Sling Stone

A stone sling stone (pōhaku ʻalā), light brown in color, roughly oval in shape.

Sling stones (ʻalā a ka maʻa or pōhaku ʻalā) were weapons in Hawaiʻi, used in conjunction with the sling (maʻa), which was fashioned from materials such as human hair, coconut fiber cord, or plaited pandanus leaf. The stones could come in a variety of forms. Some were oval with tapered ends, while others were naturally rounded pebbles; many were intentionally shaped from basalt through grinding to enhance their aerodynamic qualities. Their effectiveness depended not solely on their form but also on the skill of the warrior. Through sustained training, Hawaiian warriors cultivated the speed, accuracy, and control necessary to employ the sling as a formidable weapon.