Note 49 — PREFACE. (continued 6)

In both lau and bag-net fishing very fine-mesh nets are used. The lau is a rope with dry ti leaves—three or four—strung in it at intervals according to size. For convenience in handling, this rope is formed of ten fathom lengths, and when the ti leaves are inserted each length is called a kumu lau. There may be as many as ten lengths used in fishing for ohuas, depending on the number of people participating, but not less than four, one being required at each end of the lau and one at each end of the net. At first the kumu laus are joined in the center, which point is marked by a slender stick some six feet long of about an inch in thickness, called kuku. The laus which up to this time have been dragged along in a bunch are then payed out from this central point, each leader going in an opposite direction. The others divide, half going to one side and half to the other of the kuku, for the purpose of pressing down the leafed rope and at the same time pushing it forward. Having come to the end of their respective laus the leaders work forward and gradually form a semicircle with the whole lau. On arriving at a suitable place for laying the net, the head fisherman takes hold of the kuku and shoves it into the sand, or rock, which is the signal to stop pulling for a while. The shock of the kuku digging into the sand is felt all along the lines. All halt in their places. The kuku is then pulled out, parting the kumu laus, each of which is attached to the mouth of the net. The net is carried, partly dragged, in the water by two men, who follow the middle of the lau as shown by the kuku. When the head fisherman signals to cease pulling awhile, the net is spread out in position and the kumu laus are attached to it on either side of the mouth. At a given signal the leaders of the laus come together; the lomi laus, those who press the leaves down, then work forward so that in a short while the two sides form the fence to a pathway leading straight to the mouth of the net. When the two leaders come together they press the leaves towards the net. This is usually done by one of them grabbing the two ropes which form the fence above referred to and bringing them together, thus driving the fish towards the net. This is the crucial moment and has to be done quickly so as to give the fish no time to come back after striking the net. Care must also be taken that the laus do not form “pockets” along their lengths lest the fish circle round in them and dive under them. The head fisherman meanwhile watches the mouth of the net and when no more fish appear the net is raised. In the daytime this method of fishing is called lau ohua. Ohua, puaula, hinalea, weke, pua oio, kumu, moano and other fish which abound in moss-covered shoals are gathered. In the nighttime this same kind of fishing is called lauahi. Larger fish are caught such as kumu, puaula, moano, weke, nenue, uku, lobsters and eels. Daytime fishing of the above on a large scale often going beyond the reef into the deep sea is called lau lele. The method of fishing is the same but it is more laborious. ↑