1. Hukilau (also: Huki Lau)

Name of a traditional Hawaiian fishing event.

A hukilau is a community fishing event where a large seine net is cast into the ocean, and the residents herd the fish into the net. The net is then pulled to shore by all.

2. Hukilau (also: The Hukilau Song)

Name of a 1948 song.

The Hukilau Song was written by Jack Owens in Honolulu, in 1948. Owens wrote the song one night when he could not sleep because he was suffering from painful sunburn.

The origins of the song can be traced back eight years. In 1940, the Mormon temple in Laie was destroyed by fire. The local community organized a hukilau to raise money to rebuild the structure. Hamana Kalili, a professional fisherman, provided nets to catch fish for the celebration, while others provided assorted foodstuffs. A hula show was also organized and the first hukilau fundraiser was held in 1947. The two-hundred fifty guests who attended were charged $5.00 each, and the event netted $1,250.

The following year, Owens wrote the The Hukilau Song for the next year's event. Eventually, Owens presented the song to Don Ho, who recorded it as a hit single.

Lyrics for The Hukilau Song:

Oh, we're going to a hukilau
To a huki, huki, huki, huki, hukilau
Everybody loves a hukilau
Where the laulau is the kau kau at the hukilau
We'll throw our nets out into the sea
And all the ama ama come-a swimming to me
Oh, we're going to a hukilau
Huki, huki, huki, huki, hukilau

What a beautiful day for fishing
In the old Hawaiian way
All the hukilau nets are swishing
Down in old Laie Bay
Oh, we're going to a hukilau
A huki, huki, huki, huki, hukilau
Everybody loves a hukilau
Where the laulau is the kau kau at the hukilau
We'll throw our nets out into the sea
And all the ama ama come-a swimming to me
Oh, we're going to a hukilau
Huki, huki, huki, huki, hukilau



Updated February 19, 2005