hawaiian dagger (pahoa) is a distinct weapon that was not found or used in other parts of Polynesia; but in ancient narratives are described instances in which a thatching needle, a broken spear point, or some similar implement was used to stab people to death. Such weapons were improvised for the occasion, and are not included as distinctive daggers as was the case in the Hawaiian Islands.
This is further corroborated by Captain James Cook, after documenting this interesting observation from two previous voyages. He notated this peculiarity of the fact that only the Hawaiian people had a weapon that resembled a dagger: Thus, stating that, "They have a sort of weapon, which we had never seen before, and not mentioned by any navigator, as used by the natives of the South Sea. It was somewhat like a dagger; in general, about a foot and a half long, sharpened at one or both ends, and secured to the hand by a string. Its use is to stab in close fight; and it seems well adapted to the purpose. Some of these may be called double daggers, having a handle in the middle, with which they are better enabled to strike both ways."
Although hardwoods found in Hawai’i are considerably dense, and the wood can be worked, carved or shaped to different lethal configurations, the fact that the dagger was not adequately suitable for cutting, these artfully divisive weapons were very effective in stabbing, poking, jabbing, and ripping attacks to the vulnerable areas of the enemy’s anatomy.
Dagger and Spear Tactics
Lua warrior’s victorious combative engagements were, for the most part, reliant on their ability to train seriously, understand fundamental weapon-fighting principles of offense and defense, and work together as a cohesive unit to defeat a rival clan. In some cases, double-team the enemy with the assistance of a comrade that was clever at using trickery, chicanery to deceive an equally adversary.
Authentic ancient Hawaiian daggers were made of such hardwoods as kauila, uhiuhi, or pua. However, some specimens in that ended up in museums and European collections were made from the bill of a swordfish, and after about 1790, some were made from iron procured from the early voyaging vessels, many of them shaped by the armorers of the ships.
According to the available information, the Hawaiians were not only unique in having daggers: they had five distinct types of dagger, with others, which are uncertain. The five types may be classified as follows: (1) truncheon dagger, (2) bludgeon dagger, (3) long-bladed dagger, (4) shark-tooth dagger, and (5) curved-bladed dagger. The swordfish bill is a natural form of the long-bladed dagger (?), and then there were unique ones shaped like wooden forks with two prongs or other oddly shaped multi-purpose utilitarian tools that could be used as daggers.
The False Daggers
The truncheon dagger may be compared to the end of a pololu spear that has been cut off square through the shaft two or three feet behind the point. It is distinguished from a broken spear point by a perforation near the middle to which a wrist loop is attached. With the hand grasping the middle, the pointed end may be used for stabbing and the blunt ends used like law enforcement baton for striking. It is interesting that the word truncheon is derived from the Middle English truncheon that means the shaft of a broken spear. Thus, the Hawaiian truncheon dagger and the police officer’s truncheon have been derived, independently, from a broken spear.
Traditionally, in the days of seafaring on the high seas, the marlinspike was an essential tool for splicing mooring lines, ropes, and other such lashing hawsers. It is probable that island natives that had served aboard ships learned the technique of splicing ropes and were familiar with its other utilitarian purposes. Aboard the British ships that visited Hawai’i, the marlinspikes were typically forged of iron but the “false daggers” devised by the Hawaiian warriors, these were primarily made of wood because they lacked the available metal for such devised instruments.
It should be pointed out however, that a number of wooden implements of this design have been erroneously considered daggers. These are easily distinguished by the round perforation hole of even diameter situated near the butt end. The point is long, slender, and rounded, instead of forming a flat blade. They range in length from nine inches to about sixteen inches. In addition, they are formed of hard wood similar to that used in daggers, but they were made for use as marlinspikes to discern between the two types, the dagger usually had a hole for a wrist cord and the marlinspike lacked this basic characteristic. However, both average ranged in diameter from about one inch at the butt end.
The Bludgeon Daggers
By technical description, these cleverly contrived weapons of war were shorter than truncheon daggers and the key to their identification is the enlarged head; the dagger point; and the perforation hole near middle in which attached a wrist cord. Of particular note is that the weapon is, in essence, a combined dagger and club, of simple but ingenious design. An ikaika “Koa” warrior, simply by reversing the grip on the dagger, could convert it to a club; therein the nomenclature “bludgeon.” This was all determined by the nature of the conflict and type of rival he might be forced to fight.
These insidious close-range weapons were originally made of very dense hardwoods, of nearly the same section throughout, but coming to a point at one end, while the other is stout enough to serve as a club. The loop of sinnet midway between the two ends insured that the warrior did not lose his weapon in combat. It also made it possible to reverse the grips without diminishing this retaining quality. This was done so by transferring the hand and the loop round it from one end of the weapon to the other.
Combatively, weapons that had duel purposes provided versatility that foreigners unfamiliar with their purpose and function may not appear as overtly threatening. Especially if they were accustom to wielding firearms and did not perceive natives bearing wooden club-like implements as any rivalry to their superior weaponry. Once, close enough to an enemy, the bludgeon club could be instantly converted to a dagger and inflict grave damage or devastating results without forewarning or precognition.
The warriors of Hawai’i, though limited to resources such as wood, stones, etc. devised many weapons and designs that were cleverly disguised in the fashion of the bludgeon dagger. Some also served their utilitarian needs while still providing adequate self-protection against foes that may underestimate their martial art potential.
It should be noted that the substantial weight of a heavy wood with a sharpened spike-like tip could provide the wielder with more impact force than could otherwise be administered by sheer brute physical strength alone. Of course, the sharper the dagger point, the less resistance would be required to penetrate the elasticity of the enemy’s skin.
Warriors or weapon-makers alike could find a natural knurly portion of a tree branch and carve it to the desired design and configuration of bludgeon dagger. From the shape illustrated in this graphic plate, it is obvious that this was indeed the case. These one-of-a-kind creations also surely added a personalized touch to the weapon that distinguished it from other dagger-clubs.
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