GT25's Historical Series: Hawaiian Koa vs. Australian Aboriginal
Hello, and welcome to the Historical Series. In this series, we will take warriors from across the world and throughout history and mythology and analyze their weapons, armor, and x-factors to see who would win in a hypothetical battle. For this installment, we will compare two warriors from the separate sides of Oceania with the Hawaiian Koa and the Australian Aboriginal. In this installment, we will take both warriors during the 18th century around the time that European explorers arrived to Hawaii and Australia. As these two warriors are relatively unknown to many, I will be giving a brief summary of their histories for those who wish to know their history.
History of the Warriors
While the exact dates of the discovery and habitation of Hawaii are a subject of academic debate, the second wave of mass migration to the islands took place in the 11th century. It's history marked by a slow, steady growth in population and the size of the chiefdoms which would grow to encompass whole islands. The local chiefs, known as Ali'i, would rule their settlements with the elite warriors known as the Koa. Their name originating from the tree which they fashioned their weapons, these warriors dedicated their lives to the service of the high chiefs and were trained from childhood in sports to help strengthen their body. These warriors would battle other rival kingdoms and defend their communities from said rival kingdoms. Later in their history, the Koa warrior would battle the British Empire when they attempted to explore the Hawaiian Islands. The most well known of these battles would be the death of Captain James Cook when he attempted to kidnap the Ali'i of Kohala.
With the earliest evidence of humans arriving to Australia being from at least 65,000 years BCE, the people who migrated to the continent would establish settlements and become the Indigenous, or Aboriginal, people of the country. Mainly living as foragers and hunter-gatherers, the Aboriginals would make use of fire to as a tool to drive game to where they want and opening up the dense forests that were common to Australia. While Aboriginal society was generally semi-nomadic, the mode of life and material cultures varied greatly between regions with permanent settlements and agriculture in some areas. With the population split into about 250 individual nations with each nation having separate, often related clans, the British Empire would arrive on the Australian east coast in the late 18th century and would cause the Aboriginals to become hostile as they started to compete with the European settlers for resources and occupation of their lands.
Close Range
Long Lei O Mano (Hawaiian Koa): The Long Lei O Mano, or Shark Tooth Club, is used by many Polynesian cultures and is a club lined with shark teeth attached by cord. Unlike the one from the Deadliest Warrior show, this Lei O Mano is much more narrow giving it more the shape of a sword than a spade. An example of this type of club has a length of about 24 inches and weighs about 2 pounds.
Nulla Nulla Club (Australian Aboriginal): The Waddy, or Nulla Nulla, is a wooden club used for both hunting and fighting along with being used as a projectile weapon. An example of this type of club has a length of 24.41 inches and has a possible weight of 1.25 pounds.
Verdict: The Long Lei O Mano gets the edge. While both are about the same length, the Long Lei O Mano has the addition of shark teeth to add to its lethality. In addition, the shape of this type of Lei O Mano allows the user more options and a greater surface area for striking than the head of the Nulla Nulla.
Medium Range
Polulu (Hawaiian Koa): The Polulu is a wooden javelin that has the end carved into a spear tip and the sides of the javelin after the tip are lined with shark teeth. An example of this javelin has a length of 72 inches, or 6 feet, and weighs about 3 pounds.
Sawfish Rostrum (Australian Aboriginal): The Sawfish Rostrum is a type of sword club made from the rostrum of a sawfish and uses the teeth as blades. This weapon is similar to the Macuahuitl used by the Aztecs, but using teeth like the Lei O Mano instead of obsidian shards. An example of this type of club has a length of 48 inches, or 4 feet, and weighs about 3 pounds.
Verdict: Neither weapon gets the edge. While the Sawfish Rostrum is similar to the Macuahuitl, the sword club is most likely weaker due to the use of the teeth of a Sawfish instead of obsidian shards. On the flip side, the spear tip of the Polulu is made from the wooden pole used for the weapon and is more of a ranged weapon than a melee weapon.
However, the Sawfish Rostrum is still a useful weapon as it can still be used much like the Aztec club and could be used to saw through an opponent. Likewise, the length of the Polulu allows it to be used as a spear if needed and the shark teeth behind the spear tip can cause internal damage if it gets into an opponent. To put it simply, both weapons have their faults and strengths that make them relatively even in this comparison.
Long Range
Shark Tooth Axe (Hawaiian Koa): The Shark Tooth Axe is a wooden club with a crescent shape side that has shark teeth attached to it by cord. This axe was utilized both as a melee weapon and a throwing axe when needed. An example of the Shark Tooth Axe has a length of 24 inches and weighs about 2 pounds.
Woomera & Throwing Spear (Australian Aboriginal): The Woomera is a spear throwing devise, much like the Atlatl, that has a shape of a leaf with a hollow, curved cross-section. One end of the devise is more pointed and has a hook that allows the user to launch a wooden spear with a flint spearhead. An example of the Woomera has a length of 36 inches and possibly weighs about 3 pounds with the spears used seeming to be about 5 feet, or 60 inches, in length.
Verdict: The Woomera gets the edge. Both weapons are capable ranged weapons with the Shark Tooth Axe being just as capable in melee combat. However, the user of the Woomera can launch a spear farther than the user of the Shark Tooth Axe can throw and the Woomera has more ammo with the spears that it can launched.
Special Weapons
Koa Knuckle Duster (Hawaiian Koa): The Knuckle Duster used by the Koa is a wooden weapon that functions much like actual knuckle dusters and uses shark teeth. While some versions make use of a Marlin bill as a spike on the top, this particular version will be a version without it. An example of the Koa Knuckle Duster without the Marlin bill has a length of 7 inches and weighs about 1 pound.
Boomerang (Australian Aboriginal): The Boomerang is a curved wooden or bone tool often used for hunting and this version is not capable of returning to the user. An example of the hunting version of the Boomerang has a length of 24 inches and weighs about 1 pound.
Verdict: The Koa Knuckle Duster gets the edge. Despite the Boomerang being longer, the hunting Boomerang is typically just used for hunting while the Knuckle Duster is an actual weapon. Plus, much like Close Range, the Knuckle Duster makes use of shark teeth to make it more lethal than the all wooden Boomerang.
Armor
None (Hawaiian Koa): The Hawaiian Koa does not wear armor. While the Ali'i chiefs would wear Mahiole feather helmets, the normal Hawaiian Koa wouldn't usually wear this type of helmet.
Wooden Shield (Australian Aboriginal): During times of combat and when hunting, the Aboriginal made use of a medium sized wood shield that is generally oval in shape. This shield was typically made from the wood of a Eucalyptus tree that seems to be held by a wooden grip in the center of the shield.
Verdict: The Wooden Shield gets the edge. Since the Australian Aboriginal is the only one whose bringing any type of armor for this battle, it'd be obvious that the edge would go to their armor.
X-Factors
Physicality: This is where the Hawaiian Koa gets the edge. A typical Hawaiian Koa is someone who was trained to choke an opponent out and break their foe's neck and bones with their hands. On the other hand, a typical Australian Aboriginal is someone who has to endure the environment of Australia and the hot climate.
Training: The Hawaiian Koa was training in a Hawaiian martial art known as 'Ku'ialua', or simply 'Lua', that is based off many areas including the use of weapons in combat. The Australian Aboriginal, on the other hand, was typically trained in how to hunt and how to use their weapons in combat.
Endurance: Thanks to their training, the Hawaiian Koa is able to keep their muscles limber and active for combat. Due to their homeland and its different ecosystems, the Australian Aboriginal is able to endure the hot climate that they were born in.
Killer Instinct: This is where the Australian Aboriginal gets the edge. While the Hawaiian Koa are able to break a foe's neck, they only killed in extreme situations such as during war. On the other hand, the Australian Aboriginal had to battle against predators such as the Saltwater Crocodile along with other groups in battle either formally or in raids.
Match Information: This is a standard one on one match with nothing else being taken into account.
The Set Up: An Australian Aboriginal is resting on the shore of a tropical island as a Hawaiian Koa comes ashore not far away.
BATTLE
On a tropical island in the Pacific Ocean, a man wearing a loincloth is resting on a part of the island's shore covered in rocks with a fruit in his hand. Near him is a Woomera launcher with two throwing spears resting on a rock with another rock having a Nulla Nulla Club and Sawfish Rostrum laying against it. The man barely registers a Wooden Shield and Boomerang laying next to him as he takes a bite of the fruit. This man is an Australian Aboriginal whose taking a short break from his wondering of the island he's on.
About sixty yards down the same shoreline, a man whose also wearing a loincloth pulls his outrigger canoe onto a part of the shore without rocks. Once he finishes pulling it halfway onto the shore, he reaches into it to take his Polulu spear and Shark Tooth Axe out with the spear in his left hand and the axe in his right. Leaving his Long Lei O Mano and Koa Knuckle Duster in his canoe, the man starts to walk away from his boat. This man is a Hawaiian Koa who has traveled to the island using his canoe to investigate the place.
After finishing his third bite, the Aboriginal is about to take another bite of his fruit before spotting something out of the corner of his eye. Looking to his right, the man spots the Koa walking on the shore with the other man seemingly not noticing him. Placing his fruit on a nearby rock, the man takes his Woomera and one of his throwing spears from the rock they were resting against. Seeing the newcomer as a possible threat, the Aboriginal takes the throwing spear and hooks it onto the Woomera.
The Koa keeps walking from his canoe across the shoreline as he keeps an eye out for any possible enemies. As he looks forward, he spots the spear coming towards him and quickly jumps to his right to avoid being skewered by the projectile. Looking forward in the direction the spear came from, the warrior stabs his Polulu into the ground and waits for his attacker to appear.
The Aboriginal quickly hooks the other spear into the Woomera before grabbing his Sawfish Rostrum with his right hand and quickly putting his Nulla Nulla club on his shield. Grabbing both and his Boomerang with his left hand, the Aboriginal quickly starts jogging towards his foe with his weapons at the ready.
Spotting the Aboriginal running towards him, the Koa stands his ground while his foe keeps jogging before getting out of the rocky area of the shore. Quickly stopping, the Aboriginal drops his shield and other weapons before bringing his Woomera back. He easily sends his other throwing spear at his foe only to watch as the Koa stepping to his right and catching the spear with his left hand. Looking back at his foe, the Koa throws the spear away while his foe drops his Woomera and grabs his Sawfish Rostrum with his right hand.
Getting to his feet after grabbing his shield and other weapons, the Aboriginal runs forward to engage his opponent as the Koa throws his Shark Tooth Axe at him. The man easily manages to use his Wooden Shield to deflect the axe away from him before he keeps running towards his foe. Seeing this, the Koa quickly grabs his Polulu and pulls it out of the ground before he charges forward as well. Both reach each other and the Koa thrusts his Polulu forward only for the Aboriginal to move to his right and drops his shield and clubs. Grabbing his Sawfish Rostrum with both hands, the Aboriginal swings his club at his opponent.
The Koa tries to dodge the swing, but lets out a shout of pain as the teeth of the club just cut into his left arm. The Koa steps back before jumping back to avoid another swing of the Sawfish Rostrum. Acting quickly, he thrusts his Polulu forward with the Aboriginal stepping to the side as he prepares to swing again. However, the Koa quickly brings the other end of his spear forward as he strikes the Aboriginal in the face.
The Aboriginal staggers back from being stunned while the Koa grabs his Polulu to perform a thrust going downward. When he thrusts, the Aboriginal gets his senses back and starts to step back to avoid the spear head of the Polulu. However, despite it missing his body, he still cries out in pain when the spear skewers his left thigh. Taking the spear out of his foe's leg, the Koa tries to perform another thrust only for the Aboriginal to counter with a swing of his Sawfish Rostrum.
Hitting the front half of the spear, the Aboriginal is able to knock the Polulu out of his foe's hand though it breaks off the teeth of a section of weapon. The Koa stumbles back as his foe performs another swing with the Koa getting his chest slashed by the swing. Seeing the Aboriginal stumble a bit after the swing, the Koa quickly brings his foot up and kicks the Aboriginal in the chest. Once his foe falls backwards, the Koa looks back at his canoe and starts running to get his other two weapons.
Seeing his foe run, the Aboriginal gets to his Wooden Shield and his other two weapons before getting to his feet. Despite the pain in his leg, the Aboriginal quickly limps after his foe as the Koa keeps running to his canoe. With his foe just ten feet from his canoe, the Aboriginal takes his Boomerang in his right hand and throws it at his opponent. The Boomerang flies through the air and strikes the Koa in the back, sending the warrior to the ground. Despite the pain in his back, the Koa starts to get back to his feet with the Aboriginal starting to catch up to his opponent.
Getting to his canoe, the Koa grabs his Long Lei O Mano with his right hand and grabs his Koa Knuckle Duster with his other hand. The Aboriginal starts to reach about ten feet from the canoe before the Koa turns around and once again charges to his foe. Taking his Nulla Nulla Club into his right hand, the Aboriginal lifts his shield to block a strike from the Long Lei O Mano. When the Aboriginal lowers his shield to strike, the Koa lifts his leg again and kicks his opponent back.
The Aboriginal swings his Nulla Nulla Club and strikes his opponent on the wound on his left arm, causing him to cry out. When he tries for another swing, the Koa is able to step to the left and dodge it before swinging his left arm. The warrior hits his opponent in his back with his Koa Knuckle Duster, giving his foe some pain thanks to the shark teeth. Crying out from the pain, the Aboriginal turns around as he swings his Nulla Nulla Club to hit his opponent. However, the swing doesn't connect before the Koa grabs his foe's shield and moves it out of the way before kicking the Aboriginal back.
Managing to remain on his feet, the Aboriginal looks up to see the Koa throwing his shield into the ocean before he tries to swing his Nulla Nulla Club. However, the Koa manages to close the distance and punches his chest with his Koa Knuckle Duster, cutting it open and causing the Aboriginal to back up. Acting quickly, the Aboriginal performs a light swing that strikes his foe's left hand and causes his opponent to drop his weapon. The Koa, realizing it would be needless to grab it, kicks it away before ducking under a swing from his enemy and swinging his Long Lei O Mano at his foe's left leg.
The Aboriginal cries out in pain as the shark teeth of the Long Lei O Mano cuts his left leg and further opens the wound from the spear. As the Aboriginal steps back to recover, the Koa boldly tosses his weapon to his right and gets into a battle stance. Seeing this, the Aboriginal performs another swing with his Nulla Nulla Club only for his foe to grab his wrist. Not wasting a moment, the Koa does a hard twist to his opponent's hand and breaks it, causing him to cry out.
Moving his body to get behind the Aboriginal, the Koa keeps his grip on his foe's wrist and puts his foot on his shoulder before pulling back. The Aboriginal cries out in pain as his foe causes his shoulder to pop out of its socket. Letting go of him, the Koa allows the Aboriginal to drop to his knees and cry out in anguish as he grabs his right arm. The Aboriginal tries to power through the pain, but quickly notices his opponent grabbing his chin with one hand and the crown of his skull with the other.
Before the Aboriginal can react, the Koa performs a hard twist and snaps the man's neck before letting go of his opponent. The body collapses to the ground as the Koa stands up straight before raising his fists into the air and lets out a cry of victory.
Final Verdict: Both of these warriors of Oceania gave it their all, yet it was ultimately the Hawaiian Koa who gained victory with a possible outcome of 5.3 out of 10 battles. Starting off, it was clear that the Hawaiian Koa had the better weapons in close combat while the Australian Aboriginal had the better ranged weapons at his disposal. In addition, the Wooden Shield used by the Aboriginal provided him with better protection against his foe's weaponry and he claimed the x-factor of killer instinct. However, what allows the Koa to claim victory is his x-factors of physicality and training, especially with his knowledge of Ku'ialua. It doesn't matter how much better you are at killing or if you have a shield, neither will help when going up against someone trained to break the bones of a foe or their neck with their bare hands. In the end, the better physicality and training of the Hawaiian Koa combined with his superior melee weapons allowed him to surpass the better killer instinct and armor of the Australian Aboriginal combined with his better ranged weapons.
Got a battle you want to see? Tell me and I'll see if I can get it into the series! Next time, two warriors of the Dark Ages separated by time and Europe will go head to head.
Ray Tanaka: Hey, everyone. Sorry that this chapter took so long, got a bit distracted and behind schedule. Not much to say on this one other than this was also another match I had planned for my Deadliest Warrior story much like the last one. Hope you all enjoyed!
