The Girl with the Fishhook Tattoo

If Nai‘a Lewis ever loses her way in life, all she needs to do is look at her wrist.

The intricate, serpentine tattoo that curls around her left forearm is more than just an interesting piece of body art. It’s a symbol of her Hawaiian roots, and a reminder of her responsibility to future generations. Starting with a spiral that represents the Native Hawaiian concept of pō — the “darkness” from which all life emanates — the design flows into the elegant curve of a makau (a traditional Hawaiian fishhook) symbolizing the intergenerational passing of knowledge and her role in life as a teacher and provider.

The fishhook also represents the constellation Ka Makau Nui o Māui, the great fishhook of Maui, known to many as Scorpio. The point of the hook is a pair of stars called Ka Maka (the eye), used by traditional wayfinders in navigation for thousands of years. “It helps me to remember to stay on course,” Nai‘a says.

Nai’a, whose name means “dolphin” in Hawaiian, was born and raised on O‘ahu — just a few miles from the sanctuary office in Maunalua (commonly known as Hawai‘i Kai), where she works as strategic initiatives coordinator for the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument. She spent much of her childhood in the water, swimming and paddling in traditional six-person canoes, and developed a love for Hawai‘i’s culture and natural environment at an early age.

“The values of Hawaiian culture are very connected with the natural world,” she says. “If you take care of the land, the land takes care of you.”

That deep spiritual link is reflected in Nai‘a’s kakau (tattoos), including an elaborate design that runs the length of her spine. She says it represents a sort of genealogy and carries a profound message: “We are part of a continuum; we are responsible to make a difference.”

“The act of getting a kakau is one that involves total commitment,” she says. “I got my kakau so that I could always be reminded of my values, commitment to community and family, my kuleana (responsibility), and my desire to stay connected to the past and future generations.”

Throughout her life, Nai‘a has explored her culture through art, from painting and pencil drawings to ceramics and silver smithing. She went to the University of Hawaii at Mānoa to pursue a career in fine arts, but found herself more interested in the impact of art than pure aesthetics. “I’ve always been interested in the statement that art makes — the way it inspires people to act,” she says.

Most recently, Nai‘a says she has been experimenting with an unusual form of mosaic. She hands out small squares for friends and colleagues to fill in independently then assembles the unique pieces into striking works of art.

Nai‘a began working with the monument in 2005, and when an opportunity arose to apply for a full-time staff position in 2007, she felt compelled to leave behind her life as a freelance graphic artist and “take the leap” into the 9-to-5 world of government. Today, she plays an integral role in bringing together people with diverse backgrounds and expertise for programs like Big Ocean, a network of managers from the world’s largest marine protected areas.

She is also deeply involved in education and outreach work, especially programs aimed at instilling a sense of the ecological and cultural importance of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands in Hawaiian youth.

“We call the islands our kūpuna, which means ‘elder,’ because they are older and there are things to be learned from them,” Nai‘a says. “When you think of the islands in that way, it’s a powerful idea!”

Nai‘a says her work perfectly blends her passion for culture, art and conservation. “I am grateful every single day for the job I have,” she says. “I get to take care of my own backyard and support not only the people of Hawai‘i, but my Native Hawaiian community, and to make it better. That’s pretty cool.”

- by Matt Dozier
National Marine Sanctuaries

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