THE FISHERIES AND FISHING LAWS OF HAWAII. B01 
The fisheries of Honolulu are rapidly falling off in amount, with 
a corresponding rise in the prices for fish, which are now perhaps 
higher than in any other seaport town in the world. One cause of the 
falling off is to be found in overfishing within a limited area. The 
markets of Honolulu are supplied by resident fishermen, by fishermen 
along the line of the Oahu Railway at Waialua and Waianae, and by 
fishermen on the north side of the Pali, about the village of Heeia. 
None of these fishermen goes into deep water, or to any great distance 
from Honolulu. Their equipment is on a relatively small scale, and 
thus far larger equipments have not been found profitable. The high 
price of labor, its relative untrustworthy character, and the ease of 
overstocking the market have brought attempts at fishing on a large 
scale to a comparative failure. Native fishermen work when they feel 
like it. Chinese fishermen are afraid of new situations and beset by 
superstitious fears. Japanese fishermen enter into combinations with 
their competing fellows, thus defeating the purpose of large fishing 
plants to control the markets themselves. 
The most valuable element in the Hawaiian fisheries is the amaama or 
mullet (Jlugil dobula). The system of fencing off arms of the sea for 
the formation of mullet ponds is practically, in American territory, 
confined to Hawaii. The recognition of private ownership in such 
ponds is contrary to American precedents. If it be found imprac- 
ticable to recognize such private ownership, these ponds may be con- 
demned by the United States Government and again leased to private 
persons. The best interests of the fisheries will be served by leaving 
their present owners in undisturbed possession. The matter should, 
however, receive careful consideration, as the action of Congress will 
constitute a permanent precedent. Under Hawaiian law the sea 
between the land and the barrier reef is also held as personal property. 
The act establishing the Territory of Hawaii wisely provided for the 
extinction of such titles. 
After the fishery rights are abolished in 1903 there will be almost 
no restrictions on the general fisheries. At the present time very fine- 
meshed seines are used, especially around Honolulu (Oahu) and Hilo 
(Hawaii), and immense numbers of very small young fish, such asthe 
mullet (Mugil dobula), ulua (Caranx sp.), and akule (7rachurops eru- 
menophthalmus), from 2 inches in length up, are caught and sold, 
although it is against the law to sell young mullet under 4+ inches in 
length. Unless this great drain on the young is stopped the fisheries 
are bound to suffer severely. 
The use of fine-meshed nets and the sale of small fish should be 
absolutely prohibited. 
The same remark applies to the various species of Miudlide, known 
as weke, moano, munu, kumu, umu, ete. Two of these species, the 
munu (Upeneus trifasciatus) and the umu (Upencus porphyreus), 
