A new study from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health highlights the physical and cultural benefits of spearfishing and how it can be used to promote well-being across the islands. Courtesy photo

Spearfishing, which holds deep traditional and cultural significance in Hawai’i, can be a pathway to better physical well-being, according to a new study by the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Researchers at UH Mānoa’s Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health found that spearfishing supports physical activity, strengthens cultural identity and promotes community bonds.

The study, published in PLOS One, was led by Lauryn Hansen, a 2023 Master of Public Health graduate, and Catherine Pirkle, a public health professor.

“Our findings highlight just how widely practiced spearfishing is among Indigenous and rural communities in Hawaiʻi,” Hansen said in a news release. “Recognizing and supporting activities that celebrate cultural identity allows for public health strategies that align with the values of our communities.”

Using data from the 2019 and 2020 Hawaiʻi Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, researchers found that about 25% of adults in the state had spearfished at some point.

The practice was especially common among Native Hawaiians (43%), other Pacific Islanders (36%), and residents of Molokai (43%) and Lanaʻi (51%).

Spearfishers were also more likely to meet national physical activity guidelines.

“Spearfishing is more than a sport, it’s a way of living,” said Rodrigo Barbano Weingrill, a researcher at the UH Institute for Biogenesis Research and avid spearfisher. “Especially in Hawaiʻi, where the keiki learn pretty young in their lives, and they take it as more than a hobby, but a way to help their families to bring food home.”

Barbano Weingrill, who has been spearfishing for 25 years, added that the sport requires strength, endurance and a healthy lifestyle, all of which promote cardiovascular health.

The study is part of a larger effort by UH and the Hawaiʻi Department of Health to highlight culturally relevant physical activities. Previous research has focused on hula and outrigger canoe paddling.

Researchers hope the findings will inspire more inclusive public health programs that integrate Indigenous practices into modern wellness strategies.