21-04-2025
‘It's a way of living:' How spearfishing links to wellness, community
HONOLULU (KHON2) — It's no secret that spearfishing is deeply rooted in Hawaiian culture. The University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa revealed a new study that links the activity to overall wellness.
According to UH, researchers found a strong connection between spearfishing and physical identity, cultural identity and food security.
Overnight camping at Bellows Beach Park suspended until August
Spearfishing is more than a sport, it's a way of living. It's something we learn pretty young in our lives and we take it as more than a hobby, but a way to help our families to bring food home.
Rodrigo Barbano Weingrill, UH researcher and avid spearfisher
Officials used data from the Hawaiʻi Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey to determine that one in four Hawaiʻi residents has spearfished at least once in their lives.
Out of those who have tried spearfishing, 43 percent were Native Hawaiian and 36 percent were other Pacific Islanders.'It was really validating to see a lot of those results—to actually see that more Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders are spearfishing compared to other groups in Hawaiʻi, and how prevalent that activity really is,' said Lauryn Hansen, UH public health study lead.
Barbano Weingrill added that the activity has major benefits for cardiovascular health as it requires strength, endurance and a healthy lifestyle.
Activities such as hula and outrigger canoe paddling also present the same health benefits.
'We really wanted to make sure that what we're seeing in day-to-day life here is actually reflected in the science, and people can take those numbers and use them,' Hansen said.
Check out more news from around Hawaii
UH said bridging culture and modern health can create a model for public health programs, which could benefit communities across the islands.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
