README: Hawaiian Names of Marine Invertebrates

Because of their close relationship with the ocean and their dependence on marine organisms for food, tools and medicine, Hawaiians were quite detailed and specific in the names they used to identify marine animals and plants. The enclosed listing of Hawaiian names for marine invertebrates is derived from the information provided in the publication Native Use of Marine Invertebrates in Old Hawaii by Margaret Titcomb (Pacific Science 32(4):325-391. The published sources of information for the listing are provided in the publication's bibliography. In addition, the identification of the abbreviations of names for other sources shown in the listing are as follows:

Andrews - Andrews, Lorrin (1865). A Dictionary of the Hawaiian Language. Honolulu, Henry M. Whitney

De Laubenfels - De Laubenfels, M. W. "Sponges of Hawaii" News Circular No. 9, Hawaii Marine Lab, June 28, 1950

EHB - Bryan, E. H. (1933). Hawaiian Nature Notes. Honolulu Star Bulletin, Honolulu. 285 pp.

EKA - Aukai, E. K. The names were copied from a curator's reference copy of Reef and Shore Fauna of Hawaii, 1st ed., into which had been written the Hawaiian names. Mr. Aukai was shown a series of specimens in December 1936.

MKP - Pukui, M. K., personal communication. Mrs. Pukui was shown specimens from the Bishop Museum collection, and she supplied the names and other information when she knew the answers.

Niihau Lei, Acc. No. 5983. - The Bishop Museum has a collection of marine shell necklaces from Niihau, Accession No. 5983. The Hawaiian names were attached to the shells making up the lei.

PE - Pukui, Mary Kawena and Samuel H. Elbert. 1961. Hawaiian-English Dictionary. Univ. of Hawaii Press, Honolulu.

WAB - Bryan, William Alanson. 1915. Natural History of Hawaii. Honolulu, 596 pp.

WR - Wiggin, Pa'ahana, and "Auntie" Reist, mother and aunt respectively, of Mrs. Mary K. Pukui. Names written in pencil under the pictures in Mrs. Pukui's copy of the 1933 edition of Reef and Shore Fauna of Hawaii.

Questions or comments may be sent to:
Steve Coles slcoles@bishopmuseum.org.
Department of Natural Sciences
Bishop Museum
1525 Bernice St.
Honolulu, HI 96817

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