Lacking any metal fasteners, every part of the Hawaiian Canoe had to be lashed into place. The making of strong cordage was essential for the construction of a canoe.
By Herb Kane
Kua'iako
Kua'iako
Lanalana
Pe'a
Kupe
Nīao
Moʻo
Prior to Western contact and the introduction of metal tools and fasteners, every component of the Hawaiian Canoe was lashed into place. The Kuaʻiako lashings (fig 1 and 4) to the Lanalana lashing (fig 2), to the Moʻo (fig3), Kupe (fig 6) and Peʻa (fig 5), were all held together with Aho .
In todayʻs canoes, lashings are largely confined to the Kuaʻiako lashings, the Lanalana lashings, and the lacing of the Peʻa. The Moʻo are today glued to the Nīao and the Kupe are made in one piece and usually glued or screwed to the Nīao of the Kaʻele.
'AHO HOA WA'A
Canoe Lashing
Aho Hoa Waʻa — Lashing the Canoe
Aho hoa waʻa is the term used in our canoe-building tradition for the process of lashing the ʻiako to the kaʻele (hull) and securing the ʻiako to the ama (outrigger float).
When lashing the ʻiako to the kaʻele, several turns of cordage are passed around the wae, over the ʻiako, and through the puka ʻiako (lashing holes near the upper edge of the hull). The cordage is then brought back over the ʻiako and around the wae. This process is repeated in a carefully arranged pattern until the ʻiako is firmly secured to the hull.
When attaching the ʻiako to the ama, several turns are taken around the ama, crossing over the upper surface of the end of the ʻiako before returning around the ama. The turns are arranged to cross and secure one another at different points.
These interwoven patterns serve an important structural purpose. By crossing and securing the cordage at multiple points, the lashings help prevent the entire assembly from loosening should one or more strands break. The arrangement also distributes the forces acting upon the connections between the hull, ʻiako, and ama.
Traditional lashings were designed to withstand the tremendous forces generated by ocean swells and breaking surf. Their strength came not simply from being tightly bound, but from the arrangement of the wraps, which provided a secure connection while allowing a degree of controlled flexibility. This helped absorb and distribute the twisting and impact forces exerted upon the canoe in rough seas.
The rigging of a traditional Hawaiian canoe was a solemn and highly personal undertaking. Talking was kept to a minimum, and the person performing the lashings maintained intense concentration to ensure that each wrap was correctly positioned and properly tightened.
Certain rigging practices were conducted under kapu, restricting access to the canoe and the area where the work was being performed. The cultural responsibilities surrounding these practices were considered just as important as the technical skill required.
There were many different lashing patterns, each designed to provide a secure connection while accommodating particular construction requirements. Individual canoe builders and lashers also developed variations in their techniques, incorporating personal knowledge, experience, and craftsmanship.
Although the basic principles of securing the canoe remained consistent, these variations allowed each skilled practitioner to express a distinctive approach to the art of canoe rigging.
The lashing names presented here are in our hoʻomaʻa. Other hoʻomaʻa have different names for the same lash pattern presented here.
Kua'iako
Lanalana
Kua 'iako lashing refers to the main 'iako to Ka'ele lashing. The Kua 'iako is the part of the 'iako that spans the hull directly over the wae. There were reportedly many forms of Kua 'iako lashings but today there are two main forms of lashing that are still known. In our Halau they are called the Pa'a Li'a lashing and the Pa'a Li'a Pa'a lashing. There are variations in how the lashing was started. The first of the two used in our Halau is the "Pa'a Piko" . It begins with one end secured to the wae with a clove hitch. The entire rope was then woven over the 'iako and through the puka 'iako. The second method called the "Puka Lou" starts with a loop made in the middle of the rope then securing this loop to the middle of the Wae. Each end was then woven over the Kua 'iako and through the puka 'iako to complete the lash. Below are two examples of Kua 'iako lashings.
Lanalana, which means "to float" refers to the lashing of the 'iako to the ama. The end of the 'iako that was lashed to the ama was called the Kapu'ai. There were many ways to lash the ama to the 'iako some of which were very intricate and beautiful. At times multicolored lashing cord was used to enhance the beauty of the lash. Below are two examples of Lanalana lashings.
Hi'iau
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Hi'i: To hold or carry in the arms (like a child)
Au: movement or current
Pa'a: Firm, Solid, tight, secure
Li'a: Strong desire, crave, wish for ardently
The Pa'a Li'a style of lashing is more common today. This lashing secures the 'iako to the wae in one central place. The turns around the outer sections of the 'iako are secured to the mo'o by going through the puka 'iako.
The Hi'iau lashing consists of interwoven turns of rope that cross at the end of the 'iako directly above the center of the ama then drop down and around the ama. In this example a (Pou) or peg is used to keep the aho or cordage from slipping off the end of the 'iako. A groove could be cut at the end of the 'iako to replace the pou.
Kākua
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Kākua: To bind or fasten on, as a belt or sarong.
Repeating paʻa emphasizes firmness, strength, and security, together with the strong desire expressed by liʻa.
The Pa'a Li'a Pa'a style is less common than the Pa'a Li'a style. This lashing, however, is very firm because the 'iako is lashed to the wae in three places. One in the center of the wae and two at the edge of the wae near the mo'o.
The Kākua lashing also has an interwoven cross at the end of the 'iako but also wraps around a peg or "pou" secured at the end of the 'iako specifically for this purpose.
Common Lashing Variations
Hili
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Hili : means to braid, is used to describe the lashing pattern where each turn over the 'iako and under the wae alternate.
Kaukahi
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Kaukahi: is used to describe the form of lashing where one side of the pattern is completed before completing the other side of the lashing.
Pueo
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Pueo: is used to describe the method of finishing a lashing where the end of the line is slipped under the main lashings on the top of the Kua'iako in an alternating pattern.
ʻŪwi
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'Ūwi: means to squeeze, and is used to describe the method of finishing a lash by squeezing the center lashings with several wraps and tying it off with a knot.
Placement of the Ama in relation to the Ka'ele
Placement of the Ama in Relation to the Kaʻele
In describing the traditional Hawaiian canoe, the English word outrigger commonly refers to the entire stabilizing arrangement. Hawaiian terminology, however, identifies the individual components of this system. The two curved booms connecting the float to the canoe hull are called the ʻiako, while the float itself is called the ama.
Traditional Hawaiian waʻa kaukahi (single-outrigger canoes) used one ama, almost always attached to the left (port) side of the kaʻele (hull).
The outrigger system should not be understood simply as an attachment that prevents the canoe from overturning. It is better understood as a balancing system that continually responds to the movement of the canoe and the surrounding ocean.
How the Ama Provides Stability
The ama works through a combination of distance, leverage, weight, and buoyancy.
Because the ama is held away from the hull by the ʻiako, even a relatively small float can exert considerable influence over the canoe's balance. The farther the ama is positioned from the hull, the greater the leverage of the forces acting upon it.
The ama provides stability through two different but complementary actions.
When the canoe leans toward the ama, the float is pushed farther into the water. Its buoyancy resists this downward movement, helping to prevent the canoe from overturning toward the ama side. The natural buoyancy of woods such as wiliwili and hau makes them particularly suitable for this purpose.
When the canoe rolls in the opposite direction, lifting the ama upward, the weight of the ama provides a counterbalancing force. As the float rises out of the water, its weight resists the lifting movement and helps prevent the canoe from overturning away from the ama. Thus, the same ama provides stability through buoyancy in one direction and weight in the other.
This changing relationship is one of the most important features of the Hawaiian outrigger system. The ama does not simply hold the canoe upright. It continually responds to the changing forces produced by waves, wind, and the movement of people aboard the canoe.
Distance Between the Hull and Ama
The distance between the kaʻele and ama is extremely important.
Increasing this distance generally increases the leverage provided by the ama and its ability to resist rolling. However, placing the ama excessively far from the hull can also create problems.
In rough seas, the hull and ama seldom rise and fall together. As a swell passes beneath the canoe, the hull may rise while the ama drops, or the ama may rise while the hull settles. These opposing movements create bending, twisting, and pulling forces throughout the ʻiako and their lashings.
The greater the distance between hull and ama, the greater the leverage of these forces upon the outrigger assembly.
An ama positioned too far outward can also affect the canoe's steering and responsiveness. Under certain conditions, the ama may strike the water heavily, producing abrupt movements that make the canoe feel stiff or jerky rather than smooth and balanced.
For these reasons, the placement of the ama represents a compromise between stability, structural strength, and maneuverability.
In our experience with traditional Hawaiian single-outrigger canoes approximately 20 to 40 feet long, the ama was generally positioned five to seven feet outward from the side of the kaʻele (hull). This spacing provided satisfactory stability while limiting excessive strain on the ʻiako and maintaining responsive handling.
Weight of the Ama
The weight of the ama is another important consideration.
Traditional-style ama can vary considerably in weight, depending upon their size, shape, and the wood from which they are constructed. Ama weighing approximately 30 to 60 pounds are familiar within the range of canoes discussed here.
Wiliwili was the preferred wood because of its exceptional buoyancy. Hau, although also suitable for constructing an ama, is generally denser and produces a heavier float of comparable dimensions.
In our experience, an ama weighing approximately 50 pounds performs particularly well on a traditional Hawaiian sailing canoe. The additional weight helps resist excessive lifting of the ama during gusts and rough sea conditions.
An ama that is too light may rise or bounce too readily, making the canoe more difficult to control. Conversely, excessive ama weight can increase drag and place additional demands upon the ʻiako and lashings.
The proper weight must therefore be considered in relation to the size, design, and intended use of the canoe.
Strength of the ʻIako
The ʻiako must possess sufficient strength and thickness to withstand the constant movements between the hull and ama.
For traditional Hawaiian single-outrigger canoes approximately 20 to 40 feet long, ʻiako around three inches in diameter have proven suitable in our experience. Larger canoes, or those intended for particularly demanding conditions, may require correspondingly stronger ʻiako.
The shape, wood quality, and manner in which the ʻiako are lashed are equally important. The ʻiako must be strong enough to withstand the forces exerted upon them while retaining the controlled flexibility that characterizes traditional Hawaiian canoe construction.
Toe-In of the Ama
Another important consideration is the horizontal alignment of the ama in relation to the hull. Traditionally, the forward end of the ama was often angled slightly inward toward the hull. This arrangement is called toe-in.
Because the ama creates drag on the left side of the canoe, it can cause the canoe to pull in that direction. Slight toe-in helps compensate for this tendency and improves the canoe's ability to maintain its course.
The amount of toe-in depends upon the size of the canoe, the distance between the hull and ama, and the handling characteristics of the completed vessel.
Vertical Placement of the Ama
Equally important is the vertical relationship between the hull and ama.
When rigging a traditional Hawaiian canoe, we prefer the bottom of the ama to be positioned approximately two to three inches above the lowest point of the hull. This establishes the initial vertical relationship between the two components.
When the canoe is floating unloaded or lightly loaded, we also prefer the hull to have a slight downward tilt toward the ama side.
This intentional ama-down position is important to the canoe's balance.
As crew members, equipment, and sail pressure affect the canoe, the hull may tend to roll away from the ama. If the canoe is initially rigged perfectly level, the ama may lift excessively or lose consistent contact with the water under certain operating conditions.
This can cause the canoe to feel loose, twitchy, or difficult to control.
By establishing a slight tilt toward the ama when lightly loaded, the canoe can maintain a more consistent relationship between the hull and float as operating conditions change.
The ama remains more effectively engaged with the water, while the forces transmitted through the ʻiako and lashings are better controlled.
The result is a canoe that feels more stable, responsive, and predictable in rough water.
The Ama as Part of a Living System
These relationships illustrate an important principle of traditional Hawaiian canoe design.
The canoe was not designed simply to resist the ocean through rigid strength. Its hull, ʻiako, ama, and lashings work together as an interconnected system capable of responding to changing conditions.
The hull rises and settles with passing waves. The ama alternately provides buoyant support and counterbalancing weight. The ʻiako and lashings transmit and distribute the forces between them.
Proper rigging does not eliminate movement. It allows movement to remain balanced and controlled.
The effectiveness of the Hawaiian outrigger system lies not in the strength of any single component, but in the proper relationship between all its parts.
