Fishing Facts

1. Hook & Line
2. Spears
3. Traps
4. Nets
5. Koki’o Dye
6. Noose Shark Hunting
7. Fish Ponds

Fishing in the saltwater you do not need a license.

Fishing in the freshwater you need a license to recreationally take any introduced freshwater sport fish such as the Largemouth Bass, Peacock Bass/Tucunare and Channel Catfish.

Hawaii’s state fish is the Humuhumunukunukuapua’a which means triggerfish with a pig like snout.

This fish is not legal to eat.

Thee elusive Ulua and Papio (Jack under 10 pounds) & O’io (Bonefish) are the most missioned sport fishes in Hawai’i. The legal size for keeping Jacks is 10 inches. The legal size for keeping O’ios is 14 inches measured to the fork of the tail. These fish can be caught and kept all year round.

There is the most Oama, Halalu & Akule close to shore usually during the summer months July, August & September. This attracts more bigger predator fish such as Jacks, Barracudas, even Pelagics closer to shore. Although there may be smaller piles close to shore year round. Keep in mind there will be more fishers in one area close together.

Sustainable fishing starts with the people having integrity. Being a responsible fisher using legal techniques and keeping what is legal and enough to provide will help to reduce the possible extinction of positive species. There are some invasive species of fish we do regulate such as the Roi, To’au & Ta’ape. Also caring for the sea creatures home by helping to keep the shoreline, ocean, reef, sand clean will help. Thank you.

Moi (Pacific Threadfin): Closed season is June – August. Legal size is 11 inches. Limit 15 per person per day.

‘Ama’ama (Striped Mullet): Closed season is December – March. Legal size is 11 inches. 

Lobster: Closed season is May – August. Legal size Ula (Spiny Lobster) is 3 1/4 inches (carapace length) Legal size Ula Papapa (Slipper Lobster) is 2 3/4 inches (tail width) No spearing. Whole only, not mutilated. No taking females. The male pleopods do not over lap compared to the females under the tail.

Kona Crab: Closed season is May – August. Legal size is 4 inches (carapace length) No spearing. No taking females. The male tail is more thin, narrow, pointed while the families tail is more wide and square.

Please be aware of the weather (wind, sun, rain, temperature) the conditions (waves, tides, moon) plants (thorns, falling coconuts) animals (jellyfish, Hawaiian Monk Seals, turtles, birds, insects) the reef structure, rocks, spirits.

There is Portuguese Man-O-Wars on the whole east side shoreline from Malaekahana all the way to Sandy Beach when the winds are onshore. These have a bubble with blue stingers.

The Box Jellyfish arrive on the south and west shores from Hanauma Bay to Makaha Beach 7-12 days after the full moon. These are completely clear and have a more painful sting.

Pluck the stingers off and pour vinegar on the area stung.

The sun rises earliest during the month of June at 5:49am.

The sun sets the earliest during the month of November at 5:48pm.

The sun rises latest during the month of January at 7:11am.

The sun sets latest during the month of July at 7:18pm.

There are usually two low and two high tides each day. Not usually reaching over 2.4 ft.

The King Tide is the highest ocean tide levels of the year. Usually happening in January, July, August and/or December. When the moon is closest to earth during its monthly orbit pulling gravity stronger than other tides. Also when the earth, moon and sun are aligned combining their gravitational pull.

I hope peoples belongings, beliefs, people will be protected, safe, alright.

He’e or octopus season is usually strongest during the months of October, November & December when more come closer to shore to breed. Although, there is He’e to find close to shore year round. The legal size is 1 pound.

Humpback Whale season in Hawai’i is from December through May. That is when these whales return to Hawai’i from Alaska to breed, calve and nurse their young.