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| Credit: depositphotos.com/Beatrice Preve |
Aloha
mai kākou,
Today’s
word of the day is…. “ i`a ” (pronounced ee`ah…remember the glottal stop that
has an abrupt stop before the next sound). I`a is the the general name
for fish or any marine animal. In ancient times, Hawaiians depended on fish as
an important protein in their diets. They were spiritually connected to the
ocean, knowing every aspect of the tides and the seasons of certain fish. They were also conservative, ensuring fish supply for the future. Their fish, salt, and
seaweed would be exchanged with other upland communities who had taro,
breadfruit, bananas, etc. They made their own hooks, lines, and nets, and they also build fishponds.
Many
of my uncles and cousins are talented fishermen, divers, and awesome cooks! One of my favorites that my uncles would cook for us is fried oama
(pronounced "oh wah mah"…. or the juvenile goatfish). They were fried in a wok,
sprinkled with some Hawaiian salt, and eaten whole! Sometimes he mixed up
a dip for the tasty morsels…. red wine vinegar, soy sauce and onions. Nowadays, overfishing, pollution, and other elements have severely drained
the fish supply. I sure miss the old days, when fish was abundant and
many tummies were full and satisfied!
A
hui hou,
Haunani
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