The Eel – “Puhi” – pronounced “Poo – Hee”

There are only two reasons to go after the Puhi in my humble opinion:

1st – because you are hungry, and are engaged in the learning process of “harvesting your area for survival”

2nd – “Rite of Passage” – To “truly begin to understand Local Ways”, it should be stated clearly here, some white guy coming from the mainland cannot just decide to camp out on some section of the coastline. This is earned, it’s ruff and tumble and the “locals” of the area “will see to it that you go away” should it be determined you are not “up to it," can't go the distance or do not have the “depth of commitment” to “respect” the “way of things." This is Spiritual as well as physical and you will be tested (turned every which way; every way but loose) until one day, if you are still there, – you might get a “quiet nod” “from down da beach” if you have “developed” the eyes to recognize it. (small example: regardless of your own hunger, should you get 3 fish, you give one back to the sea)

The above is mentioned/introduced in this passage because with the Puhi – life can get real serious – should not be attempted until one “is ready”- and still, one must be taught by someone who himself was taught – In short, no one just goes out one day and decides to catch an eel.

To be successful – by this time one must have located a stand of bamboo somewhere mauka – where the occasional cutting will not be missed – ( to live “the life” means you stay on the beach – out of town – an extremely low profile is required – walk everywhere – and remember – to survive requires all day spent diving – setting various traps – protecting them – harvesting them – collecting wood – making salt etc – so any time away from this pursuit must be made to count. Bamboo will be an essential for many things as your time/life/lessons evolve.

Cut your stalk where the diameter fits your enclosed hand nicely – say 2” diameter, and the joints are sealed – and approximately 8” – 10” long. Poke hole (you will always need a good knife on your person at all times) into both ends – run a 10’ to 15’ length of leader wire and bring short end around and splice to long end giving you a handle. At the opposite end select a good sized “treble fishing hook” and splice permanently.(I found that a small roll of copper wire essential for splicing – a multitude of uses for making permanent – strong – basic survival implements – ( more tools discussed later ).

All free divers who come and go from their favorite areas know where the various eel holes are – big eel, little eels – rule being if you are a novice – always assume every crevice has an eel and never stick your hand where you cannot see. You need to select several sites and they should always have a place – rocks – where your leverage – balance – feet are steady – best if you can sit down somewhere – so—1st find an appropriate location at shoreline – then dive/or walk in “appropriately” and look for the hole that will house the size eel you feel you can handle --- bigger the hole--- bigger the eel – for eating – no need bigger than 3 ft.

Now prior to “going for it” – an old hand will bait the holes in his area for a while as he moves along doing daily life chores by throwing a little “palu” into the area of holes. Palu is the waste from your fish generally but should include black crab – octopus – etc – all should be kept in a 5 gal bucket with lid ( A must have tool – several if possible ) – the stinkier the better)

Additionally you will need a “nail board” – “coin rock”(for hammering) – (never lava rock) – always keep a stash of 3-4 inch nails around in your “kitbag” along with that roll of copper wire –

Your “nail board” should be 3 -4 ft long –( min 5” wide) ( I found kiawe limb flattened down both sides approx. 4 inches thick the best. (no need haul around – keep in camp)

(In passing these vignettes along I have tried to include various necessities for Island life rather than make a master list – Survival life requires mobility – any and all things used and carried must have “multiplicity” of use – becoming a “minimalist” requires much thought – We are not talking a backpack here – We are talking about using what can be found on the shoreline – what you can place in pockets/ hang on an old canvas cartridge belt – tightly rolled up camouflaged military “bedroll liner”(across chest style) one hand on staff – one hand carrying the all important 5 gal bucket- period.)
 

So – to round this one out – Old steel mesh meat cutter gloves (Kevlar now if you can find them) – wire cutter/needle nose pliers – old time collapsible marshmallow skewers – box cutter.

Build a small fire – design for deep coals type – as with all fires – ring with coin or river rock only – never lava rock – (trapped air pockets can explode on you)

Put “palu” on treble hook well wrapped – dangle in front of eel hole - ----

Puhi does not nibble – his teeth are slanted backward – he is designed to strike hard and fast – keeping as much of his flat tail wedged back in his crevice as possible and still reach his target – get back into hole.

Your job is to yank him from his hole – fast – grab behind his head – (forget your bamboo handle) – smash his flat tail with a coin rock or “Ahi bat”- (all nerves of puhi go back to tail – when struck hard and fast the eel goes rigid – (like you receiving a bolt of electricity) – take his head, drive a nail through it and into your nail board solidly – use box cutter and make full cuts through skin on both sides – pull skin down from body – exposing vertebrae – cut between vertebrae – place on skewers – place over fire and roast slowly - “chicken of da sea” (when we were younger – “making big body” – showing off for the “older ones” (and if the eel was small enough) we would “bite da tail” ---- in a supreme effort to show we had mastered  the “old ways”.