nal defeat and the match would end. Since this form of wrestling was also
displayed during the Makahiki ceremonies, it is also a form of sacred
wrestling (wrestling for religious purposes). In any case, the descriptions of
the art also state that injuries were common, just as in boxing. Competi-
tors expected danger.
Other martial disciplines that apparently were practiced by the an-
cient Hawaiians included the art of arrow cutting. This art, known as
yadomajutsuin Japan, was a series of techniques that taught the practi-
tioner to deflect arrows, spears, and javelins that were targeted at his per-
son. Skilled practitioners of this art could face multiple projectiles and have
the ability to dodge and deflect them without injury.
One of the best practitioners of this art was the greatest king in Hawai-
ian history: King Kamehameha I. As indicated earlier, this individual was re-
sponsible for the unification of the islands, which occurred just prior to Eu-
ropean colonization. Hawaiian oral legends tell of Kamehameha dodging
twelve spears thrown simultaneously at him. Even if this is an exaggeration,
it signifies the importance of this skill in Hawaiian warrior society.
The survival of Polynesian martial arts following the arrival of Euro-
peans was, as noted, very difficult. Firearms took away a great deal of the
necessity for hand-to-hand combat, and disease and cultural genocide took
its toll. There presently exist some modern forms of Polynesian unarmed
combat, most notably the system of lima-lama,which is translated as
“hands of wisdom.” The direct origin of this art is unknown. Most, if not
all, of the weapons systems that marked Polynesian armed combat have
disappeared.
Polynesian martial arts encompassed the arts of self-defense, but were
used for sport and religious purposes also. In this respect, they formed a
complete martial arts system that was practiced by peoples over a large area
of the globe. The lack of metal did not hamper the development of these
arts. Rather, the arts grew around the materials that were available. In this
respect, like many martial arts, the Polynesian arts were representative of a
particular time and culture, which allowed them to flourish and develop.
The martial arts of the South Pacific islanders have, unfortunately,
been lost to history. A shadow of them can still be seen in the traditional
dances performed for tourists, but these only reflect dimly what was once
a proud and unique history. The rediscovery of various forms of martial
arts is currently under way; therefore, the possibilities of a rebirth of Poly-
nesian arts cannot be discounted. In this respect, perhaps the future of
Polynesian martial arts will be brighter than their recent past.
Gene Tausk
See alsoBoxing, European; Form/Xing/Kata/Pattern Practice; Jûdô;
Wrestling and Grappling: Europe; Wrestling and Grappling: Japan
Pacific Islands 409