Canoe

Canoes are the primary means of transportation for Mafatu’s people, and also the vessels they use to go fishing. Mafatu takes a canoe from the beach on Hikueru in order to venture out on his own. It is destroyed on the coral reef that circles the eaters-of-men’s island. Mafatu builds a new canoe from the trunk of a tamanu tree, so that he can return to his home. It is well-made, light and fast, and he is very proud of it.

Knife

Mafatu carves a 10-inch long knife from the rib bone of a whale. It is very sharp, and he uses all of his skill to create it with care. Mafatu uses the knife to kill the hammerhead shark and save Uri when his dog falls into the ocean. The knife falls into the ocean at a later point, and Mafatu dives far down...