The Weapons of Lua

Aloha. Lua (or Kapu Ku'ialua) is an ancient Hawaiian martial art. It is based on bone breaking, joint locks, throws, pressure point manipulation, strikes, usage of various weapons, battlefield strategy and open ocean warfare.

This fighting art was referred to as "Ku'ialua", literally meaning two hits.That name was subsequently given to the god of this martial art. Generally only those associated with the ali'i (nobility), such as professional warriors, guardsmen, and the royal families themselves, were taught Ku'ialua. However, during times of warfare, the maka'ainana (commoners) were also instructed in the basic movements and functions of the martial art.

The old warriors of this art would coat themselves with a thin layer of coconut oil and remove all of their body hair in order to be able slip away and avoid being grappled in battle. The word for Lua masters, olohe, literally means "hairless". Polynesians, before European contact, did not possess metal working technology so weapons were built from “found” items such as Koa wood, shells, bones and shark teeth. Weapons used in Lua ranged from iwi (bone knives) to the elaborate Lei-O-Mano (shark-tooth laden war clubs) and the gruesome Maka Pahoa (double-edged eye dagger). This set includes six iconic weapons with multiple color variants.