Niuhi/Lala-Kea/Kihikihi

The Niuhi is a class of man eating sea creature from Hawaiian myth. An alternate name Lala-Kea was once treated as a proper name, but eventually became synonymous with this classification. Sometimes any shark measuring over 3.5 meters is identified as a Niuhi, though they are sometimes believed to be the souls of demigods entering sharks after, or even before, their death. Alternate names like Lālākea refers to reef sharks, and Kihikihi refers to hammerhead sharks. They are believed to be capable of taking human form, have glowing fiery eyes, and are feared for their ferocity and reputation to devour all people. They are dark grey in color with lighter underbodies, tail lobes nearly equal in length, and thick, heavy bodies. In songs of the traditional Hula Manó (shark dance), it is referred to as a monstrous shark with triple banked teeth. For the average person, this was an indication to return to shore as fishing will be spoiled, and the shark may attack their boat. Some see these creatures as a metaphor of humanities relationship with the ocean. Some individuals were allowed to hunt for Niuhi, while it was forbidden and considered taboo for any others to hunt them. When Niuhi were caught, they would not be eaten, but their teeth would be made into prized knives. They can be found in temperate and tropical areas, identified by their glowing eyes seen in the water at night. They required vast amounts of bait to catch and would be lured in with the decomposing body of a pig as it would be attracted to the grease. The Niuhi were comfortable with being touched (as they are thought to be tamable like pet pigs) and hunting the Niuhi would involve making it accustomed to touch, sneaking a noose around their body, and then pulling them in after a great struggle. Warriors and chiefs who successfully hunt Niuhi are thought to gain their power. They are theorized to possibly be related to the tiger shark.

Citations:

Fantasy and Myth in the Anthropocene: Imagining Futures and Dreaming Hope in Literature and Media. United Kingdom, Bloomsbury Publishing, 2022.

The Story of Hawaii: History, Customs, Mythology, Geography & Archaeology. N.p., e-artnow, 2021.

Taylor, Leighton R.. Sharks of Hawaii: Their Biology and Cultural Significance. United States, University of Hawaii Press, 1993.

Titcomb, Margaret, and Pukui, Mary Kawena. Native Use of Fish in Hawaii. United States, University of Hawaii Press, 1972.