Hā lawaiʻa (stone sinkers)
The “coffee bean” shaped sinkers were probably used with fishline along the shore since the shallow depth did not require heavy weight. These stones were also used for leho heʻe (squid lure). The knobbed sinker may have been used to weigh down nets. These types of tools are considered multi purpose.
Weight. Length: 3 3/8 inches, Width: 2 inches, Height: 1 1/2 inches, Color: Dark Grey with Brown Spots , Weight: 14.2 oz. This stones were used to weight squid hooks. They were strapped to the hook using cord.
There are many different Hawaiian terms for stone sinker; Pōhaku (former word); kēpau (modern). Also: hā, hā lawaiʻa; pākā (on deep-sea line); pōhākialoa, pōhākioloa (on nets); pōhaku lūheʻe, ʻiole, papa, puʻukuʻua (rare) (on octopus lures). Kinds of stone used for octopus-lure sinkers: hāwaʻe, naninui, palaʻā, papa, pūlewa, waimano, ka-ua-ʻula, komana. (Pukui, 1991). Fishing was a big part of Hawaiian culture, hence the attention to naming practices and description in the language and specificity of terms.
Hawaii