Roll of Fishing Line

A long roll of fishing line (aho). The line is thin and finely wound. A label is attached to the roll and indicates that the fishing line was made by hand.

Hawaiian fishing lines (aho) were used alongside nets, sinkers, and lures. Hawaiian fishermen employed diverse inshore, offshore, deep-sea, and night fishing methods, each requiring specialized equipment and carefully selected materials. ʻOlonā fiber was the preferred material for fishing lines due to its exceptional strength, flexibility, and durability, enabling lines to withstand the strain of large fish such as ʻahi (tuna) and kahala (amberjack), particularly in deep-sea fishing.