"Oh We're going to the Hukilau"

 I remember the song about the Hukilau, but didn't know the story behind it until
we moved here. Families in Laie years ago would put nets out in the ocean to catch
fish and have a fish fry to raise money for the ward building funds.  Huki means pull in
Hawaiiaan and lau means leaves. An Hawaaian man would go beside the highway
and wave people in to buy the fish. It just so happened he had lost his middle
fingers in a sawing accident. Thus he waved the "shaka" wave which now is
used frequently here and elsewhere and also for the "hang loose" symbol. To help
raise more money the Hawaiians started dancing at the fish fry's. This was
the beginnings of the Polynesian Cultural Center. Eventually  the money
raised was used to help support the PCC.

Here are the locals with numerous nets.  They are carefully folded in the
back of a boat and taken out into the ocean.

Carefully preparing the nets. They are all connected to make one
long net to trap the fish.

Myself and 2 sister missionaries, Sister Stott and Sister Seiler. Behind us
is one row net pullers getting ready to "huki" or pull the nets. There is
another row of people pulling the net in front of us.

Here is the catch that has been pulled up on the beach.

Even the littles one got in the act. It was so fun to be part of this
tradition.