By Kathryn Bender, Star-Bulletin
Ahi is taking its annual climb to
commodity-market status.

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Fish-buying frenzy
gets under way

Ahi should range from
$8 to $20 a pound, a market
spokesman said

By Craig Gima
Star-Bulletin

This time of year, fishmongers at the United Fishing Agency auction may never see the sun.

Their day begins at 3 a.m. and can last into the evening. The period after Christmas until New Year's Day is the busiest time of year for fish buyers and sellers.

It will reach a fish-buying frenzy beginning today through Wednesday, New Year's Eve, as retailers and consumers stock up on ahi for New Year's sashimi platters.

"Everyone needs to have fish at the same time," said Cyrus Tamashiro of Tamashiro Market. "There's always a strong demand around Dec. 31."

Tamashiro sells four to five times the normal amount of fish in the two days before New Year's. The market is not taking any more orders for sashimi platters, although it is still accepting orders for filets.

Customers are placing the orders for fish without knowing what the price will be.

But Tamashiro and other sashimi experts said while it's still early to predict prices, supplies have been good and the price should be about the same as last year at this time.

"There's a fair amount of fish coming in," said Brooks Takenaka, assistant general manager of United Fishing Agency. "If that continues, we may see a buyers' type of market. If we see a lot of fish Monday (today), we'll be working long hours, but I think the fish may be more affordable for consumers."

Tamashiro said prices last year ranged from a low of $8 per pound of the lower grade ahi to $20 per pound or more for the very best ahi.

"There are good bargains to be found. People have to shop early. The very top grades sell out early. Others want the most economical fish. Those sell out too," he said.

By Kathryn Bender, Star-Bulletin
Local merchants line up to bid for this year's sashimi.
Bidding began at 3 a.m. today and is expected to continue
through the day. Over 35,000 pounds were sold as of 6 a.m.

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Serving sashimi at family gatherings around New Year's Day is a Japanese tradition. It's also become traditional here in Hawaii to see prices for the best fish escalate quickly in the days before New Year's Day.

To keep up with the demand, most fishermen in Hawaii spend their holidays at sea and time their trips so their catch comes to market on Dec. 29 and 30, when prices are usually the highest.

Andrew Longnecker of the long-line fishing boat Virginia Creeper sold his catch yesterday to beat the rush. He said prices were about $1.25 per pound higher than normal at yesterday's auction.

"Timing is everything," he said. "You can have a big load or small load. It doesn't mean anything. What is important is quality and price."

Tamashiro said the quality of ahi is best around December because of the fat content of the fish.

"The flavor of ahi is unique and special," he said. "Raw fish is a delicacy everyone of all ethnic groups in the islands enjoy."