The 13 Most Common Traditional Hawaiian Weapons

Plus, how each weapon was used

Co-authored by Amy Bobinger, BA

Last Updated: May 19, 2026 Fact Checked

Hawaii has a rich and dramatic history that’s filled with powerful warriors. These warriors used traditional Hawaiian weapons called mea kaua. They were often made from hardwoods like koa and kauila, stones like basalt and obsidian, and even sharks’ teeth and marlin bills. In this article, we’re taking a closer look at 13 unique Hawaiian weapons, including what they’re made of and how they were used. Let’s get started!

Traditional Hawaiian Weapons

Download Image

An illustration of traditional Hawaiian weapons.

Hawaiian weapons, known as mea kaua, are often made from native hardwoods, stones, sharks’ teeth, and marlin bills. The most popular types of weapons included the lei o mano (shark tooth club or dagger), pāhoa (dagger), ihe (spear), and pikoi (tripping weapon).

1

Lei o Mano (Shark Tooth Weapon)

Download Article

Lei o mano are clubs or daggers that have niho mano, or shark teeth, inset around the edge. The sharp, serrated shark teeth provided a cutting edge on weapons—a crucial innovation before metal blades were available. The shark teeth are often lashed to the weapon with cordage, although they’re sometimes set with pegs. The weapons were sometimes simple, with only one tooth, or sometimes more complex, with up to 30 teeth.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Combat use: Lei o mano could be used for stabbing or slicing victims.
- Non-combat use: Shark-tooth weapons were sometimes used for carving wood or in food preparation.
- Lei o mano were sometimes hung from a cord around the neck (lei).

2

Pāhoa (Dagger)

Download Article

Pāhao are a type of dagger that’s unique to Hawaii. They were typically carved from a single piece of wood, with a blade at one or both ends. Swordfish beaks were also a common material for making daggers and other bladed weapons. A hole is usually drilled in the middle of the pāhoa so a wrist cord can be attached, giving the warrior a more secure hold on the weapon.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Combat use: Warriors used the pāhoa for stabbing opponents in close combat.
- Variants: There are several different types of pāhoa:
  - Truncheon daggers: 2–3 ft (0.61–0.91 m) long, straight like a spear tip
  - Bludgeon daggers: A blade on one end and a club-like base on the other
  - Long-bladed daggers: 1–3 ft (0.30–0.91 m) long with a double-edged blade
  - Curved-blade daggers: 1–2 ft (0.30–0.61 m) long with a clubbed end at the base and a thin, curved blade
  - Maka pāhoa: A dagger with a forked blade on one end

3

Ihe (Spear)

Download Article

The ihe was a short spear, usually around 6–8 ft (1.8–2.4 m) long. They often had a smooth tip that could be either rounded or sharpened. But the ihe laumeki had a barbed tip that may have been intended to break off if the spear hit a target.
- Combat use: Warriors often threw the ihe underhanded, although they were sometimes used for charging into battle. The ihe were also used defensively, usually to knock down spears thrown at the warrior.
- Non-combat use: Ihe were sometimes made with a notch in one end for use as an ‘auamo, or carrying pole. Other times, they were crafted with a blade on the base so they could be used as a farming tool for digging (‘ō’ō).

4

Ku’eku’e Lima Lei o mano (Knuckle Duster)

Download Article

The ku’eku’e lima lei o mano is a unique weapon similar to the knuckle dusters or brass knuckles we see today. They were often made from a carved wooden handle with a hand-sized opening in the center, although some were simply made of cord that tied around the hand. The outside of the weapon, which sat above the knuckles, was inset with shark teeth.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Combat use: This weapon was used for slashing or slicing during hand-to-hand combat.

5

Pololū (Pike)

Download Article

The pololū is a pike or long spear. It typically ranged from 9–18 ft (2.7–5.5 m) long. Thickened knobs at the base of the spear helped warriors maintain their grip, and the tip of the spear was around 1.5–2 in (3.8–5.1 cm) thick.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- Combat use: Warriors held their pololū tightly by their sides, then used them to stab or trip their enemies.
- Non-combat use: The pololū could be used as a walking stick or for vaulting over streams or lava.

6

Pikoi (Tripping Weapon)

Download Article

Pikoi were made from a long cord—as much as 18–42 ft (5.5–12.8 m)—attached to a heavy piece of stone or wood. It could be made with or without a wooden handle, and it was used to tangle up or trip enemies.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- Combat use: Warriors would whip the rope around in the air, then sling the weight toward their opponent. The rope would then wrap around the other person’s legs or body, allowing them to be brought to the ground easily.

7

Newa (Club)

Download Article

A newa (or lā’au pālau) is a short, crude club. It could be made of hardwood or stone. There were three main types of newa: a smooth-headed club made of polished hardwood or whale bone, a rough-headed club made from tree roots or limbs, and a stone-headed club made by lashing basaltic lava to a wooden handle. Smaller hand clubs could also be fashioned out of stone—the stone was worn so it was narrower in the center and flared at either end to make it easier to hold.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Combat use: A newa could deliver heavy blows, but it wasn’t as popular as lighter, heavier weapons like the pāhoa.

8

Ma’a (Sling)

Download Article

A ma’a is a sling made out of braided plant fibers or human hair. In the center of the sling was a pouch (‘eke’eke ma’a) that was used to hold an egg-shaped stone (ala).^{[7]
X
Research source}
- Combat use: Warriors whipped the slings above their heads, then let go of one end of the cord to fling the stone towards an enemy.

9

Adze (Cutting Tool) & Wood Polishers

Download Article

The adze was an important tool used in weapon crafting, but it was also used in hand-to-hand combat. It was made from a sharp piece of stone lashed to a club-like handle.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Combat use: Warriors often used their adzes like a club in battle.
- Non-combat use: Craftsmen used adzes to cut down trees and shape the wood into spears, clubs, and daggers. The craftsmen smoothed the wooden weapons with coarse stones, gradually moving to pumice, limestone, sharkskin, and basalt to put a fine polish on the wood. Coconut and kukui oil gave the weapons a shine and helped protect them.

10

Ka’ane (Strangling Cord)

Download Article

Strangling cords were not a common battle weapon—although their use in combat isn’t unheard of.^{[9]
X
Research source} However, they were primarily used as an executioner’s tool or a way of killing victims needed for a sacrifice. The ka’ane were made of braided cord with a small ivory or wooden handle at each end.^{[10]
X
Research source}
- Combat/Non-combat use: The rope was used to strangle victims; this was especially preferable when a sacrifice required that a person’s body should not be disfigured.

11

Ko’o Ko’o (Staff)

Download Article

The ko’o ko’o is a long wooden bo, or staff. It’s often used as a simple walking stick, but it can also be used in battle.^{[11]
X
Research source} They can be shorter—like the ko’o ko’o pokole, which is around 4 ft (1.2 m) in length—or longer, like the ko’o ko’o loa, which is around 6 ft (1.8 m) in length.
- Combat use: The ko’o ko’o staff could be used to strike enemies or to deflect blows.

12

Pahi kaua (Knife or sword)

Download Article

A pahi kaua is a knife or sword used in combat. The blade was often made from a swordfish bill. It wasn’t the most commonly used of Hawaiian weapons, but the sharp, slightly flexible swordfish bill provided a durable, versatile cutting edge.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- Combat use: The pahi kaua was used for stabbing or slicing enemies in combat.

13

Pana and Pua Pana (Bows and Arrows)

Download Article

Bows and arrows did exist in ancient Hawaii, but they were not commonly used as a weapon in either combat or land-based hunting. They were primarily used in the sporting game pana ‘iole—or rat shooting.
- Combat use: N/A