"A Warrior Chief of Old Hawai'i "
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A warrior chief of old holds a weapon inset with shark teeth (lei o mano) in his left hand. In his right hand he holds a throwing spear (ihe).

The feathered cape and helmet were "battle apparel." The cape might be worn over the shoulders, but in battle it was pulled around the left side of the body and held forward with the left hand to snag a thrust from a dagger or the point of a thrown spear. In this position the right arm was exposed and free to wield a weapon. Feathers were black, white, red, yellow, green and the long rust-red and black feathers of the fighting cock. These were tied over a light netting of cord in a great variety of designs. In battle, the brilliant capes helped warriors identify and rally to their chiefs. The helmet made of strong, light weight basketry protected the head from the impact of stones shot from slings.

Hawaiian tattoo designs were generally not as bold as those of the South Pacific. At their first glimpse of Polynesians, some early Europeans in the Pacific mistook Polynesian tattooing for tight-fitting clothing. Sailors who admired the art returned to Europe sporting Polynesian tattoos. "Tattoo" comes from the Tahitian tatau (Hawaiian kakau).

Page 75, Voyagers