Fishing/Non-Commercial Fishing/Rules & Regulations/Marine Regulated Species
Marine Regulated Species
A quick guide to protected marine species and their regulations.
Marine Regulated Species
These species are regulated to protect marine life and support sustainable fishing.
‘Ahi
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 3 pounds in weight (§13-95-17).
Ō‘io
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 14 inches in length (§13-95-10).
‘Opihi
Minimum 1¼″ shell (or ½″ meat if meat only).
Akule
Cannot take with a net if less than 8.5 inches in length during July, August, September, and October (§13-95-19(a)).
Limit of 200 pounds per day for non-commercial purposes during July, August, September, and October (§13-95-19(b)).
Hāpu‘u
Trip report within 5 days.
Vessel registration & BF number required.
Kala ‘ōpelu
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 16 inches in length (§13-95-12).
Kūmū
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 10 inches in length (§13-95-7).
Moano
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 7 inches in length (§13-95-6).
Pāpa‘i Kualoa (Kona Crab)
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 4 inches in carapace length (§13-95-51(a)).
Closed season: May through September (§13-95-51(b)).
Cannot take, possess, or sell if carrying eggs (§13-95-51(c)).
Cannot take, kill, or sell with a spear (§13-95-51(d)).
Uhu (Parrotfish)
Uhu ‘ele‘ele, uhu uliuli, uhu pālukaluka, or uhu ‘ahu‘ula: Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 14 inches in length (§13-95-16(a)).
Other uhu species: Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 10 inches in length (§13-95-16(b)).
Limit of 2 uhu of any variety per day or possession at any time (§13-95-16(c)).
Ula Pāpapa (Slipper Lobster)
Cannot take, kill, possess, or sell if less than 2.75 inches in tail width (§13-95-54(a)).
‘Ama‘ama (Striped Mullet)
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 11 inches in length (§13-95-8(a)).
Closed season: December, January, February, and March (§13-95-8(b)).
‘Ōpakapaka
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 1 pound in weight (§13-95-14).
Trip report within 5 days.
Vessel registration & BF number required.
‘Ula‘ula koa‘e (Onaga)
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 1 pound in weight (§13-95-14).
Trip report within 5 days.
Vessel registration & BF number required.
Awa
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 9 inches in length (§13-95-9).
He‘e (octopus/tako)
Minimum size 1 lb.
Kalekale
Trip report within 5 days.
Vessel registration & BF number required.
Lehi
Trip report within 5 days.
Vessel registration & BF number required.
Moi
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 11 inches in length (§13-95-23(a)).
Limit of 15 moi per day during September through May (§13-95-23(b)).
Closed season: June, July, and August (§13-95-23(c)).
Pāpa‘i Kūhonu (White Crab)
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 4 inches in length or width (§13-95-50(a)).
Cannot take, possess, or sell if carrying eggs (§13-95-50(b)).
Cannot take, kill, or sell with a spear (§13-95-50(c)).
Uku
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 1 pound in weight (§13-95-15).
Ulua
Cannot take or possess if less than 10 inches in length (§13-95-22(a)).
Cannot sell if less than 16 inches in length (§13-95-22(b)).
Limit of 20 ulua measuring more than 10 inches in length per day (§13-95-22(c)).
‘lao
Cannot sell, offer for sale, or trade dried or cured ‘iao (§13-95-(a)).
Fishing for ‘iao is prohibited except for bait with a license (§13-95-20(b)).
‘Ōpelu
Cannot fish or take with fish or animal bait (“chop-chop”) in South Kona waters except with hook-and-line (§13-95-18).
Gindai
Trip report within 5 days.
Vessel registration & BF number required.
Kala
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 14 inches in length (§13-95-11(a)).
Limit of 4 kala per day or possession at any time (§13-95-11(b)).
Kole
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 5 inches in length (§13-95-25).
Manini
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 6 inches in length (§13-95-5).
Nehu
Cannot sell, offer for sale, or trade dried or cured nehu (§13-95-21(a)).
Fishing for nehu is prohibited except for bait with a license (§13-95-21(b)).
Samoan Crab
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 6 inches in width (§13-95-52(a)).
Cannot take, kill, possess, or sell if carrying eggs (§13-95-52(b)).
Cannot take, kill, or sell with a spear (§13-95-52(c)).
Cannot take or kill any female Samoan crab (§13-95-52(e)).
Ula (Spiny Lobster)
Cannot take, kill, possess, or sell if less than 3.25 inches in carapace length (§13-95-53(a)).
Closed season: May, June, July, and August (§13-95-53(b)).
Cannot take, kill, or sell if carrying eggs (§13-95-53(d)).
Cannot take, kill, or sell with a spear (§13-95-53(e)).
Cannot take or kill any female ula (§13-95-53(h)).
Weke ‘ā
Limit of 50 weke ‘ā less than 7 inches in length per day (§13-95-24(a)).
Cannot sell if less than 7 inches in length (§13-95-24(b)).
‘Ama‘ama (Striped Mullet)
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 11 inches in length (§13-95-8(a)).
Closed season: December, January, February, and March (§13-95-8(b)).
Manini
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 6 inches in length (§13-95-5).
Weke ‘ā
Limit of 50 weke ‘ā less than 7 inches in length per day (§13-95-24(a)).
Cannot sell if less than 7 inches in length (§13-95-24(b)).
Ulua
Cannot take or possess if less than 10 inches in length (§13-95-22(a)).
Cannot sell if less than 16 inches in length (§13-95-22(b)).
Limit of 20 ulua measuring more than 10 inches in length per day (§13-95-22(c)).
Awa
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 9 inches in length (§13-95-9).
Moi
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 11 inches in length (§13-95-23(a)).
Limit of 15 moi per day during September through May (§13-95-23(b)).
Closed season: June, July, and August (§13-95-23(c)).
‘lao
Cannot sell, offer for sale, or trade dried or cured ‘iao (§13-95-(a)).
Fishing for ‘iao is prohibited except for bait with a license (§13-95-20(b)).
Pāpa‘i Kūhonu (White Crab)
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 4 inches in length or width (§13-95-50(a)).
Cannot take, possess, or sell if carrying eggs (§13-95-50(b)).
Cannot take, kill, or sell with a spear (§13-95-50(c)).
Āholehole
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 5 inches in length (§13-95-4).
Ō‘io
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 14 inches in length (§13-95-10).
Nehu
Cannot sell, offer for sale, or trade dried or cured nehu (§13-95-21(a)).
Fishing for nehu is prohibited except for bait with a license (§13-95-21(b)).
Samoan Crab
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 6 inches in width (§13-95-52(a)).
Cannot take, kill, possess, or sell if carrying eggs (§13-95-52(b)).
Cannot take, kill, or sell with a spear (§13-95-52(c)).
Cannot take or kill any female Samoan crab (§13-95-52(e)).
Āholehole
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 5 inches in length (§13-95-4).
Kala
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 14 inches in length (§13-95-11(a)).
Limit of 4 kala per day or possession at any time (§13-95-11(b)).
Moi
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 11 inches in length (§13-95-23(a)).
Limit of 15 moi per day during September through May (§13-95-23(b)).
Closed season: June, July, and August (§13-95-23(c)).
Uhu (Parrotfish)
Uhu ‘ele‘ele, uhu uliuli, uhu pālukaluka, or uhu ‘ahu‘ula: Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 14 inches in length (§13-95-16(a)).
Other uhu species: Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 10 inches in length (§13-95-16(b)).
Limit of 2 uhu of any variety per day or possession at any time (§13-95-16(c)).
Kala ‘ōpelu
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 16 inches in length (§13-95-12).
Kūmū
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 10 inches in length (§13-95-7).
Manini
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 6 inches in length (§13-95-5).
Weke ‘ā
Limit of 50 weke ‘ā less than 7 inches in length per day (§13-95-24(a)).
Cannot sell if less than 7 inches in length (§13-95-24(b)).
Kole
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 5 inches in length (§13-95-25).
Moano
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 7 inches in length (§13-95-6).
Ō‘io
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 14 inches in length (§13-95-10).
Akule
Cannot take with a net if less than 8.5 inches in length during July, August, September, and October (§13-95-19(a)).
Limit of 200 pounds per day for non-commercial purposes during July, August, September, and October (§13-95-19(b)).
‘Ōpelu
Cannot fish or take with fish or animal bait (“chop-chop”) in South Kona waters except with hook-and-line (§13-95-18).
‘lao
Cannot sell, offer for sale, or trade dried or cured ‘iao (§13-95-(a)).
Fishing for ‘iao is prohibited except for bait with a license (§13-95-20(b)).
Ulua
Cannot take or possess if less than 10 inches in length (§13-95-22(a)).
Cannot sell if less than 16 inches in length (§13-95-22(b)).
Limit of 20 ulua measuring more than 10 inches in length per day (§13-95-22(c)).
Nehu
Cannot sell, offer for sale, or trade dried or cured nehu (§13-95-21(a)).
Fishing for nehu is prohibited except for bait with a license (§13-95-21(b)).
Uku
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 1 pound in weight (§13-95-15).
Lehi
Trip report within 5 days.
Vessel registration & BF number required.
‘Ula‘ula koa‘e (Onaga)
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 1 pound in weight (§13-95-14).
Trip report within 5 days.
Vessel registration & BF number required.
Hāpu‘u
Trip report within 5 days.
Vessel registration & BF number required.
‘Ōpakapaka
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 1 pound in weight (§13-95-14).
Trip report within 5 days.
Vessel registration & BF number required.
Gindai
Trip report within 5 days.
Vessel registration & BF number required.
Kalekale
Trip report within 5 days.
Vessel registration & BF number required.
‘Ula‘ula (ehu)
Trip report within 5 days.
Vessel registration & BF number required.
Pāpa‘i Kualoa (Kona Crab)
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 4 inches in carapace length (§13-95-51(a)).
Closed season: May through September (§13-95-51(b)).
Cannot take, possess, or sell if carrying eggs (§13-95-51(c)).
Cannot take, kill, or sell with a spear (§13-95-51(d)).
Ula (Spiny Lobster)
Cannot take, kill, possess, or sell if less than 3.25 inches in carapace length (§13-95-53(a)).
Closed season: May, June, July, and August (§13-95-53(b)).
Cannot take, kill, or sell if carrying eggs (§13-95-53(d)).
Cannot take, kill, or sell with a spear (§13-95-53(e)).
Cannot take or kill any female ula (§13-95-53(h)).
He‘e (octopus/tako)
Minimum size 1 lb.
Pāpa‘i Kūhonu (White Crab)
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 4 inches in length or width (§13-95-50(a)).
Cannot take, possess, or sell if carrying eggs (§13-95-50(b)).
Cannot take, kill, or sell with a spear (§13-95-50(c)).
Ula Pāpapa (Slipper Lobster)
Cannot take, kill, possess, or sell if less than 2.75 inches in tail width (§13-95-54(a)).
‘Opihi
Minimum 1¼″ shell (or ½″ meat if meat only).
Samoan Crab
Cannot take, possess, or sell if less than 6 inches in width (§13-95-52(a)).
Cannot take, kill, possess, or sell if carrying eggs (§13-95-52(b)).
Cannot take, kill, or sell with a spear (§13-95-52(c)).
Cannot take or kill any female Samoan crab (§13-95-52(e)).