View Point

Friday, July 24, 1998

Stop the feeding frenzy
at once fish-friendly bay

By Peggy Hickok Hodge

Editor's note: The state is planning to hold public hearings on a proposal to ban feeding the fish at Hanauma Bay.

I have been going to Hanauma Bay for 80 years, when the road stopped at the beginning of what is now Hawaii Kai. We had picnics on the beach. The Hawaiian fishermen with their throw-nets sold us mullet, "two for quatta," and we shared our supper with them.

Just getting to the bay was a day's event from old Honolulu. So when we finally saw Hanauma Bay, it was a joyful sight as we left the car beneath kiawe trees far away.

The bridge over Hawaii Kai was so rickety that we had to all get out of the Model T Ford and walk the rest of the way. We carried a loaf of French bread and salad, enough for the family of six.

Going down to the bay was a climbing event in itself. With no path, we clambered carefully over the lava rocks. We made hand and toe holds, balancing our bathing suit rolls in towels and food.

We carried flashlights for the treacherous climb up after dark.

We had never heard of feeding any fish, although they nibbled at us when we swam through schools of them without snorkels or goggles.

I shall always remember the lovely fish:

The brilliant saddled colored parrot fish in blue, orange and black with a tiny mouth full of sharp teeth to bite off coral.

The Moorish idol (kihikihi) in yellow, sky blue and black with a curved dorsal fin.

The many tiny wrasses in multi-colors.

The trigger (humuhumu).

The funny goat fish with goatees.

The butterflies in all colors.

The silver ulua in schools that we'd wade through.

The flaming red angelfish, and the strange needle and trumpet fish we'd see above our heads.

The convict tangs (manini), the purple sturgeons we called blue daze, and the bright yellow and black sturgeons.

The poisonous lion or zebra fish to avoid; the spiny puffer that inflates its little body with spines that other fish spit out when they can't swallow it.

How many snorklers in Hanauma Bay today even know our fish or learn their names? How many know the danger of feeding them when they have enough algae and coral to nibble on without bread?

We recommend that Hanauma Bay officials put up a large colored chart of the fish in the bay and prohibit anyone from feeding them chunks of soft bread or anything.

Also watch for the beautiful green giant sea turtles, now endangered. Anyone touching them can receive a large fine today.

So, enjoy the fish -- but no feed 'em!

---

Peggy Hickok Hodge, a former Star-Bulletin writer,
is an author and freelance writer.