Last month, President Obama more than quadrupled the size of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument located in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and in doing so vastly expanded the protected area for sharks and other marine life.
The Hawaiian word for shark is manō. Sharks played many different roles in ancient Hawai‘i.
There were many shark gods, among them Kauhuhu who was the shark god of Moloka‘i. And there are many stories about sharks they have been passed down through the generations.
There is an old Hawaiian legend describing an encounter between a woman and shark. She was able to survive by telling the shark that he was her ‘aumakua. He decided that he would let her go and that she would be marked by his teeth. That way in the future he would know who she was.
It has been said that some Hawaiians tattoo their ankles to let sharks know that they are their ‘aumakua. A popular pattern found in kapa (barkcloth) is also the shark tooth pattern. It is associated with fierceness.
SHARK BITES
Species in Hawai‘i
There are 350 known species of sharks worldwide, 40 of which roam in Hawaiian waters.
Hawai‘i’s top sharks
The most commonly found are the white tip reef shark, scalloped hammerhead, sandbar shark and tiger shark.
Can tan too!?!?
Hammerheads tan near the ocean’s surface. They do this to improve their ability to camouflage. (Source: Discovery Channel)
Attraction
Although it’s common knowledge that sharks are highly attracted to blood, urine is also on the list. (Source: Maui Information Guide)
Surfing
Everyone knows that surfing is not for the faint at heart, probably because this activity has had many end up nice and close to sharks.
Shark Season
October through December has the highest number of shark-related incidents.
Catch a Tiger Shark
Perhaps it’s not the smartest idea to catch one, but you can know the location of one by tracking through this website: http://www.pacioos.hawaii.edu/projects/sharks.
Sharks vs. Dogs
There have been more deaths by dogs than sharks.
1st Time
The first documented shark attack in Hawai‘i was in 1882.
Most Aggressive
The hot heads of the ocean are Galapagos and tiger sharks.
Compiled by Itzel Contreras Mendez, Ka ‘Ohana Staff Reporter