Kao or fishing spears were made of hard woods such as kauila, o'a , koai'e and uhiuhi. They were about six or seven feet long which could be as long as the person using it. One end of the spear was very sharp. During the day time, Hawaiians spear fished while swiming underwater and while walking in shallow reef areas. At night, they could still walk along the reef, with the help from a kukui nut torch.

The average spear was 6 to 7 feet long.

Hawaiians speared reef fish like the weke, aholehole and manini. To spear a fish one must first get yourself into a half-crouching position, like you're ducking into a cave. Be as still as stone, so you don't scare the fish away. Then, wait patienly for the right fish to come on by. When you see the perfect opportunity throw the spear a little in front of the fish you are trying to catch. Be swift and accurate because they are as fast as bullets. So, if you throw it too far in front you'll hit rock bottom. If you throw it at the middle of the fish , by the time the spear hits the water, the fish will be gone!