On Friday, John Garcia and his father, Eddie Garcia, of Oki’s Seafood Corner, lay out three types of “red fish” sought after by locals for New Year’s. Red-colored fish are considered good luck by many Asian cultures for the holiday. -- The Maui News / MELISSA TANJI photo
KAHULUI — There should be plenty of ahi for sashimi to ring in the new year, and local retailers predict prices for the local traditional delicacy to be around the same as last holiday season.
“We get plenty fish,” said Elisa Garcia, owner of Oki’s Seafood Corner inside Foodland Ka’ahumanu.
She said Friday morning that the weather, at least around Maui, was nice, making it easier for fishers on their boats to catch the tuna.
Garcia said that prices were “a little high, (or) about the same as last year.” She predicted her retail prices would hover between $20 to $30 per pound.
Oki’s Seafood Corner’s sashimi platters sell for the same price all year long. The platters, which can be prepared with ahi (yellow fin tuna), salmon and hamachi (yellow tail), range from $25 to $100. Smaller sizes are also available.
John Garcia of Oki’s Seafood Corner displays the smaller sashimi platters that sell for $18 at the Kahului fish market in Foodland Ka‘ahumanu on Friday. -- The Maui News / MELISSA TANJI photo
At Takamiya Market in Happy Valley, Lance Takamiya said “prices are stable right now,” but he pointed out Friday that there are three more days until New Year’s. That’s the time when fish is in demand and prices may climb.
He said his retail price for ahi is $22 per pound.
Some customers already have put in their orders for sashimi platters, so Takamiya encouraged people to come to the store to see what’s available. The store assembles platters with ahi, hamachi and salmon.
He said the store’s ahi supply “should be OK.” He works with three wholesale fish vendors — one from Oahu and two from Maui.
Customers and markets are in better shape this year than last year because stores have Monday to place more orders, Takamiya said. Last New Year’s Eve fell on a Sunday when many businesses were not open.
In Kahului, at Rexel Pacific Fish Market, owner Rolando “Rolly” Madamba was awaiting a delivery of fresh ahi Friday afternoon. He hoped it would be the first of many deliveries leading up to New Year’s.
He wasn’t sure if there would be an abundance of fish or what he will have to pay to the fishers. But in any event, his retail prices still would be the same at $6.99 per pound. His customers will need to cut their own sashimi because he sells the fish uncut.
There were akule (big eye scad) for sale, but Madamba said he was waiting for “red fish.” These include onaga, the long-tail red snapper; ehu or short-tail red snapper; and opakapaka, Hawaiian pink snapper.
Many Asian cultures believe red fish offer good fortune for the new year.
“I hope I get some,” he said.
Employees at Oki’s were laying out ehu, onaga and opakapaka on a bed of ice Friday morning. Garcia said fisherman were reporting that the prized onaga was “not biting.”
Garcia’s husband, Eddie, and their son, John, reported fishers going out and only catching a couple of onaga here and there.
John Garcia said customers can expect retail prices for onaga to be between $16 to $18 per pound. Prices for ehu and opakapaka range from $14.99 to $15.99.
He expected the fish to sell out.
Some customers call a month ahead to try and reserve red fish, he added.
“A lot of people are buying them today,” John Garcia said. “They don’t want to take the chance.”
* Melissa Tanji can be reached at mtanji@mauinews.com.
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