The above is mentioned/introduced in this passage because with the Puhi – life can get real serious – should not be attempted until one “is ready”- and still, one must be taught by someone who himself was taught – In short, no one just goes out one day and decides to catch an eel.

To be successful – by this time one must have located a stand of bamboo somewhere mauka – where the occasional cutting will not be missed – ( to live “the life” means you stay on the beach – out of town – an extremely low profile is required – walk everywhere – and remember – to survive requires all day spent diving – setting various traps – protecting them – harvesting them – collecting wood – making salt etc – so any time away from this pursuit must be made to count. Bamboo will be an essential for many things as your time/life/lessons evolve.

Cut your stalk where the diameter fits your enclosed hand nicely – say 2” diameter, and the joints are sealed – and approximately 8” – 10” long. Poke hole (you will always need a good knife on your person at all times) into both ends – run a 10’ to 15’ length of leader wire and bring short end around and splice to long end giving you a handle. At the opposite end select a good sized “treble fishing hook” and splice permanently.(I found that a small roll of copper wire essential for splicing – a multitude of uses for making permanent – strong – basic survival implements – ( more tools discussed later ).

All free divers who come and go from their favorite areas know where the various eel holes are – big eel, little eels – rule being if you are a novice – always assume every crevice has an eel and never stick your hand where you cannot see. You need to select several sites and they should always have a place – rocks – where your leverage – balance – feet are steady – best if you can sit down somewhere – so—1st find an appropriate location at shoreline – then dive/or walk in “appropriately” and look for the hole that will house the size eel you feel you can handle --- bigger the hole--- bigger the eel – for eating – no need bigger than 3 ft.

Now prior to “going for it” – an old hand will bait the holes in his area for a while as he moves along doing daily life chores by throwing a little “palu” into the area of holes. Palu is the waste from your fish generally but should include black crab – octopus – etc – all should be kept in a 5 gal bucket with lid ( A must have tool – several if possible ) – the stinkier the better)

Additionally you will need a “nail board” – “coin rock”(for hammering) – (never lava rock) – always keep a stash of 3-4 inch nails around in your “kitbag” along with that roll of copper wire –

Your “nail board” should be 3 -4 ft long –( min 5” wide) ( I found kiawe limb flattened down both sides approx. 4 inches thick the best. (no need haul around – keep in camp)

(In passing these vignettes along I have tried to include various necessities for Island life rather than make a master list – Survival life requires mobility – any and all things used and carried must have “multiplicity” of use – becoming a “minimalist” requires much thought – We are not talking a backpack here – We are talking about using what can be found on the shoreline – what you can place in pockets/ hang on an old canvas cartridge belt – tightly rolled up camouflaged military “bedroll liner”(across chest style) one hand on staff – one hand carrying the all important 5 gal bucket- period.)

So – to round this one out – Old steel mesh meat cutter gloves (Kevlar now if you can find them) – wire cutter/needle nose pliers – old time collapsible marshmallow skewers – box cutter.

Build a small fire – design for deep coals type – as with all fires – ring with coin or river rock only – never lava rock – (trapped air pockets can explode on you)

Put “palu” on treble hook well wrapped – dangle in front of eel hole - ----

Puhi does not nibble – his teeth are slanted backward – he is designed to strike hard and fast – keeping as much of his flat tail wedged back in his crevice as possible and still reach his target – get back into hole.

Your job is to yank him from his hole – fast – grab behind his head – (forget your bamboo handle) – smash his flat tail with a coin rock or “Ahi bat”- (all nerves of puhi go back to tail – when struck hard and fast the eel goes rigid – (like you receiving a bolt of electricity) – take his head, drive a nail through it and into your nail board solidly – use box cutter and make full cuts through skin on both sides – pull skin down from body – exposing vertebrae – cut between vertebrae – place on skewers – place over fire and roast slowly - “chicken of da sea” (when we were younger – “making big body” – showing off for the “older ones” (and if the eel was small enough) we would “bite da tail” ---- in a supreme effort to show we had mastered the “old ways”.

Two sets of teeth – secondary set- (located farther down and in throat ) – some folks like to say these fish have much to do with making our sandy beaches by grinding the coral and small lava rock in this secondary set of teeth.

The Uhu is a ”Limu fish” ( only feeds on the Limu- (seaweed) and lifeforms contained within.

Uhu has an excellent “bone/meat ratio” as compared to most other limu fish of comparable size.

What makes the Uhu so unique – besides it beauty – is this: At night the ocean comes alive – Big guys come closer to eat the little guys – sea life that normally lies low - comes out – sea life uses different forms/combinations of protection at night – everybody on the prowl – In short – “ITS ON” at night and you are just one more sort of food or enemy to predators and or “reflective action” by others.

The Uhu will look for a crevice within the rocks (or under shelf) when it is time to rest. In so doing it will blow a mucus “bubble” surrounding its remaining exposed area. (to encase the whole body if need be)

Now here is the thing – The Uhu has great speed, It is incredible to witness – and the “slightest touch” too this “bubble” will cause the Uhu too dart – ( left ? – right ? – down ? – this becomes the issue when aiming the prongs of Hawaiian Sling before letting go) ANTICIPATION OF WHERE THAT UHU GOING --- ONE THING IS FOR SURE – WHERE EVA HE WAS – HE WILL NOT BE – WHEN BUBBLE EVEN COMES CLOSE TO BEING PENETRATED.

Three things –No spear guns – (it is a matter of style) – second – “Head shots only”(body shots ruin the meat and subsequent dining presentation for guests) --- ergo “Hawaiian Sling” – “nighttime” --- ( respect the ocean – the fish – yourself ) –Third: If you are going into an area where sharks are known to be prevalent – and you feel the need for a “An Edge” – (iffy at best because blood in the water is never a good thing ) Bring along your “Bang Stick” (can be hung on arm by use of rubber) – some folks prefer the 44 cal. – I preferred the 12 guage – double ott.

Preparation : forget your normal fish scaler – find a deep bucket – sink – use a spoon. When you scale an uhu the scales are large – consistency of a thumbnail – it must be done with gusto- and these scales will fly everywhere like no other fish. When done the Uhu’s color and beauty is undiminished, making for that “most excellent” presentation.

Uhu is best served “steamed” – head on -
Place in foil to do so – pile on lemon grass – thin slices of lime – Heat shoyu (kikoman only – Aloha shoyu not brewed and too salty) along with olive oil ( not boiling but just under)-
Place steamed Uhu in center of table – pass around the “long Chinese chopstix” to each guest – peal back tin foil - ------ Now when the shoyu and olive oil (extremely hot) is rapidly poured over that lemon grass and lime and Uhu all at once there is a huge sizzle that “drives” the taste combination into the Uhu ---- Guests may now dine from all directions around the table with stix and place the chuncks of Uhu onto plate with side dishes. Save the eyes for special guest – delicacy and will be appreciated.

Methods – need operate in only 10’ to 40’ depth – can cruise slowly in opelu boat – ( if you have highly developed “squid eye” you can see them at shallow depths)- (daylight)
Free dive – (no tanks ) night dive –
Or learn to “harvest” – ( Clorox bottles – bottoms cut out – paracord tied through finger hole, tie other end of paracord to a rock – (use strong rubber band and curl excess paracord) – wedge Clorox bottle into rock cluster. ( He’e loves to “make home” – set several well spaced out – and check on daily basis.

Weapon of choice – “Hawaiian Sling” – eight or 10 ft aluminum pole- ( I have used bamboo – It is doable under survival conditions – but slow due to joints etc) – 3 or 4 prong gig (non barbed- let the prongs hold the prey) – surgical rubber tubing tied to other end – thrust comes from placing tubing in crux of thumb and hand – then stretching tubing by then moving hand toward prong end until “tight”--- There are “night slings” and “day slings” --- more about this later –

In younger days/ bragging days – (making “big body”) around the girls – one could go along the beach – When caught He’e – split head – turn inside out – place on body – ( in death throws succors would stick) - - the more He’e placed on body meant “the better diver” – Better “producer” in life ------

He’e is best tenderized by placing in vinegar – then either pounded by rock – (river or coin rock only – never lava rock) rubber hammer or placed through the “rollers of an old 1940’s – 50’s washing machine.

Smoke the He’e using green guava wood placed on top of kiawe coals – leave the succors on – save “the ink if can”-( can be used to flavor other foods – more about “vana”- “Hawaiian caviar” later)

• Webb Canvas(some prefer the newer "synthetics" where I stick with canvass) cartridge belt (make sure it is double the length of your waist)
• Sheath knife – canvas better than leather – 8 – 10 inch blade – stainless steel – (one piece blade going on up through handle – wrapped and sealed)- (small sharpening stone)
• para cord (green)
• wire saw (fits in snuff can – looks like a garrote)
• Ahi bat –(LA ‘ AU) - ( baseball bat – oak – cut down to length of forearm- mount a curved 2” spike on one side – screw in –drill hole through small end (handle) and run para-cord through and tie with square knot (just enough to put your wrist and hand through)
• dental floss (blue- or green) in small dispenser
• Leatherman (original only) super tool- (this one will have your wire cutters- needle nose,saw –marlin spike etc – and is strong enough to see you through with solid use)
• 2 large curved needles – several large straight needles – (mount on small fold-able patch of duck canvas
• thin – Sm – magnifying glass
• 4’ square patch of thick black plastic ( drinking water)
• 1 rubber collapsible drinking cup
• 1 military poncho
• 2 military poncho “liners”- 1desert – 1 jungle – (camouflaged)
• 1 small roll (dispenser style) copper wire
• 2 - 5 gal plastic buckets with wire handles and lids- (fit inside- and lids mate together)
• 1 roll of green military “blade tape” ( superior form of “duck tape”)
• magnesium (pocket size on chain) fire starter- ( shavings not just sparks)
• thin pocket sized – metal – (hole in center) “signal mirror” – (you will want to see how you look time to time )
• Hawaiian sling – (learn to carry both day and night spears together along with bamboo staff) – throw away black rubber – buy “surgical rubber tubing” and redo – always keep 6’ of this rubber on hand – its light – has many uses – and your spears will feed you best – all the way through. (you will want to make a “sling shot” along the way – guaranteed)
• 1 dive light – get the best – make sure it has a wrist lanyard-(this will be carried in your bucket with gill net and lead line –blade tape)
• 15’ - 30 ft of gill net (let your conscience guide size of eye) – net needle for repairs
• 1 or 2 rolls (dispenser type – mono filament - round and flat) match it too your gill net for strength and color.
• Hat should be cotton duck – visor front – roll up back flap –(“sailing” type best)
• “Zip off shorts/trouser combo’s best -shirts – Cabellas sells silver corded, anti bacterial, (1 alternate each only) – This type can be rolled up and damn near fit into a deck of cards.
• 1 small cobalt blue bottle of colloidal silver- 1 same of “35% food grade hydrogen peroxide” (not to be confused with regular peroxide) –Sm flat box of Bayer (81% low dose aspirin -1sm bottle oil of clove- 1sm roll of guaze- 1 sm bottle of campho phynique- q-tips- few band-aids – 1 ace bandage-tweezers – couple safety pins- sm folding sizzors- (your dentist or doc can give you a prescription for all important “lidex cream”)
• sm selection of hooks- to include trebles – (mount in canvas duck and roll up).
• 1 sm set of rubberized binos – tasco – foldable ( 7 x 25 all that is necessary )
• 1 “space pen” – 1 sm pad to write on (can write underwater or across grease if needed)
• 2 – 2’ bungee cords
• 1 cotton compartmentalized rollup tool bag –( this is critical- they can be found at gun stores that hold cleaning equipment – tools shops – hardware stores )
• penlight – (try to get one with a red filter interchangeable)
• Boots are critical – lava on a daily basis will eat tennis shoes – typical hiking boots with cotton/canvas tops just wont last – I suggest a serious leather ankle covering – gore-tex – mountain climbing – dense rubber sole boot – Vasque makes an excellent set ( no other shoes – get use to either boots – no shoes – toughen up soles amd strengthen feet overall)
• “wicking”- long cotton padded sock – 2 pairs – learn to rotate – learn to bring down excess at top down over your laces – replace leather or cloth laces with paracord – burn to seal ends.
• Small handful of various sized lead sinkers
• Quality – wraparound polarized sunglasses – ( see through water better for “throw net”)

Now – I cannot pack for you – but suffice it to say – all the small gear will fit into your roll up tool bag – Essentially what you must accomplish is 3 things:

1. carry your gear comfortably over long distances and rugged terrain
2. have your gear “prioritized” according “to use”
3. upon needing “anything” – get it fast – easy – with no “loss” because “on a poncho” upon opening

Decide which poncho liner you are most likely to use –(mauka or makai) - take the other one, place loaded tool bag – bungee cords and 6’ of rubber tubing – clothes – 4’ black plastic,(will discuss how to “make/collect” water with this later) - and roll up into liner and tie ends. place second liner on top of poncho – place tied off liner next to it on poncho – now roll up poncho tight – long ways – this goes across chest – sling style – (this method allows you to get to gear – piece meal- as needed without having to wade through everything – you are balanced – fall front or back, you have some protection – No back pack ----
Dive light – nets – lead line – blade tape go into bucket –
Bamboo staff – both Hawaiian slings can be secured with a 3rd small bungee cord –trip to your left- you have a staff to catch you – go right and you have a bucket between you and rocks – weight is nicely distributed and you can go for miles without tiring – “balanced”. Canvas webb cartride belt can mount a canteen if desired – sheath knife – canvas ammo pouches “best” to hold a set of binos –(forget about leaving them around your neck) - first aid kit - (LA ‘ AU / spiked bat – can be mounted on webb belt or carried along with staff or your slings).

Learn to wear a rolled up 3’x 3’ length of cloth for a scarf around your neck - Hat on head and you are ready to go.

A’ama has very little substance –(meat) – and should not be confused with mainland crab of any other kind – Its shell to meat ratio is poor by comparison.

The A’ama has a significant taste –however it is about the “Ritual” involved in the difficult catching –unique preparation – ( there is no such thing as “keeping” the crab until Da Party --- no – no – It “must” be caught the “night before” or the “day of”) – the way it is “presented” at Luau’- and then there is the “eating A’ama”.

PREPARATION: Nobody likes to get fingers pinched – however, get used to it until you learn to reach into the bucket, grab by the back shell, turn over upside down exposing a small soft breastplate – with other hand gently (starting at top of plate) pull the plate away from main body downward until roughly 3/4 of plate detached – CRITICAL THAT BOTTOM PART OF PLATE REMAINS ATTACHED TO BODY HOWEVER.

Now when this is accomplished, reach over and get a small pinch of “Alaea” (pronounced Alla – A ) – Hawaiian home made red salt – and sprinkle beneath breastplate on main body of crab – close the plate back up – keep crab facing up – alive – and place back into separate 5 gal plastic bucket – as you progress – (and it takes many A’ama to fill a bucket) continue to go in a circular motion, lining the bottom – stacking crabs one on top another- circular fashion till bucket is ¾ filled.

Always sprinkle a little seawater (minimal – just enough to keep crabs shiny – moist – alive ) again when bucket filled then place in cool dark place, cover top of bucket with wet cloth soaked in seawater ----- Never let tap water touch A’ama.

Two ways to Catch A’Ama ---- By hand – By Bamboo ---

TOOLS: 2 - 5 gal white plastic buckets, canvas or cotton “sling bag”( over the head and arm of one side and across chest – big open end, “AH – LU AH – LU Shorts” ( your most sun faded, torn, stinky, baggy, oldest – most favorite that you have – good luck shorts) ---- If you want to try and catch by hand.

This requires speed – dexterity – no shadows – no rock vibrations – coming up from behind – by getting partially in the wave, coming up on the side of rocks, and with much practice, you can get better – ultimately if you stay with it you will get “the feel of it” -

By Bamboo – “Very Cool” – Old School – Lost art

Cut a 10’ length of bamboo – This will be a much loved, favored, productive tool so take your time – the bamboo you must find will not be ordinary, so look for a “large Stand” or forest. Most bamboo will come to a tapered end and the joints will be fairly evenly spaced, a 10 footer will have joints maybe ranging from every 8 – 12 inchs. This you “do not” want.

Look for that aberrant bamboo that has joints much closer to each other – it makes for a stronger tool, and when extended out, it has very little dip or drop.

Next, find that aberrant bamboo that has very little “taper” from base to top –

Finally – “green striped” bamboo is a beautiful thing, highly prized, and cures very well.

So – 2” grip – 10’ long – with as close to a 2” tip as can be found. (very little taper)

Split the small end carefully down to the 1st joint – Say 6”. Take a small scrap joint of same bamboo and slowly wedge it down to the joint until the split end is approximately 6 – 8 inchs apart. (like wings)

Next, carefully punch a small hole through each of the split ends approximately ½ inch down.

Take a monofilament line and run it across the span between the “winged split ends” and tie a knot at either end. (cut off any excess )

At this point – and because you have a “tool” you may reasonably catch all the black crab you have the time / patience for- provided you find where the A’ama – en mass – hang out--- That is for another time.

Keep the sling bag and Alu Alu shorts on – Add a single glove – use barefeet or “deck shoes” – bring 1 five gal bucket.

Here is how it works- steady hand, excellent eyesight, move slowly – no rock vibrations – no shadows - - - approach A’ama head on, they will stop enmasse when they 1st detect you. Haunch down, slowly extend bamboo pole/monofilament line towards the crab.

The crab only sees the winged end of pole – not the monofilament stretched across – gently take your time- go slow, and place the monofilament just under the crabs eyes.(important the 1st contact be with filament just under the raised eyes).

Immediately upon contact the crab will “clamp” his raised “lids -eyes down upon filament, thereby trapping himself. Rapidly pull the bamboo pole back – detach the crab – place into sling bag or bucket. If you have been deft- swift, the balance of remaining crabs remain undisturbed and for the further taking.

At the luau the A’ama will be “fanned out and belly up”- in a half moon fashion along with the various other Pu Pu’s .

To dine on black crab – ( still – just barely moving ) grab ahold of back shell, pull breastplate off – suck the innards – break off legs – suction the meat out much as you would with Maine lobster. The taste is slight crab- limu – the ocean itself -