I have no clue how I ended up here, but this is awesome. Experimental archeology, old weapon replicas, and cultural context are some of the most interesting things I can think of. Thank you sir.
Your comment reminded me of the Māori thrash metal band from NZ called Alien Weaponry. The name is a reference to what the locals must have been thinking when the colonizers showed up with guns and such.
LIke the Hawaiians, the Maori wanted muskets just as soon as they saw their effect. According to what I've read, a Maori warrior would nearly sell his soul to own a musket. It seems that part of that intense desire was the eventual near-necessity of having one due to the heavy inter-tribal warring, and then fighting the British troops. I suspect the band chose that name to liken themselves to the effect of a musket vs the prior weapons. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
In the Philippines, each ethnic group has their own set of swords and knives, each with various shapes, styles, construction and materials. I always appreciate traditional weaponry, and it's a treat to see weapons from other cultures especially those that aren't either Japanese or Western as those two are quite mainstream.
Phillipino swords, axes, knives, and blades in general are incredible in quality, diversity, and beauty and are so surprisingly overlooked and under appreciated. Amazing history of the influences and purposes behind each as well.
Yeah.. Asia so much more but the market always favor Japanese I want to see other culture and my culture as well man. I feel bad knowing more about other culture more than my own.
@@normaleverydayman7004 I feel you 100% brother, but all that knowledge, wisdom, history, culture&pride is just waiting for you to find it! Different culture but a similar boat you and I are both in, and I cant stress enough how worthwhile spending some time searching and connecting with these things is to oneself 🌎🌍🌏🌱💯
This is such a wonderful and informative video. Ive always been fascinated by the weapons of the pacific islands. The fact that they could create such beautiful and deadly designs without metal. Also your craftsmanship is incredible. At first I thought they were just weapons you've collected, but the fact that you made them all yourself is extremely impressive.
To me, the most fascinating weapons are those made of sword fish or marlin bills. I knew that sword fish would use their bills to stun or cut up prey, but I never thought a weapon could be made of it. I love learning about Hawaiian history and traditional culture, so I'd like to thank you for sharing some of your knowledge.
Your work is gorgeous! Your knowledge of the tools and arts, not just of war, but of craftsmanship, is obvious. Thank you for preserving it and sharing it with the world!
Mahalo (thank you ) for your fine comment, Bjorn. It has been a pleasure gathering this experience over many years, and now getting to share it more here at RUclips. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
I met you several years ago, and at that time, I had very little knowledge of ancient Hawaiian weapons, particularly the swordfish and marlin blades. Your skill and craftsmanship are a tribute to that culture and way of life. Mahalo.
Mahalo Greg. I've realized recently that the marlin-bill weapons are probably rare because a marlin was probably a lot harder for Hawaiians of old to catch than a swordfish. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
That stingray barb dagger with knuckle guard is essentially the same design as many WWI trench knives just in natural materials instead of brass & steel. You did a wonderful job on it too!
You're right, and isn't is astounding what some Hawaiian artisan of old used to apparently create a replica of some Spanish weapon he had seen back in the 1500s or so. And thanks for your fine comment. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
@@traditionalhawaiianculture yes it truly is. Many people see wood or stone weapons & font appreciate how much time & skill it can take to craft them. They often see a steel sword & understand better that it took time & skill to make but in some ways steel (or other metals) are easier to create with because you can bend, fold, melt & manipulate metals into the shape you want where often creating with wood or other natural materials you have to fine the right materials; can't just 'force' them to the shape you want. Like you were saying with the swordfish versus the marlin bill. A swordfish bill is naturally more useful than a marlin Bill and easier to obtain but what a wonderful weapon it makes!
The stingray barb dagger was also used by the ancient malays(and probably almost everyone in the Nusantara region,though I cant say for sure) but without the knuckle guard.
Wow this man has some serious, impressive historic weaponry. Ive never seen quite such a real life collection of this culture. This man and video is one of a kind. The medium hammer from a burnt bush in the middle is incredible. What a weapon!
Absolutely fascinating, I have interest in old melee weapons and armor but I’ve never seen a presentation such as this on Hawaiian weapons. Excellent video doctor
Searching for videos about South East Asian and Polynesian weaponry only to end up here. Very interesting work you do, sir. You earned yourself a subscriber.
I just wanted to say I genuinely enjoyed this video. It was great getting to see Dr Ka'imiloa discuss these weapons you can tell how passionate he is regarding them.
This is incredible! As a kid I saw these kinds of weapons at the Bishop Museum but never thought to try and make some. Thanks! My craftsmanship will never come close to yours, but it will be fun.
I was never into Hawaiian culture nor melee weapons, but I was instantly intrigued. Very well made and interesting video! Thank you for the immense amount of insisight, especially about the context of the weapons' design and their use!
I love the fast, concise delivery of information, and the astounding amount of knowledge. Excellent craftsmanship, as well. This is a fantastic video. Thank you, sir.
Superb craftsmanship !! , I like the way you use the natural form of the woods , each piece a deadly weapon , the wounds inflicted must have been horrendous , in the hands of warriors trained from a young age , these are battles I gladly missed !!.
Mahalo for the fine compliment. Not only did the Hawaiian warriors have some unusual weapons, but their skill level with them, if of chiefly rank and therefore having lots of training from an early age, must have been phenomenal!
@@traditionalhawaiianculturewhat kinda horrors did the Japanese commit in the Hawaiian Islands that had us looking like life preservers to the islanders?
Hawaii had a very mixed population by 1941 when the Pearl Harbor attack occurred, but such an attack had been anticipated for 20 years or more. Thanks to a major defeat of the Japanese Navy at the Battle of MIdway, at the far northwest of the whole island chain, including losing four aircraft carriers, I have no doubt that the Japanese would have attacked the Main Hawaiian Islands and probably occupied at least some of them. In the first three years of the war, the U.S. had 15,000 troops on those islands, and there was very disheartening martial law for all civilians. Aloha, Kaimiloa
@@jgvtc559we're talking about Japanese now? Do you really need to say such things to feel better about yourself xD I love this country too but that's just pathetic.
Aloha and Mahalo for making this awesome video. I lived on oahu in kaneohe bay as I was stationed there while in the marine corps. I loved it instantly! I wish I could have stayed. I miss it so much 😢 I am making a long war sword called "lei o manō". Since I live on the east coast, shark teeth are very hard to come by so I substitute the teeth with thick shells and cut and shape them to look like shark teeth. The wood I will be using is pine as it what's available for me and easier to work with hand tools on. It will not be used for violence. Just a decorative wall hanger. 🤙Mahalo
Mahalo for your reply. That is very admirable of you to be making a lei o manō. If you want to, you should be able to get Tiger shark teeth on the internet, and if there is any choice, you want the ones with the more raised and apparent ''point", and about 1 to 1 1/8" wide. See if you can find some scraps of ordinary mahogany wood, maybe at a cabinet-making place, for the wooden part. Aloha, ka'imiloa
Outstanding, I actually make these and other Polynesian weapon's Some of these I have never seen! And am going to make. Excellent description and great information. Thank u sir!
This is as fascinating and informative as it gets. I would love to be able to go to Hawaii and experience all it's beauty and culture. The hardwoods available there are absolutely stunning and seem so great and dense. As a woodworker, someone who has a great appreciation for culture, and absolutely loves the sea, this video certainly has me off in dream land. Thank you for the insight.
Being raised in a native American museum for the first five years of my life, I love this type of hand craft, history, and spirituality. Mystiscym. I subscribed.
There is a lot of spirituality in the Hawaiian culture, and poetic plus double-meaning wording in the language and chants. And the concept of "mana" in humans, created items and sites. It is not unlike Native American beliefs. I love it all. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Mahalo, Christefer. I can give you a good bit of information and advice about making Leiomanō and working with sharks teeth if you like. You'll find a "contact us" page at our cultural nonprofit's website by simply typing-in hawaiian-culture.com at Google. You've probably already studied the information in the weapons section of "Arts and Crafts of Hawaii". Priceless book! Aloha, Ka'imiloa
What an amazing assortment of weapons. You truly show your love and appreciation for this unique culture, and it's traditional crafts. I find it so interesting to see how a culture wich had no access to either metal or any glass-like minerals like flint or obsidian, or any large mammals with antlers, still found materials that filled similair roles .
Thanks for your comment. Yes, the Hawaiians were so separated from other cultures, yet they produced a great number of unique items and my count so far is 46, but there will be more! This is a particular thing that got me so interested in figuring out how they did things despite such limited resources and no metal. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
@13:32 looking at it on the couch i thought the wood club was a femor bone of some large animal. distorted and deformed. what a beautiful piece of wood.
Was watching a documentary on Kimbo Slice, and this was the next video. I lived in Hawaii for 10 years while in the service, I loved it, loved the culture, the people, the nature. Its like youtube knew I was missing the place. Thanks brother
Amazing craftsmanship, and all without metal tools or possibly even flint type stone? The polynesians achievments with stone age technology were fantastic, it's fascinating to learn how they overcame every obstacle to settle the entire pacific and beyond.
Good commentary, Ken. Yes, I am continually amazed at what the Hawaiians could accomplish without metal tools, very little obsidian, and no flint-type stone. Basalt can be flaked by strong percussion, but not pressure flaking. Those people of old who could so amazingly shape basalt by percussion and then grinding deserve the greatest praise. Aloha Ka'imiloa
@traditionalhawaiianculture the intricacy of some of the woodcarving is just jaw dropping, I assume they must have used Shark teeth or hard coral where stone was not available?
Sharks teeth, both large and small, made all sort of instruments, tools, knives and weapons. The Hawaiians did not use hard coral or large pieces of clam shell to make adze blades and the like (a they didn't have the giant clam of the South Pacific anyway), but I have made a couple of good small chisels out of hard coral and assume the Hawaiians of old did so too. Good basalt was available on all the main islands of Hawaii as far as I know, so that was usually not a problem. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
So intriguing! I rarely stumble on the chance to see such an interesting presentation from someone so passionate in the topic! Great pronunciation near the start of the video!
Mahalo for your kind comments, especially about my faltering 'Ōlelo Hawaii. We had to move to the Mainland 20 years ago due to the VOG on the Big Island where we were living, but we brought all our Hawaiian things with us. I learned Hawaiian back in the 1980s to be able to translate for myself, but we were never exposed to much actual speaking back then, and of course the chance for speaking is far less now because of where we live (central Arizona), whereas the spoken language is all over the place in Hawaii now. Nui no ko'u aloha i ka 'ōlelo hawaii, aka, ka'u 'eke i ka hua 'ōlelo he 'eke līli'i wale no! Auwē! Thus, the Hawaiian dictionary remains as my trusty and beloved aid, and I still translate for myself and for research, and I occasionally haku oli. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
I didn't realize the hawaiian's had so much diverse weapons. Interesting how even though their weapons are uniquely made, there are still similarities with other weapons (e.g. swords, knives, clubs, shanks, knuckle dusters) etc... really impressive. This man did a great job educating me on Hawaiian weapons. Unrelated point - I love his passion, his joyful eyes when looking at these weapons.
Thank you for your kind comment. And I'm pleased with your close observation -- I didn't realize that my fondness for these things, and the many more re-created Hawaiian cultural items over the years, showed in my eyes! Aloha, Ka'imiloa
So many similarities between these and the metal weapons of Eurasia. Really makes me wonder what non metallic weapons inspired early copper and bronze types but are now lost to history. Really fascinating video.
I sure got a kick out of your comment! That was Hawaiian language, just telling a bit about myself for those who understand it. There are quite a number of such people in Hawaii now, and elsewhere, thanks to the "cultural renaissance" which began back in the 70s and then various Hawaiian language schools started up in the 80s and they continue today. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
I lived on the island where the canoe's from Hawaii first landed in NZ that turned into the Maori . There were stones walls and burial sites all over the island we used to get coconut wash up sometimes.
Kiwi proud....I like that. One of the founding Tribes in Aotearoa, to best of my knowledge, says they came from South Point (Ka Lae) on the Big Island of Hawaii. That is far, far away. Yet an early Missionary, William Elllis, touring the Big Island looking for the best sites for a Mission Station in 1823, I believe, wrote about a village place near Ka Lae, and said that the people there had more tattoos than the others he had seen in Hawaii, though crudely done, and some were tattooed on their chin. That last statement struck me. I believe there was far more voyaging in older times than many are able to accept. And indeed, the long-time story was that Polynesians could not have sailed to all the inhabited places in the vast Pacific, and it was accidental voyaging. That was the established paradigm -- until the recreated Hawaiian voyaging double canoe Hokule'a sailed clear to Tahiti in the 1970s without modern navigational equipment, with a gathered crew not possibly as good as an ancient one. The arrival of Hokule'a in Tahiti drew the largest crowd ever seen there. And now the paradigm is completely obliterated, with multiple Polynesian groups having competent voyaging canoes and crews once again. Hawaii proud, myself. Mahalo (thanks) for writing.
@@traditionalhawaiianculture it amazed me hearing you speak,I'm not a Maori speaker really but I noticed similar sounds in what you were saying. Before the Maori became the dominant race or tribe in NZ there were the moreore which the Maori concurred, there are also legends of other people's so me personally knowing how great the ancient people's were at navigating currents, watching the sea life . I think there must have been multiple expeditions back in the day . It amazed me we also had a few dead turtles wash up on great mercury island,if they had a knowledge of currents like we do roads then they would see the turn offs to different places and if there was one you knew no one has gone down before why wouldn't you try . Somthing else you said about using the pike to pole volt over ditches, well the Maori are famous for trench warfare. Did the Hawaiians build like hill forts that consisted of trenches, earthworks and Palisades that they would only build in times of war , or a tribe would have one up on a hilltop or cliff but a village down in the valley near the water and crops ? Or were they more permanent lived in stone built fortified villages ? If you don't mind me asking. There's also a legend where the kumara ( sweet potato) got a blite and a chef had to send a person on a big bird to Hawaii to get more seed kumara . These stories are more fact than fantasy in some ways sometimes there must have been trade and exploration trips all around by multiple peoples .
@@kiwiprouddavids724 Great observations and questions, David. If you want to read a lot about old time Hawaii, read "The Journal of William Ellis", which has another title too. It has been reprinted and is also available at used-book sites like Alibris.com and Abebooks.com. Ellis was a Missionary who had spent 7 years in Tahiti and thus was fluent in Tahitian language. Hawaiian was quite similar and he readily learned it when he came to Hawaii because of his wife's illness. Thus, on his extensive travels on Hawaii's Big Island in 1823, he was able to directly talk with chiefs and commoners alike, at a time when relatively few of the people had ever even seen a foreigner. And he wrote is all down. Priceless! No, the Hawaiians did a lot of fighting, but did not have earthworks, palisaded Pa, tall fences and gates, forts, etc. That's largely because by the time muskets were readily available to thousands of warriors as in Aotearoa, King Kamehameha had previously already unified all the Islands by the earliest 1800s and thus there was peace at last. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
@@traditionalhawaiianculture thanks so much, I've just been watching your other videos on stone working .I like bone carving as a hobby and I have tried to make a small adze before but gave up ,what you have done is amazing .like you say things have a mana to them the bone and things that I work with usually tell me what it wants to be. I will have to do some more research into Hawaiian culture, I think like you I like learning about those old skills , traditions and legends. I'd love to learn one-day how to make a feather cloak,but that octopus lure blew my mind I'd never seen one before I have learned a little about them today . Thanks again , takes great mana to do what you have done 👍
@@kiwiprouddavids724 To you, David, and other viewers/seekers I'll offer this: please watch the two-part video from around 35 years ago on this site. It's an overview of old time Hawaiian culture and its arts and crafts. What is different for any person like me, many years later, is this: More experience and more knowledge -- assuming the same path has been followed. But also....more mana. That is a Polynesian concept, mysterious to many, and yet it is both real and valuable. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
I can't prove any Hawaiian blood, but my genes, beliefs and activities sure do think it's there! After 250 years of ancestry-mixing within the culture (that's at least ten generations), you'd be surprised how many light-skinned some Hawaiians are today. That doesn't change the mindset. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
This was wildly fascinating! Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video explaining these weapons and their history. It’s interesting to see parallels between European design and Polynesian design (with some designs being somewhat universal, apparently), as well as the Hawaiians taking inspiration from the weapons they might have come across from explorers. Awesome find, much appreciated!
Dr. Chrisman, it seems the algorithm has favored you recently. I suppose even AI can get it right now and again and thank goodness it did! This informational, personal sit down style presentation led me to a greater understanding of your culture and the amazing weaponry. As others have stated I too would like to see you produce a video on the warfare tactics of Hawaiian tribes and how, if at all, they differed.
Thank you for your fine comment. Yes, I don't know how the algorithm got fired up, but maybe it was because of the percentage of comments. So the number of views has shot up in the past couple of weeks, plus new subscriptions. I replied to another viewer that the Hawaiians did have plenty of warfare between large districts or the islands themselves, once the population got really large in about the 1400s, but they did not have separate Tribes as in the much larger islands of New Zealand. So the warfare tactics were essentially the same, until Kamehameha the First became wealthy thru shrewdness with the newcomers, and thus accumulated thousands of muskets, and a scattering of at least smaller cannons. Mostly hand-to-hand fighting, tho. They even had the bow but did not use it for fighting - only for a rat-shooting sport by the Chiefs. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Thank you sir for this video, I am of Hawaiian descent and I find traditional Hawaiian life interesting and I am glad I found this video upon these weapons
Don't know how I got here but man this is so cool, I've been to Hawaii and find the culture really cool but had no idea they had so many weapon types,, and you've done incredible in recreating them
This takes me back to a collection of Maori weapons I had the pleasure of viewing many years ago. Many of them were hardwood as well, with jade and shark teeth for piercing/slashing points, as well as clubs (one made entirely of jade). You can see continuances in both peoples' weapons from their common ancestors, and they are all beautiful as well as deadly. Thank you for sharing this collection
much thanks for your good remarks. I just got back from a cultural trip to Aotearoa (New Zealand). A marvelous experience amongst the Maoris. Yes, their old time workmanship in wood, stone, whalebone and teeth, and jade is utterly outstanding. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
From the FIRST ITEM shown, this was so interesting....they had their own version of brass knuckles, except maybe deadlier. Thank you brother, for sharing the tradition. 👍
Thanks for commenting. I certainly have respect for Scotland and its history. I'm descended from Robert the Bruce and my given name is that, Bruce, tho I much prefer my Hawaiian name. My brother's name was Scot. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Very cool, sir. I love these shark tooth weapons that you're showing us here. Excellent work, and thank you for your fascinating explanations. I would be interested to learn more about Hawaiian fighting techniques and martial arts, if you have more information to offer on that.
Thanks for your good comment, and questions. The Hawaiian martial art was called Lua, and it had almost died out til resurrected to a degree in the 1970s and 80s, to the best of my knowledge. But many of the aggressive and defensive moves are known only by name now. It was a very complex and deep art, and even today the training is complex and multifocal. The males of the Chiefly class (Ali'i) got extensive training in warfare and weapons use, including dodging and parrying of spears, and even dodging slingstones. King Kamehameha was famous for having caught, dodged or parryed seven spears thrown at him at the same time by seasoned warriors. Running, leaping, even pole-vaulting over terrain features or gullies during battle, using the strong Hawaiian pike called pololū, which was 12 to 18 feet long, were all taught. Sometimes "cliff-jumping" too, to escape. But the fighting was primarily hand-to-hand. I'm sure most of the commoners conscripted at war-time were no match of the highly experienced warriors and Lua fighters. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Mahalo for your nice comment. My wife and I have been to Aotearoa twice and love both the land and the people. We will be going again before long, and spend more time with the Maori. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Very beautiful weaponry and fantastic craftsmanship. These weapons look a little bit more sophisticated than the weapons my Native tribe ancestors in the Eastern US would have used. They made very effective weapons as well, but these are made out of such beautiful materials. Thanks for sharing, sir.
I like the similarities between the Hawaiian clubs and Meso american clubs, ones used shark theeth while the others used obsidian shards to make kind of similar but very distinct weaponry, very cool video and explanations, salve from Spain !
Amazing to have someone so knowledgeable explain things in a direct way. I had no idea they made weapons like these. Hawaii had not only fierce warriors, but genius craftsman as well.
Mahalo for your fine comment. I wrote a reply a short while ago, but for some reason it apparently didn't go thru. No one else has commented on the Hawaiian language words, and I am very rusty at speaking it due to living on the Mainland now for health reasons. I do love 'olelo Hawaii, tho! Aloha, Ka'imiloa
@@traditionalhawaiianculture I spend a lot of my time inthe mountains of Philippines, where tradition skills and crafts are still valued, It so important that things are not lost to time and neglect, all the best to you ,
Wonderful video, I found the mention of finding a solution to crafting the small shark toothed axe in a dream very interesting. Its a situation you see a lot from craftsmen in the historical record, for example Zozimos of Panopolis received dreams on alchemy that were a vital part of his process. Its very interesting to see that process of oneiric inspiration continue through the dreams of a true craftsman.
Thanks for the very interesting reply. I have received a great many replies and almost all were fun or notable to read. Yes, I've had at least two other "dream teachings" that I can recall -- both related to how to do old time Hawaiian things in the old way. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Amazing video, in my area of the southwest we have a lot of basalt as well. Some of the fine grain stuff knapps pretty well. Incredible to think it was vital for the use of manufacturing wood working implements on the islands. For the natives in our area it was much more of a complementary rock. We have plenty of quality obsidian, chert and more in our area. But in Hawaii stone that conchoidally fractures is scare besides obsidian and basalt. (I’m not sure if you guys had a significant amount of dacite.) So it’s vital for making woodworking tools like adzes where you can really get more bang for your buck. Reminds me of how some cultures utilized blade core technology to try and stretch all their lithic resources. Much love from the mainland and I hope you keep making those breathtaking works of art. You have a real talent. As much as any skilled stone worker. Those are the hawaiian version of fluted folsom points. Be proud of them. It’s a very under appreciated area of history and it deserves more recognition. You are doing such important work to bring it to light.
That sure was a good and detailed comment, and I appreciate it. In Hawaii, material to conchoidally fracture was pretty much limited to basalt. I've found a little obsidian but never any large pieces, and once found two or three little pieces of what I'd call chert on Lana'i island. There was some mighty fine basalt in a few areas tho, like the fop of Mauna Kea mountain on the Big Island, which had a mini-glacier long ago. I don't know what dacite is, tho. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
@@traditionalhawaiianculture Thank you for such a quick and detailed response. So interesting to think about what they did limited to those resources. Dacite is a more opaque volcanic rock that has high silica content and conchoidally fractures but is a bit tougher than obsidian. I personally prefer working with it even though it’s rarer in my area than obsidian. It doesn’t step fracture or crumble as easy. I’m very much so a beginning knapper so that is helpful to me. It is similar to obsidian or basalt but not the exact same thing. Thanks again for the great work looking forward to forward projects-John
Thanks, John. I think that what I was able to find a good bit of 20+ years ago near a smaller volcanic dome on the West side of Hawaii's Big Island was what you are calling Dacite -- or at least part of it was. I've always just thought of it as a poorer quality, more opaque type of obsidian. I do see stones that look intermediate between obsidian and basalt at times, too - and in both Arizona and Hawaii. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
I absolutely LOVE traditional weapons. I collect them when I can. I don't have any wooden or organic based weapons, but you have given me an interest to get some one day. Thank you!!!
His replicas are insane, Dr. Chrisman should be proud of himself; genuinely impressive stuff I definitely wish more people were creating accurate weapon reconstructions.
The weapon seen at 4:11 is very similar to the mesoamerican macuahuitl, which I find very interesting. I have always been in love with different cultures as well as their traditional weaponry, so I am very thankful to have come across this video!
Thank you for your good words. It's interesting that "macuahuitl" sounds like a Polynesian word. And despite several hundred years of place-name changes influenced by newer peoples, there are quite a number of Polynesian-sounding place names on maps showing the western side of lower Mexico and Central America Aloha, Ka'imiloa
@@traditionalhawaiianculture That's very interesting! Thank you a lot for your insight, I never knew that. If you haven't made one already, I think it would be very nice to see a video about Hawaiian spiritual beliefs.
I've been concentrating mostly on how to make Hawaiian things in the old time way, but the first talk, in two parts and from about 29 years ago, covers a whole lot of cultural bases. So yes, doing a video before long on Hawaiian spiritual beliefs would be a very good idea. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Super interesting video..I've seen similar weapons for Torres Strait and far North Australia, swords made from saw shark bills and hard word clubs embedded with Tiger shark teeth..looking forward to learning more in your next show. Thank you..subscribed 🤙
Thank you for showing your beautiful collection Sir. I love the face on the club. I find the connection between the stunning stingray dagger and the old spanish sword interesting and very relevant to my own practice. May I ask what lead you to the connection between the two? /Zeke
Good question: Some notable research insists that the Spaniard Guitano (if I'm recalling the name right) discovered the Hawaiian Islands in 1542, and made a map that purposely had the longitude and latitude off by about ten degrees. Meanwhile, the oral tradition of the Kealakekua area on the Big Island tell of a shipwreck there in the time of the High Chief Lonomakahiki. By my calculation, that happened about the same time. Two people, one male and the other female, swam ashore and knelt a long time on the beach. Both things suggest Spanish Catholics. This event was still in the regional idioms 240 years later, highly suggesting it is true. I know what the Spanish weapons of those times looked like, and also that the stingray-dagger is utterly unique amongst Hawaiian weapons, yet it bears a close resemblance to the Spanish fighting daggers of that era, except for the open-work iron hand guard. Perhaps the Hawaiian dagger once had a handguard of gourd shell to mimic that. This theory does make some sense, if you know the old time history in detail, and thus the story all falls into place after many years of study and discovery. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
@@traditionalhawaiianculture Yes sir! I'm thankful for you being so kind and responding. We are all thankful for you. Please continue to spread your love and knowledge not to mention you are a great teacher as well. This planet needs you! ❤️🙏! Sending all love from Saint Louis Missouri!
@@traditionalhawaiianculture wow. Yes sir thank you!! 😁😊 Thank you for taking time out your day to respond and giving a awesome response. Don't make'em like you anymore. Have a great day, you and everyone that's a part of this page. 🙏☮️
This is a really interesting video. Thank you for sharing! What Hawaiian weapon would you recommend for a contemporary international traveler who has to go thru security, immigration, check points, and other forms of oversight?
Cook was stabbed with a dagger, and to best of my recall, it was thought to be one of the iron daggers made by Cook's blacksmith as a trade item much desired by the Hawaiians, who -- prior to the prior year when he came upon Kaua'i Island -- had no usable metal and were literally a stone-aged culture. But a very advanced one. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
I sure appreciate your comment. I have just been teaching, and not asking for subscribers, the they are coming right along in numbers anyway. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Back in June 2009 I was visiting Honolulu. At the Ala Moana shopping center there was a Hawaiian handicrafts business. There were these types of weapon reproductions for sale like swordfish daggers. Was this the same craftsman as in this video?
There are lots of craftsmen now making replicas of old time Hawaiian weapons. I don't know who made my long swordfish sword, it was something I purchased at a cultural event. I made almost all the other weapons, as the video's description and the video says. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
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I have no clue how I ended up here, but this is awesome. Experimental archeology, old weapon replicas, and cultural context are some of the most interesting things I can think of. Thank you sir.
Your fine reply is much appreciated.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Your comment reminded me of the Māori thrash metal band from NZ called Alien Weaponry. The name is a reference to what the locals must have been thinking when the colonizers showed up with guns and such.
I like snakes but culture is a close second
LIke the Hawaiians, the Maori wanted muskets just as soon as they saw their effect. According to what I've read, a Maori warrior would nearly sell his soul to own a musket. It seems that part of that intense desire was the eventual near-necessity of having one due to the heavy inter-tribal warring, and then fighting the British troops. I suspect the band chose that name to liken themselves to the effect of a musket vs the prior weapons.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Same, this is great!
The old school camera work for the introduction was epic!! Everything about this video was superb
Your comment sure did brighten my day, Lak. Much thanks!
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
@@traditionalhawaiianculture you are very welcome cousin!! Much love and respect Basse^ Cha’
Fells like public access television from the 80s. I loved it.
Videos like this are why RUclips exists. You're a treasure, thank you for sharing your knowledge and passion with all of us.
Mahalo (thanks) for your fine comment.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Right? Before youtube we could read books or watch documentaries. Some of which might be complete rubbish. This is much cheaper, much more accessible.
Thanks for your thoughtful comment.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
In the Philippines, each ethnic group has their own set of swords and knives, each with various shapes, styles, construction and materials. I always appreciate traditional weaponry, and it's a treat to see weapons from other cultures especially those that aren't either Japanese or Western as those two are quite mainstream.
Phillipino swords, axes, knives, and blades in general are incredible in quality, diversity, and beauty and are so surprisingly overlooked and under appreciated. Amazing history of the influences and purposes behind each as well.
Thank you for your good commentary.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Yeah.. Asia so much more but the market always favor Japanese
I want to see other culture and my culture as well man. I feel bad knowing more about other culture more than my own.
Assassins creed in ancient polynesia
@@normaleverydayman7004 I feel you 100% brother, but all that knowledge, wisdom, history, culture&pride is just waiting for you to find it! Different culture but a similar boat you and I are both in, and I cant stress enough how worthwhile spending some time searching and connecting with these things is to oneself 🌎🌍🌏🌱💯
This is such a wonderful and informative video. Ive always been fascinated by the weapons of the pacific islands. The fact that they could create such beautiful and deadly designs without metal. Also your craftsmanship is incredible. At first I thought they were just weapons you've collected, but the fact that you made them all yourself is extremely impressive.
I sure appreciate your fine commentary.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
To me, the most fascinating weapons are those made of sword fish or marlin bills. I knew that sword fish would use their bills to stun or cut up prey, but I never thought a weapon could be made of it. I love learning about Hawaiian history and traditional culture, so I'd like to thank you for sharing some of your knowledge.
You're very welcome, and thanks for commenting.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Your work is gorgeous! Your knowledge of the tools and arts, not just of war, but of craftsmanship, is obvious. Thank you for preserving it and sharing it with the world!
Mahalo (thank you ) for your fine comment, Bjorn. It has been a pleasure gathering this experience over many years, and now getting to share it more here at RUclips.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
I met you several years ago, and at that time, I had very little knowledge of ancient Hawaiian weapons, particularly the swordfish and marlin blades. Your skill and craftsmanship are a tribute to that culture and way of life. Mahalo.
Mahalo Greg. I've realized recently that the marlin-bill weapons are probably rare because a marlin was probably a lot harder for Hawaiians of old to catch than a swordfish.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Really interesting. Would be great to see more videos about Hawaiian weapons and warfare!
Mahalo for your comments! I've pretty well covered the weapons, but the warfare methods would make an interesting video.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
What a absolutely fantastic video. I’m glad I found your channel.
Take care.
Thanks for your very king comment.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Mahalo (thanks) for your nice comment. Glad you liked it.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
That stingray barb dagger with knuckle guard is essentially the same design as many WWI trench knives just in natural materials instead of brass & steel.
You did a wonderful job on it too!
You're right, and isn't is astounding what some Hawaiian artisan of old used to apparently create a replica of some Spanish weapon he had seen back in the 1500s or so.
And thanks for your fine comment.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
@@traditionalhawaiianculture yes it truly is. Many people see wood or stone weapons & font appreciate how much time & skill it can take to craft them. They often see a steel sword & understand better that it took time & skill to make but in some ways steel (or other metals) are easier to create with because you can bend, fold, melt & manipulate metals into the shape you want where often creating with wood or other natural materials you have to fine the right materials; can't just 'force' them to the shape you want.
Like you were saying with the swordfish versus the marlin bill. A swordfish bill is naturally more useful than a marlin Bill and easier to obtain but what a wonderful weapon it makes!
The stingray barb dagger was also used by the ancient malays(and probably almost everyone in the Nusantara region,though I cant say for sure) but without the knuckle guard.
@@e.b2318 makes sense as it is a perfect shape & naturally strong.
Wow this man has some serious, impressive historic weaponry. Ive never seen quite such a real life collection of this culture. This man and video is one of a kind. The medium hammer from a burnt bush in the middle is incredible. What a weapon!
Mahalo (thanks) for your good comment.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Absolutely fascinating, I have interest in old melee weapons and armor but I’ve never seen a presentation such as this on Hawaiian weapons. Excellent video doctor
Thanks for your fine commentary.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Searching for videos about South East Asian and Polynesian weaponry only to end up here. Very interesting work you do, sir. You earned yourself a subscriber.
Sure appreciate your kind comment.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Mahalo for the information , this is just the thing i was looking for.
Like your moniker! Mahalo for the compliment, and I'm glad the video was of help to you.
I just wanted to say I genuinely enjoyed this video. It was great getting to see Dr Ka'imiloa discuss these weapons you can tell how passionate he is regarding them.
Thank you for your kind comment.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
RARELY hear anything about early Hawaiian weapons. This was new and interesting. Thank you for the time you put into doing the video for us.
I appreciate your nice comment
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Immediately subbed. You, sir, are a wealth of knowledge and skills. Looking forward to binge watching this channel.
Great comment. I broke out laughing when I read your last sentence! Stay tuned for more videos in the planning stage now.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
This is incredible! As a kid I saw these kinds of weapons at the Bishop Museum but never thought to try and make some. Thanks! My craftsmanship will never come close to yours, but it will be fun.
Thank you for your nice comment. Yes, Bishop Museum was very inspiring for me -- 50 years ago! It still is.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Thank you for making this video. I have no idea who you are but your knowledge and authenticity really shine. I have never subbed so fast. Much love ❤
Thanks for your fine comment. I got a real kick out of "I have never subbed so fast"! And now I know a new word: "subbed"!
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
I was never into Hawaiian culture nor melee weapons, but I was instantly intrigued. Very well made and interesting video! Thank you for the immense amount of insisight, especially about the context of the weapons' design and their use!
I appreciate your good commentary.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
I love the fast, concise delivery of information, and the astounding amount of knowledge. Excellent craftsmanship, as well. This is a fantastic video. Thank you, sir.
Mahalo (thank you) for your fine comment.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Superb craftsmanship !! , I like the way you use the natural form of the woods , each piece a deadly weapon , the wounds inflicted must have been horrendous , in the hands of warriors trained from a young age , these are battles I gladly missed !!.
Mahalo for the fine compliment. Not only did the Hawaiian warriors have some unusual weapons, but their skill level with them, if of chiefly rank and therefore having lots of training from an early age, must have been phenomenal!
@@traditionalhawaiianculture🫀 true heart and soul connecting to the earth🦶
@@traditionalhawaiianculturewhat kinda horrors did the Japanese commit in the Hawaiian Islands that had us looking like life preservers to the islanders?
Hawaii had a very mixed population by 1941 when the Pearl Harbor attack occurred, but such an attack had been anticipated for 20 years or more. Thanks to a major defeat of the Japanese Navy at the Battle of MIdway, at the far northwest of the whole island chain, including losing four aircraft carriers, I have no doubt that the Japanese would have attacked the Main Hawaiian Islands and probably occupied at least some of them. In the first three years of the war, the U.S. had 15,000 troops on those islands, and there was very disheartening martial law for all civilians.
Aloha, Kaimiloa
@@jgvtc559we're talking about Japanese now? Do you really need to say such things to feel better about yourself xD I love this country too but that's just pathetic.
What an amazing collection. Thankyou for sharing your knowledge with us all. It was fascinating from start to finish
Thank you.
Aloha and Mahalo for making this awesome video. I lived on oahu in kaneohe bay as I was stationed there while in the marine corps. I loved it instantly! I wish I could have stayed. I miss it so much 😢
I am making a long war sword called "lei o manō". Since I live on the east coast, shark teeth are very hard to come by so I substitute the teeth with thick shells and cut and shape them to look like shark teeth. The wood I will be using is pine as it what's available for me and easier to work with hand tools on. It will not be used for violence. Just a decorative wall hanger.
🤙Mahalo
Mahalo for your reply. That is very admirable of you to be making a lei o manō. If you want to, you should be able to get Tiger shark teeth on the internet, and if there is any choice, you want the ones with the more raised and apparent ''point", and about 1 to 1 1/8" wide. See if you can find some scraps of ordinary mahogany wood, maybe at a cabinet-making place, for the wooden part.
Aloha, ka'imiloa
Outstanding, I actually make these and other Polynesian weapon's Some of these I have never seen! And am going to make. Excellent description and great information. Thank u sir!
Mahalo for your kind commentary.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
This is as fascinating and informative as it gets. I would love to be able to go to Hawaii and experience all it's beauty and culture. The hardwoods available there are absolutely stunning and seem so great and dense. As a woodworker, someone who has a great appreciation for culture, and absolutely loves the sea, this video certainly has me off in dream land. Thank you for the insight.
What a nice comment. Thank you.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
I want one of them hardwood push daggers...... Truly a beautiful piece of art and equipment,thank you for sharing
I don't think I've ever seen a replica for sale, which is curious.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Awesome lecture! Really like the weaponry and engineering behind these weapons
I'm grateful for those of you who comment favorably. Always warms the heart of a teacher.
Being raised in a native American museum for the first five years of my life, I love this type of hand craft, history, and spirituality. Mystiscym. I subscribed.
Culture.
There is a lot of spirituality in the Hawaiian culture, and poetic plus double-meaning wording in the language and chants. And the concept of "mana" in humans, created items and sites. It is not unlike Native American beliefs. I love it all.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
I've always found the non-metallic weapons of cultures with no/little access to ore and smelting absolutely fascinating. Fantastic video!
Thanks for your nice comment, Lydia.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
I live in Hāna and am currently in the process of making a Leiomano with wetland koa, I enjoy the information on your videos.
Mahalo, Christefer. I can give you a good bit of information and advice about making Leiomanō and working with sharks teeth if you like. You'll find a "contact us" page at our cultural nonprofit's website by simply typing-in hawaiian-culture.com at Google.
You've probably already studied the information in the weapons section of "Arts and Crafts of Hawaii". Priceless book!
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Mahalo,
Sounds excellent I look forward to this.
What an amazing assortment of weapons. You truly show your love and appreciation for this unique culture, and it's traditional crafts.
I find it so interesting to see how a culture wich had no access to either metal or any glass-like minerals like flint or obsidian, or any large mammals with antlers, still found materials that filled similair roles .
Thanks for your comment. Yes, the Hawaiians were so separated from other cultures, yet they produced a great number of unique items and my count so far is 46, but there will be more! This is a particular thing that got me so interested in figuring out how they did things despite such limited resources and no metal.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Aloha! Love the information, you do beautiful work!
Glad to hear it! Mahalo for your good words
RUclips algorithm fetches me here and for once I’m impressed! Thank you for this video and for sharing Your beautiful work!
Thanks for your kind words.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
@13:32 looking at it on the couch i thought the wood club was a femor bone of some large animal. distorted and deformed.
what a beautiful piece of wood.
Mahalo, Rune. I really love fine woods myself, and it is a pleasure to work on and then and polish such woods.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Was watching a documentary on Kimbo Slice, and this was the next video. I lived in Hawaii for 10 years while in the service, I loved it, loved the culture, the people, the nature. Its like youtube knew I was missing the place. Thanks brother
What a fun and heartfelt comment. Mahalo.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Amazing craftsmanship, and all without metal tools or possibly even flint type stone? The polynesians achievments with stone age technology were fantastic, it's fascinating to learn how they overcame every obstacle to settle the entire pacific and beyond.
Good commentary, Ken. Yes, I am continually amazed at what the Hawaiians could accomplish without metal tools, very little obsidian, and no flint-type stone. Basalt can be flaked by strong percussion, but not pressure flaking. Those people of old who could so amazingly shape basalt by percussion and then grinding deserve the greatest praise.
Aloha Ka'imiloa
@traditionalhawaiianculture the intricacy of some of the woodcarving is just jaw dropping, I assume they must have used Shark teeth or hard coral where stone was not available?
Sharks teeth, both large and small, made all sort of instruments, tools, knives and weapons. The Hawaiians did not use hard coral or large pieces of clam shell to make adze blades and the like (a they didn't have the giant clam of the South Pacific anyway), but I have made a couple of good small chisels out of hard coral and assume the Hawaiians of old did so too. Good basalt was available on all the main islands of Hawaii as far as I know, so that was usually not a problem.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
@traditionalhawaiianculture thanks for that, I look forward to seeing more films from you.
Aloha Ka'imiloa.
@@greenjack1959l Thank you, it's appreciated.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
So intriguing!
I rarely stumble on the chance to see such an interesting presentation from someone so passionate in the topic!
Great pronunciation near the start of the video!
Mahalo for your kind comments, especially about my faltering 'Ōlelo Hawaii. We had to move to the Mainland 20 years ago due to the VOG on the Big Island where we were living, but we brought all our Hawaiian things with us. I learned Hawaiian back in the 1980s to be able to translate for myself, but we were never exposed to much actual speaking back then, and of course the chance for speaking is far less now because of where we live (central Arizona), whereas the spoken language is all over the place in Hawaii now.
Nui no ko'u aloha i ka 'ōlelo hawaii, aka, ka'u 'eke i ka hua 'ōlelo he 'eke līli'i wale no! Auwē! Thus, the Hawaiian dictionary remains as my trusty and beloved aid, and I still translate for myself and for research, and I occasionally haku oli.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
I didn't realize the hawaiian's had so much diverse weapons. Interesting how even though their weapons are uniquely made, there are still similarities with other weapons (e.g. swords, knives, clubs, shanks, knuckle dusters) etc... really impressive. This man did a great job educating me on Hawaiian weapons.
Unrelated point - I love his passion, his joyful eyes when looking at these weapons.
Thank you for your kind comment. And I'm pleased with your close observation -- I didn't realize that my fondness for these things, and the many more re-created Hawaiian cultural items over the years, showed in my eyes!
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Amazing! I just found this video, it came randomly on my feed. I have to say I'm not disappointed. Keep them coming good sir.
Thanks for your good commentary.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
So many similarities between these and the metal weapons of Eurasia. Really makes me wonder what non metallic weapons inspired early copper and bronze types but are now lost to history. Really fascinating video.
Mahalo (thanks) for your good comment.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
The RUclips algorithm did a fine job with this gem of a video. Excellent job sir
I'm so pleased that you found it, and I'd thank the algorithm too, if I could find it!
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
I like how he spoke in sea monkey at the start!
I sure got a kick out of your comment! That was Hawaiian language, just telling a bit about myself for those who understand it. There are quite a number of such people in Hawaii now, and elsewhere, thanks to the "cultural renaissance" which began back in the 70s and then various Hawaiian language schools started up in the 80s and they continue today.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
This was randomly in my suggestions, I am very happy I decided to watch it.
I also subscribed, look forward to watching more of your content.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
I lived on the island where the canoe's from Hawaii first landed in NZ that turned into the Maori . There were stones walls and burial sites all over the island we used to get coconut wash up sometimes.
Kiwi proud....I like that. One of the founding Tribes in Aotearoa, to best of my knowledge, says they came from South Point (Ka Lae) on the Big Island of Hawaii. That is far, far away. Yet an early Missionary, William Elllis, touring the Big Island looking for the best sites for a Mission Station in 1823, I believe, wrote about a village place near Ka Lae, and said that the people there had more tattoos than the others he had seen in Hawaii, though crudely done, and some were tattooed on their chin. That last statement struck me. I believe there was far more voyaging in older times than many are able to accept. And indeed, the long-time story was that Polynesians could not have sailed to all the inhabited places in the vast Pacific, and it was accidental voyaging. That was the established paradigm -- until the recreated Hawaiian voyaging double canoe Hokule'a sailed clear to Tahiti in the 1970s without modern navigational equipment, with a gathered crew not possibly as good as an ancient one. The arrival of Hokule'a in Tahiti drew the largest crowd ever seen there. And now the paradigm is completely obliterated, with multiple Polynesian groups having competent voyaging canoes and crews once again. Hawaii proud, myself. Mahalo (thanks) for writing.
@@traditionalhawaiianculture it amazed me hearing you speak,I'm not a Maori speaker really but I noticed similar sounds in what you were saying.
Before the Maori became the dominant race or tribe in NZ there were the moreore which the Maori concurred, there are also legends of other people's so me personally knowing how great the ancient people's were at navigating currents, watching the sea life . I think there must have been multiple expeditions back in the day .
It amazed me we also had a few dead turtles wash up on great mercury island,if they had a knowledge of currents like we do roads then they would see the turn offs to different places and if there was one you knew no one has gone down before why wouldn't you try .
Somthing else you said about using the pike to pole volt over ditches, well the Maori are famous for trench warfare. Did the Hawaiians build like hill forts that consisted of trenches, earthworks and Palisades that they would only build in times of war , or a tribe would have one up on a hilltop or cliff but a village down in the valley near the water and crops ? Or were they more permanent lived in stone built fortified villages ? If you don't mind me asking.
There's also a legend where the kumara ( sweet potato) got a blite and a chef had to send a person on a big bird to Hawaii to get more seed kumara . These stories are more fact than fantasy in some ways sometimes there must have been trade and exploration trips all around by multiple peoples .
@@kiwiprouddavids724 Great observations and questions, David. If you want to read a lot about old time Hawaii, read "The Journal of William Ellis", which has another title too. It has been reprinted and is also available at used-book sites like Alibris.com and Abebooks.com. Ellis was a Missionary who had spent 7 years in Tahiti and thus was fluent in Tahitian language. Hawaiian was quite similar and he readily learned it when he came to Hawaii because of his wife's illness. Thus, on his extensive travels on Hawaii's Big Island in 1823, he was able to directly talk with chiefs and commoners alike, at a time when relatively few of the people had ever even seen a foreigner. And he wrote is all down. Priceless!
No, the Hawaiians did a lot of fighting, but did not have earthworks, palisaded Pa, tall fences and gates, forts, etc. That's largely because by the time muskets were readily available to thousands of warriors as in Aotearoa, King Kamehameha had previously already unified all the Islands by the earliest 1800s and thus there was peace at last.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
@@traditionalhawaiianculture thanks so much, I've just been watching your other videos on stone working .I like bone carving as a hobby and I have tried to make a small adze before but gave up ,what you have done is amazing .like you say things have a mana to them the bone and things that I work with usually tell me what it wants to be.
I will have to do some more research into Hawaiian culture, I think like you I like learning about those old skills , traditions and legends. I'd love to learn one-day how to make a feather cloak,but that octopus lure blew my mind I'd never seen one before I have learned a little about them today .
Thanks again , takes great mana to do what you have done 👍
@@kiwiprouddavids724 To you, David, and other viewers/seekers I'll offer this: please watch the two-part video from around 35 years ago on this site. It's an overview of old time Hawaiian culture and its arts and crafts. What is different for any person like me, many years later, is this: More experience and more knowledge -- assuming the same path has been followed. But also....more mana. That is a Polynesian concept, mysterious to many, and yet it is both real and valuable.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Bravo! Information is key & you’re articulate enough to explain it very well!
Keep it up!!!
I sure will. Thanks for your comment.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
This dude is about as Hawaiian as those rolls in the bread section at Walmart.
I can't prove any Hawaiian blood, but my genes, beliefs and activities sure do think it's there! After 250 years of ancestry-mixing within the culture (that's at least ten generations), you'd be surprised how many light-skinned some Hawaiians are today. That doesn't change the mindset.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
I greatly enjoyed your video sir. Very educational. Plus I admire your passion and craftsmanship.
What a nice commentary. Thank you.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
This was wildly fascinating! Thank you so much for taking the time to make this video explaining these weapons and their history. It’s interesting to see parallels between European design and Polynesian design (with some designs being somewhat universal, apparently), as well as the Hawaiians taking inspiration from the weapons they might have come across from explorers. Awesome find, much appreciated!
I really appreciate your thoughtful and kind comments..
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Dr. Chrisman, it seems the algorithm has favored you recently. I suppose even AI can get it right now and again and thank goodness it did! This informational, personal sit down style presentation led me to a greater understanding of your culture and the amazing weaponry. As others have stated I too would like to see you produce a video on the warfare tactics of Hawaiian tribes and how, if at all, they differed.
Thank you for your fine comment. Yes, I don't know how the algorithm got fired up, but maybe it was because of the percentage of comments. So the number of views has shot up in the past couple of weeks, plus new subscriptions.
I replied to another viewer that the Hawaiians did have plenty of warfare between large districts or the islands themselves, once the population got really large in about the 1400s, but they did not have separate Tribes as in the much larger islands of New Zealand. So the warfare tactics were essentially the same, until Kamehameha the First became wealthy thru shrewdness with the newcomers, and thus accumulated thousands of muskets, and a scattering of at least smaller cannons. Mostly hand-to-hand fighting, tho. They even had the bow but did not use it for fighting - only for a rat-shooting sport by the Chiefs.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
@@traditionalhawaiianculture Thank you so much for the explanation Dr. Chrisman, I look forward to more of your collections and oration.
Loved it. Easy listening. I could sit and listen to that guy for ages
Your comment is much appreciated!
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Fantastic video, Dr. Chrisman.
Mahalo for your nice comment.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Thank you sir for this video, I am of Hawaiian descent and I find traditional Hawaiian life interesting and I am glad I found this video upon these weapons
Thank you for your kind comment.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Don't know how I got here but man this is so cool, I've been to Hawaii and find the culture really cool but had no idea they had so many weapon types,, and you've done incredible in recreating them
Thanks for your nice comment.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Im from Australia and iv watched this 3 times and told my mates to watch it too, bloody awesome
Wow, quite a comment. Thank you.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
This takes me back to a collection of Maori weapons I had the pleasure of viewing many years ago. Many of them were hardwood as well, with jade and shark teeth for piercing/slashing points, as well as clubs (one made entirely of jade). You can see continuances in both peoples' weapons from their common ancestors, and they are all beautiful as well as deadly. Thank you for sharing this collection
much thanks for your good remarks. I just got back from a cultural trip to Aotearoa (New Zealand). A marvelous experience amongst the Maoris. Yes, their old time workmanship in wood, stone, whalebone and teeth, and jade is utterly outstanding.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
From the FIRST ITEM shown, this was so interesting....they had their own version of brass knuckles, except maybe deadlier. Thank you brother, for sharing the tradition. 👍
You are very welcome. Thanks for commenting.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Thank you for showing us your Hawaii weapons.
From Edinburgh Scotland with respect.
Thanks for commenting. I certainly have respect for Scotland and its history. I'm descended from Robert the Bruce and my given name is that, Bruce, tho I much prefer my Hawaiian name. My brother's name was Scot.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
I always respect those who will sit on the floor.
Very interesting and informative.
A great craftsman and historian.
Thanks for our kind words. Much appreciated.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
A Channel I never knew I needed keep it up young man!
I like anyone who calls me a young man! Thanks for commenting.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Very cool, sir. I love these shark tooth weapons that you're showing us here. Excellent work, and thank you for your fascinating explanations.
I would be interested to learn more about Hawaiian fighting techniques and martial arts, if you have more information to offer on that.
Thanks for your good comment, and questions. The Hawaiian martial art was called Lua, and it had almost died out til resurrected to a degree in the 1970s and 80s, to the best of my knowledge. But many of the aggressive and defensive moves are known only by name now. It was a very complex and deep art, and even today the training is complex and multifocal.
The males of the Chiefly class (Ali'i) got extensive training in warfare and weapons use, including dodging and parrying of spears, and even dodging slingstones. King Kamehameha was famous for having caught, dodged or parryed seven spears thrown at him at the same time by seasoned warriors.
Running, leaping, even pole-vaulting over terrain features or gullies during battle, using the strong Hawaiian pike called pololū, which was 12 to 18 feet long, were all taught. Sometimes "cliff-jumping" too, to escape.
But the fighting was primarily hand-to-hand. I'm sure most of the commoners conscripted at war-time were no match of the highly experienced warriors and Lua fighters.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Very cool! We always hear about Hawaii's and Polynesian warrior culture but this weaponry is all new to me. Thank you.
And thank you, too, for taking the time to comment.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Great video and beautifully made weapons. You sir are a gem.
What a nice comment. Thank you.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Beautiful video! Arohanui and much love from Aotearoa New Zealand 💜
Mahalo for your nice comment. My wife and I have been to Aotearoa twice and love both the land and the people. We will be going again before long, and spend more time with the Maori.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Very beautiful weaponry and fantastic craftsmanship. These weapons look a little bit more sophisticated than the weapons my Native tribe ancestors in the Eastern US would have used. They made very effective weapons as well, but these are made out of such beautiful materials. Thanks for sharing, sir.
very very glad to have found this channel.
That is much appreciated.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
I like the similarities between the Hawaiian clubs and Meso american clubs, ones used shark theeth while the others used obsidian shards to make kind of similar but very distinct weaponry, very cool video and explanations, salve from Spain !
Thanks for your kind comment.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Amazing to have someone so knowledgeable explain things in a direct way. I had no idea they made weapons like these. Hawaii had not only fierce warriors, but genius craftsman as well.
What they could accomplish, and very well, without metal tools and drills, is absolutely amazing.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Impressive use of the hawain language, and skills , craftsmanship, thanks for showing your collection
Mahalo for your fine comment. I wrote a reply a short while ago, but for some reason it apparently didn't go thru. No one else has commented on the Hawaiian language words, and I am very rusty at speaking it due to living on the Mainland now for health reasons. I do love 'olelo Hawaii, tho!
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
@@traditionalhawaiiancultureif you want a comment to be read by all you can pin them to the top
@@traditionalhawaiianculture I spend a lot of my time inthe mountains of Philippines, where tradition skills and crafts are still valued,
It so important that things are not lost to time and neglect, all the best to you ,
That's great to know! Thank you.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Thank you again, Rupert.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Mahalo for this very entertaining insight into Hawaiian weaponry.
Wonderful video, I found the mention of finding a solution to crafting the small shark toothed axe in a dream very interesting.
Its a situation you see a lot from craftsmen in the historical record, for example Zozimos of Panopolis received dreams on alchemy that were a vital part of his process. Its very interesting to see that process of oneiric inspiration continue through the dreams of a true craftsman.
Thanks for the very interesting reply. I have received a great many replies and almost all were fun or notable to read. Yes, I've had at least two other "dream teachings" that I can recall -- both related to how to do old time Hawaiian things in the old way.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Amazing video, in my area of the southwest we have a lot of basalt as well. Some of the fine grain stuff knapps pretty well. Incredible to think it was vital for the use of manufacturing wood working implements on the islands. For the natives in our area it was much more of a complementary rock. We have plenty of quality obsidian, chert and more in our area. But in Hawaii stone that conchoidally fractures is scare besides obsidian and basalt. (I’m not sure if you guys had a significant amount of dacite.) So it’s vital for making woodworking tools like adzes where you can really get more bang for your buck. Reminds me of how some cultures utilized blade core technology to try and stretch all their lithic resources. Much love from the mainland and I hope you keep making those breathtaking works of art. You have a real talent. As much as any skilled stone worker. Those are the hawaiian version of fluted folsom points. Be proud of them. It’s a very under appreciated area of history and it deserves more recognition. You are doing such important work to bring it to light.
That sure was a good and detailed comment, and I appreciate it. In Hawaii, material to conchoidally fracture was pretty much limited to basalt. I've found a little obsidian but never any large pieces, and once found two or three little pieces of what I'd call chert on Lana'i island. There was some mighty fine basalt in a few areas tho, like the fop of Mauna Kea mountain on the Big Island, which had a mini-glacier long ago. I don't know what dacite is, tho.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
@@traditionalhawaiianculture Thank you for such a quick and detailed response. So interesting to think about what they did limited to those resources. Dacite is a more opaque volcanic rock that has high silica content and conchoidally fractures but is a bit tougher than obsidian. I personally prefer working with it even though it’s rarer in my area than obsidian. It doesn’t step fracture or crumble as easy. I’m very much so a beginning knapper so that is helpful to me. It is similar to obsidian or basalt but not the exact same thing. Thanks again for the great work looking forward to forward projects-John
Thanks, John. I think that what I was able to find a good bit of 20+ years ago near a smaller volcanic dome on the West side of Hawaii's Big Island was what you are calling Dacite -- or at least part of it was. I've always just thought of it as a poorer quality, more opaque type of obsidian. I do see stones that look intermediate between obsidian and basalt at times, too - and in both Arizona and Hawaii.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
I absolutely LOVE traditional weapons. I collect them when I can. I don't have any wooden or organic based weapons, but you have given me an interest to get some one day.
Thank you!!!
You are welcome.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
His replicas are insane, Dr. Chrisman should be proud of himself; genuinely impressive stuff I definitely wish more people were creating accurate weapon reconstructions.
Thanks for your fine commentary!
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Gorgeous work. Thank you for sharing
Thanks for your fine comment.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
The weapon seen at 4:11 is very similar to the mesoamerican macuahuitl, which I find very interesting. I have always been in love with different cultures as well as their traditional weaponry, so I am very thankful to have come across this video!
Thank you for your good words. It's interesting that "macuahuitl" sounds like a Polynesian word. And despite several hundred years of place-name changes influenced by newer peoples, there are quite a number of Polynesian-sounding place names on maps showing the western side of lower Mexico and Central America
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
@@traditionalhawaiianculture That's very interesting! Thank you a lot for your insight, I never knew that. If you haven't made one already, I think it would be very nice to see a video about Hawaiian spiritual beliefs.
I've been concentrating mostly on how to make Hawaiian things in the old time way, but the first talk, in two parts and from about 29 years ago, covers a whole lot of cultural bases. So yes, doing a video before long on Hawaiian spiritual beliefs would be a very good idea.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Super interesting video..I've seen similar weapons for Torres Strait and far North Australia, swords made from saw shark bills and hard word clubs embedded with Tiger shark teeth..looking forward to learning more in your next show. Thank you..subscribed 🤙
Thank you for your comment, and I am glad to see you are a subscriber.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
This is an excellent video! Thanks for posting.
I'm glad you liked it, and appreciate your comments.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Excellent video! Very interesting, I had no idea the variety of weapons the people of Hawaii utilized.
I appreciate your comment.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Wonderful collection and a great education. Thank you sir
Thanks for your good commentary.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
I have no idea how this got into my Recommendeds but I'm glad that it did. Never been to Hawaii but I'd like to. Thank you for this.
I'm glad it got into the Recommends too. Thank you.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Mahalo for this great video uncle! 🤙
And mahalo for your fine comment!
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Very cool! Thanks for sharing this video, I learned quite a bit.
Mahalo (thanks) for your comment.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Your wealth of knowledge is amazing. I hope the coming generations remember the old ways, because one day, this world will be back that way.
Thanks for commenting. Ominous thought, but I wouldn't be surprised if you are quite correct.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Extremely interesting and important information historically and culturally, thank you!
Thanks for your fine comment.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Thank you for all that you are and all that you do 💙
Mahalo (thank you) for your very kind comment.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
This is great!! Thank you for making this!
Thank you for your nice comment.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Thank you for showing your beautiful collection Sir. I love the face on the club. I find the connection between the stunning stingray dagger and the old spanish sword interesting and very relevant to my own practice. May I ask what lead you to the connection between the two? /Zeke
Good question: Some notable research insists that the Spaniard Guitano (if I'm recalling the name right) discovered the Hawaiian Islands in 1542, and made a map that purposely had the longitude and latitude off by about ten degrees. Meanwhile, the oral tradition of the Kealakekua area on the Big Island tell of a shipwreck there in the time of the High Chief Lonomakahiki. By my calculation, that happened about the same time. Two people, one male and the other female, swam ashore and knelt a long time on the beach. Both things suggest Spanish Catholics. This event was still in the regional idioms 240 years later, highly suggesting it is true.
I know what the Spanish weapons of those times looked like, and also that the stingray-dagger is utterly unique amongst Hawaiian weapons, yet it bears a close resemblance to the Spanish fighting daggers of that era, except for the open-work iron hand guard. Perhaps the Hawaiian dagger once had a handguard of gourd shell to mimic that.
This theory does make some sense, if you know the old time history in detail, and thus the story all falls into place after many years of study and discovery.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
I have no idea why this was in my recommended but this gives me some good ideas for native weaponry in my D&D game
Thanks for commenting.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
wonderful video, thanks for teaching some hawaiian culture, greetings from germany
Remarkable, people are seeing this cultural channel in Germany! Thanks for your comment.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Great video very informative thanks for making it!
Thanks for your nice comment!
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Thank you for learning the culture. You are a very interesting individual. Much love good sir.
Thank you for your very kind comment.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
@@traditionalhawaiianculture Yes sir! I'm thankful for you being so kind and responding. We are all thankful for you. Please continue to spread your love and knowledge not to mention you are a great teacher as well. This planet needs you! ❤️🙏! Sending all love from Saint Louis Missouri!
You are certainly a focus of aloha spirit in St. Louis! Mahalo for for your even kinder comment.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
@@traditionalhawaiianculture wow. Yes sir thank you!! 😁😊 Thank you for taking time out your day to respond and giving a awesome response. Don't make'em like you anymore. Have a great day, you and everyone that's a part of this page. 🙏☮️
Mahalo (thank you) once again.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
This is a really interesting video. Thank you for sharing! What Hawaiian weapon would you recommend for a contemporary international traveler who has to go thru security, immigration, check points, and other forms of oversight?
Thanks for commenting. It's an interesting question, and the only answer applicable to today would be skilled hands!
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
This is very interesting, thank you so much for the video that was very informative and answered questions I didn’t even know I had lol
Mahalo (thanks) for your good comment, Killean.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Wonderful educational material from a beautiful culture, thank you sir.
What a nice comment. It is appreciated.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
This is so amazing...Mahalo, Uncle...❤🔥!
Mahalo to you for your fine compliment, Dwayne.
Nice collection, do you know which one of those weapon varieties was used to kill Captain James Cook?
Cook was stabbed with a dagger, and to best of my recall, it was thought to be one of the iron daggers made by Cook's blacksmith as a trade item much desired by the Hawaiians, who -- prior to the prior year when he came upon Kaua'i Island -- had no usable metal and were literally a stone-aged culture. But a very advanced one.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Thank You Very Much! Amazing video and I learned so much! Subscribed 👍
I sure appreciate your comment. I have just been teaching, and not asking for subscribers, the they are coming right along in numbers anyway. Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Very informative presentation thank you brother
You are very welcome. Thank you for watching, and commenting.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa
Back in June 2009 I was visiting Honolulu. At the Ala Moana shopping center there was a Hawaiian handicrafts business. There were these types of weapon reproductions for sale like swordfish daggers. Was this the same craftsman as in this video?
There are lots of craftsmen now making replicas of old time Hawaiian weapons. I don't know who made my long swordfish sword, it was something I purchased at a cultural event. I made almost all the other weapons, as the video's description and the video says.
Aloha, Ka'imiloa