FISH GOD BELIEFS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 810, 2 November 1929, Page 30

FISH GOD BELIEFS

STILL PERSIST IN HAWAII OFFERINGS CONTINUE Ancient “fish gods” of Hawaii still retain their power to aid or hinder fishermen, according to the beliefs of many Hawaiian and Oriental followers of the Waltonic art. Though Hawaii has been for more than 100 years nominally Christian, any old resident can point out the hidden fish altars and relate that they are still used, says a Californian exchange. An unbeliever in this ancient magic recently visiting the Kohala coast of Hawaii, where the old customs linger to a greater extent than in many parts of the islands, relates that three schools of akule, a popular fish food, were sighted near the mouth of Kapanaia Bay. A fishing “hui" or association from the neighbouring port of Kawaihae came with its nets and surrounded a portion of the school. Two men, one a Chinese, the. other a Hawaiian," took a lease on the land through which all vehicles must pass to and from the fishing ground, and warned all fish vendors that one sack of fish would be levied upon each car going through the gate with fish for sale.

People from all parts of the neighbourhood approached the shore with bags for the akule, as the fishermen prepared to bring the fish in. Prospects were for a huge catch. But the old Chinese toll-taker looked on with disgust. “No good,” he said. “No can catch. He no give akua some fish.” The fishermen manoeuvred until they had a much larger school surrounded, in combination with the first. The people shouted in glee. But suddenly the akule broke loose, left the net, and headed for the open sea. No fish were caught. The fishermen had neglected to lay .offerings before the rough stone “akuah.-" the fish gods of the place.