NOTE: Fish caught in this Kai zone differ from Ko‘a to Ko‘a. Listed are the i‘a that were frequently mentioned during my research among this region, however the listing does not contain all the i‘a that lived in this zone.
Aholehole (Reticulated Flagtail)
-Scientific name: Kuhlia Sandvicensis. A Perch like fish that reaches up to 10". It is silver-grey in color with a white under body, with an average growth of about 6". It is known as the ‘Apo‘āpo in its youth years.
-Scientific name: Kuhlia Sandvicensis. A Perch like fish that reaches up to 10". It is silver-grey in color with a white under body, with an average growth of about 6". It is known as the ‘Apo‘āpo in its youth years.
Photo by:Bryan Harry/National Park Service
Ama‘ama (Striped Mullet)
- Mugil Cephalus. This fish has thin lips with horizontal stripes across its body. It typically grows between 12"-30" and lives in depths up to 400 ft.
- Mugil Cephalus. This fish has thin lips with horizontal stripes across its body. It typically grows between 12"-30" and lives in depths up to 400 ft.
Kahala (Amber Jack )
- The are known as deep sea fish, known to be sometimes caught on lines with up to 40 hooks. There is a proverb “Pololei a‘e la no a ka waha o kahala", It went straight to the mouth of kahala, that is the Chief.
- The are known as deep sea fish, known to be sometimes caught on lines with up to 40 hooks. There is a proverb “Pololei a‘e la no a ka waha o kahala", It went straight to the mouth of kahala, that is the Chief.
Uku (Blue-Green Snapper)
-It is a snapper that grows up to 24" and typically weighs between 4lbs and 18lbs. It is light grey in color with hues of blue on the top of the head, it is also noted that the uku was known as the “fish of Kaho‘olawe.”
-It is a snapper that grows up to 24" and typically weighs between 4lbs and 18lbs. It is light grey in color with hues of blue on the top of the head, it is also noted that the uku was known as the “fish of Kaho‘olawe.”
‘Ula‘ula (Long -Tailed Red Snapper)
- Scientific name: Etelis Coruscans. It has a light pinkish flesh and range from 1lb to 18lbs in the Hawaiian islands. It is a deep-water fish which are typically caught between 600-1,000ft. Catches during the summer also tend to have a higher fat content.
- Scientific name: Etelis Coruscans. It has a light pinkish flesh and range from 1lb to 18lbs in the Hawaiian islands. It is a deep-water fish which are typically caught between 600-1,000ft. Catches during the summer also tend to have a higher fat content.
Photo by:Les Hata © Secretariat of the Pacific Community
Ahi (Hawaiian tunas, especially the yellow tail)
- Scientific name (yellow tail): Thunnus Albacares. This fish is bluish on the upper region and silver on its underbelly. It has bright yellow fins and typically ranges from 3lbs to well over 200lbs.
- Scientific name (yellow tail): Thunnus Albacares. This fish is bluish on the upper region and silver on its underbelly. It has bright yellow fins and typically ranges from 3lbs to well over 200lbs.
Lehe (Thick Lipped Jack)
-Scientific name: Carangidae Orthogrammus. A Deep Sea fish, resembles a tuna but with longer fins and darker skin.
-Scientific name: Carangidae Orthogrammus. A Deep Sea fish, resembles a tuna but with longer fins and darker skin.