'What it takes to fish and sell in Hawaii': Regional fishery council tackles the commercial aspect of fishing
- Admin
- Jun 11
- 2 min read
By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Honolulu—Fishing in the modern age is filled with challenges, according to Hawaiian fishermen who drew different analogies to describe what it’s like to catch fish nowadays.
“You have to be comfortable with failing in this life,” said Abe Apilado, a long-time fisherman. “Fishing goes up and down like the stock market, but one good trip might make up for a week of losses.”
Apilado was among the panelists at the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s Fishers’ Forum held June 9 at the Ala Moana Hotel.
Titled “From Hanapa‘a to How Much? What It Takes to Fish and Sell in Hawaii,” the event brought together commercial fishers, seafood marketers and community members to discuss the evolving and often difficult realities of commercial fishing in the islands.
Panelists shared their insights about the economic, regulatory and cultural challenges facing Hawaii’s fishing community, especially as traditional knowledge erodes and entry into the profession becomes increasingly inaccessible.
“In the ’80s and ’90s, fishing was big,” said Apilado, a member of the council’s advisory panel. “Now, fishermen are hardly recognized for their contributions. "There’s a loss of fishing knowledge and community representation.”
He noted that “akule used to be king—today we leave fish in the water because (there's) no more market.”
He pointed to the growing burden of regulations, rising costs and reduced access to traditional fishing grounds such as the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.
He also emphasized the strong work ethic required to fish, considering the current economic challenges in the commercial sector.
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Kapili Kalahiki-Anthony, a former NOAA Fisheries observer and founder of Native Hawaiian Trading Co., highlighted the entrepreneurial and cultural aspects of modern-day fishing.
“You can’t just fish—you have to market yourself, use social media,” he said. “It’s not just about money, but we do have to pay the bills. The key is to light that spark—to show the kids what we do and connect the dots.”
He credited Hawaii’s legendary fisherman, Leo Ohai, who taught him the importance of knowing all fishing methods and having the experience to recognize when to target seasonal fisheries.
Kalahiki-Anthony discussed the importance of indigenous knowledge and innovation in revitalizing Hawaiian fisheries.
Through his nonprofit, he is working to provide vocational training and mentorship, hoping to build a future where Hawaii’s youth see fishing as both a viable career and a cultural calling.
“Fish trapping is a lost art,” he said. “We need to create the space and the pride for it to come back.”
Josh Schade of Ahi Assassins addressed market dynamics and the fishers' discontent when they see their catch sell for a significantly higher price than they receive.
“It’s easy to say it’s unfair, but between the boat and the plate, there’s a whole network of people working hard to get that fish to the customer," said Schade,
a member of the WPRFMC Fishing Industry Advisory Committee.
"If we clarify what happens behind the curtain, we can resolve a lot of the frustration in our community," he added.
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