Hand Carved Koa Wood Makau Necklace, Polynesian Engraving

Hafa Adai, Aloha and Talofa! Or Hello- thanks for checking out my Polynesian & Micronesian Jewelry Collection. Thank you so much for shopping with small businesses like ours! The necklace here is an adjustable surfer cord 30” in length- wear it surfer or boho style! 😜🤙🏼 Please note this is a very light wood and weighs under .20 oz. Perfect for wearing for long durations. Acacia koa is a species of flowering tree in the family Fabaceae. It is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands, where it is the second most common tree. The highest populations are on Hawaiʻi, Maui and Oʻahu. Its name in the Hawaiian language, koa, also means brave, bold, fearless, or warrior. The unpredictable nature of the Pacific Ocean and the fickle nature of fish behavior have led to the development of this special good luck charm. The fish hook symbol came to be known as makau. Hawaiian legend states that the demigod Maui went fishing with his brothers. He caught the bottom of the ocean floor with his magical hook makau. In this way he pulled up and created the Hawiian islands. With a creation story like that, it’s obvious why Hawaiians see the makau symbol as so special. But the fish hook symbol doesn’t only represent Maui’s greatest catch, but it also symbolizes the connection between humans and the ocean. The hook also brings prosperity, good luck, and strength to all who wear the symbol.