| Hawaiian culture considers sharks as one of the most | | | | because of Hawaii's conservation efforts. In Hanauma |
| important creatures of the sea. The Hawaiian | | | | Bay, for example, it is illegal to fish for sharks. |
| dictionary, in fact, lists nine revered gods of Hawaii | | | | One of the best places to go shark fishing in Hawaii is |
| that were associated with sharks. Some people also | | | | in Kona. Kona is situated between two large |
| believe that under certain circumstances, a dead | | | | mountains that reach up to 14,000 feet high. These |
| loved one could be reincarnated in the form of a | | | | mountains shield Kona from the trade winds, making |
| shark, known only by a special name. A shark can be | | | | it possible for anglers to fish for large sea creatures |
| an "aumakua", a guardian spirit that protects families. | | | | in calm ocean waters. |
| Sharks were also considered an important source of | | | | Sharks in Kona island, while not as popular as the |
| food and handy materials. The most commonly eaten | | | | marlin, still thrive in the waters and can be captured |
| sharks were the whitetip reef shark and the | | | | on special charter trips. Some sharks measuring |
| hammerhead, which are usually cut into strips, slated, | | | | 16-feet long have been caught on these charter trips. |
| dried and then cooked. Shark teeth and skin were | | | | Marlin lures have also attracted thresher sharks and |
| used for a variety of purposes such as musical | | | | many other kinds of sharks can be raised. Some |
| instruments, bowls, woodwork, weapons, knives, and | | | | other char trips offer fun fishing adventures such as |
| ceremonial objects. One proof of a man's bravery | | | | midnight shark hunts in places such as Oahu's South |
| and skill was his ability to catch the "niuhi," which is | | | | shore. Different species of sharks such as the tiger, |
| the name given to tiger sharks and great white | | | | hammerhead shark, sandbar shark and gray reef |
| sharks in Hawaii. | | | | shark can be caught. Captured sharks are released. |
| Small sharks are caught by netting or by having its | | | | Most charter trips are designed to allow thrill seekers |
| head petted until it becomes used to being handled. | | | | the excitement of catching this fearsome predator |
| Once they are accustomed to the angler's touch, a | | | | of the sea without harming the sharks or themselves. |
| noose is slipped around its gills. A large shark is caught | | | | Sharks are rather predictable creatures, which makes |
| by using hooks up to 12 inches long. These hooks are | | | | them easy targets. Some types of sharks migrate to |
| usually made of hardwood and are fashioned with | | | | the same areas year after year, so commercial |
| sharp bone points. | | | | fishers know exactly where and when to haunt |
| Tiger sharks are the most dangerous sharks in | | | | them. Some sharks are captured accidentally, as |
| Hawaiian waters. They are responsible for most of | | | | when anglers were trying to catch marlin or tuna or |
| the attacks on humans in the island. They come into | | | | some other species of fish. Although not currently |
| inshore waters during the fall, stay throughout spring | | | | fished in large numbers, 100 million sharks are caught |
| and move offshore when summer comes. Other | | | | by commercial fishermen worldwide. |
| sharks, like the sandbar sharks are seldom seen | | | | |