"Kawelo" watercolor and pastel by Kauai artist, Joanna Carolan. High quality print on acid free paper matted in antique white. Available in the sizes listed above. In the ocean around Kauai lived a shark-man named Kawelo. He was said to have a shark's tail on the lower part of his body and could transform himself into a shark to escape an enemy. In Hawaiian mythology there are many tales of shark gods assisting people. Shark gods rescued shipwreck survivors and protected swimmers from man-eating sharks. Shark gods chased fish or schools of fish toward the shore to help provide food. Shark gods were one of the most popular guardians of fishing families to bring luck and protection at sea.