Puhi
“Puhi niho wakawaka.”
An eel with pointed teeth. A fierce and fearless warrior.
“He puhi ke aloha, he i‘a noho i ke ale.”
Love is like an eel, the creature that dwells in the sea cavern. Love makes one restless in the mind, like the writhing of an eel.
‘Olelo No‘eau (Hawaiian Proverb), Mary Kawena Pukui
Puhi (eels) are one of the most abundant and diverse coral reef fish. With around 42 indigenous species, the Hawaiian Islands host a quarter of all the puhi species found in the world. They live in holes in the coral reef, coming out to prey on small fish, crabs, and octopus, especially at night.
The Hawaiian language has so many variations of puhi that their importance and distinctions are clearly apparent. They also play a part in many Hawaiian legends. Some puhi are also considered to be ‘aumakua (spiritual guardians).
– David Shepard