'Ala'ihi

 In lua, if one is an exceptional fighter with great skill, one is referred to as an 'Ala'ihi, due to the sharp spines this fish has on its fins. These sharp spines can cause severe pain if not handled correctly.

There is a chant done in ancient days to honor the alii Kamehameha or Tamahamaha as he was called. He is compared to the 'Ala'ihi fish," as being hard to handle or control, due to the long sharp spines of this i'a, which can cause pain and suffering, if one was unfamiliar with its handling.

Part of this chant speaks this line:

He 'Ala'ihi Kalaloa, he ia kukū, e pau 'ai nā lima i ka 'eke'eke...

A sharp spined fish is the 'Ala'ihi Kalaloa, which can hurt your hands and bring intense pain.

"A skilled warrior is this one, which will cause you to pull away.

The Hawaiian Dictionary explains

ʻala.ʻihi n.

1. Various species of squirrelfishes of the family Holocentridae, including Flammeo sammara (spotfin squirrelfish, 185 mm), Adioryx lacteoguttatus (whitespotted, 117 mm), A. diadema, (crown, 109 mm), A. xanterythrus (Hawaiian, 132 mm), A. tiers (Tahitian, 259 mm). The young are called ʻaʻalaʻihi. Unidentified kinds are qualified by the terms ākoʻakoʻa, kala loa or kanaloa, lā kea, māhū, maoli, and pilikoʻa.

2. Pale pink tapa; any faded color

3. A variety of sugar cane named for the fish, either a deep-red mutant of ʻāwela or related to it; internodes barrel-shaped, leaves purple. (HP 221, 224.)

'Ala'ihi

Kii: WorldFish Center - FishBase

 Red coloration, large eyes, and silvery-white stripes. 'Ala'ihi reaches approximately 6.5 inches in length and has a deep red dorsal fin with whitespine tips and a unique white line beneath its mouth. The spines are sharp and can poke one who is not eleu in handling them.

'Ala'ihi Kalaloa

Kii: Terry Lilley Underwater2web

'Ala'ihi Kalaloa is a light red to yellow fish. There is a long spur at the base of the gill that is said to contain poison and can deliver a sharp painful sting if miss handled.

Kepelino describes this fish in his writings of old:

He iʻa ʻulaʻula melemele maikaʻi ka ʻalaʻihi. He o'olea kona mau unahi, a he oi kona hope, a he akamai ia ina oe e ku'i i kou manamana lima ma luna ona. He iʻa liʻiliʻi kēia; ʻoi aku ka nui o ka hīnālea. He iʻa ʻono liʻiliʻi, a ua kaulana i waena o nā iʻa a pau. ʻElua ʻano o ka ʻalaʻihi: ʻo ka ʻalaʻihi kalaloa a me ka ʻalaʻihi e wehewehe ʻia nei. He iʻa maikaʻi kēia. Mai kona kua a hiki i kona poʻo, he ʻulaʻula melemele maikaʻi, a he nani kona umauma; ke ʻike ʻoe i kēia iʻa i loko o ke kai, e ʻā ana kona mau unahi me he aniani lā.

The ʻalaʻihi is a good red-yellowish fish. Its scales are rough, and its dorsal fin is sharp, and it smarts should you prick your finger on it. This is a small fish; the hīnālea is larger. It is a tiny delicious fish, and is well known among all fishes. The ‘alaʻihi has two varieties: the ‘alaʻihi kanaloa [also ʻalaʻihi kalaloa] and the ʻalaʻihi that is being described. This is a good looking fish. From its back to its head is a handsome yellowish red, and its chest it is fair; when you see this fish in the ocean, its scales flash just like a mirror.

 Kahoalii [Kepelino], “Mooolelo o na Ia Havaii,” Unpublished Manuscript. 1867. Bishop Museum Archives. HI.K.45, p. 14.