The Story of the Makau

For thousands of years, cultures around the world have shaped fish hooks from the materials available to them that have spiritual significance, passing their meaning and traditions from one generation to the next.

This is the story that was shared with me when I was pōmaikaʻi—blessed—to begin making hooks of my own.

As the story goes, early Hawaiian fish hooks were carved from wood, shell, bone, and other natural materials. Some were made from the bone of a deceased ancestor, but not just any ancestor: one remembered for their skill and good fortune as a fisherman.

By using that hook to catch fish and provide for the family, the ancestor continued to sustain future generations. In this way, the hook became part of the circle of life.

It is believed that a hook carries the spirit of the material from which it is made, along with something of the spirit of the carver. When worn with respect—or given and received with love—it also takes on part of the spirit of those who hold it.

The makau becomes a connection between people, carried across time and distance.

Traditionally associated with strength, prosperity, safe passage, good fortune, and deep respect for the sea, the circular form of the makau reflects the enduring relationship between the ocean, the maker, and the person who carries it.