Eels live in dark holes in the shallows of coral reefs. They are like snakes of the sea. The Hawaiian word for eels is puhi. To catch a puhi, Hawaiian fishermen would let a short line into a hole and slip it over the puhi's head. Special maka puhi (eel hooks) had two opposite barbs to help prevent the puhi from wiggling off.

Puhi could also be caught by hand, but it was harder and more dangerous. Puhi have sets of shartp teeth. They are very quick and their flexible body allows them to move them through the water and hide in small places.

So to catch an eel by hand, the Hawaiian fisherman would put his hand in the water, and put some bait into his hand. When the eel came up, he'd snatch it quickly. Hawaiians could also use a basket trap with a special pocket for bait. Fishermen would put tainted fish in the bait pocket, drop the basket in reef holes and caves, and leave it there overnight. There was a stone sinker tied to the bottom of the trap, and a long cord with a wooden float tied to the end of it. The trap was lifted out of the water the next morning in hopes of bring up a catch of eels.