COMMERCIAL FISHERIES OE THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 753 



by law to pass upon all fish before they are placed upon the stalls, and can condemn 

 any tainted fish either then or afterward. It is the custom to make frequent inspec- 

 tions of the fish after they go upon the stalls, as they soon become tainted in that try- 

 ing- climate. Owing to the cost of ice, none is vised around the market house. 



The larger fish are dressed, but the smaller ones are sold round. There is no 

 loss in dressing, however, as the head, entrails, etc., are sold. All except gold-fish, 

 and sometimes china-fish, are sold dead. 



In addition to the fresh fish sold in 1900, about 72,000 pounds of pickled salmon, 

 with a selling value of §!»,000; 9,125 pounds of dried fish, with a selling value of 

 $1,141, and about 18,000 pounds of limu, worth $2,340, were marketed. 



The leaves of the ki plant {Tcvtsin' teiviiJnalin)^ which are 10 to 1.5 inches long 

 and oblong in shape, and are cut with a part of the stem left on, are used for wrapping 

 fish in the markets. The fish is laid across the narrow part of the leaf, the end of 

 which is turned tightly over it and wound around the stem, and then tucked in, the 

 stem forming a handle by which to carry the package. The wrajiping is done so 

 skillfull}' that it rarel}' works loose. \^^ith the larger packages two or three leaves 

 are used. The ki plant grows on the mountain side near Honolulu, and is cut and 

 brought to town by natives. The dealers pay about 25 cents for a package of 100 

 of the leaves. 



The market at Honolulu is the principal one on the islands and has the largest 

 population tributary to it. Quite complete weekly reports of the fish sold are made 

 to the board of health by the inspector. 



The most noticeable feature in this market is the extremely high price charged 

 for fishery products, exceeding any other retail market of the United States, and 

 possibly of the world. But few of the better grade of fishes sell for less than 25 

 cents per pound, some selling for as much as 35 cents per pound. All fish are sold 

 by number, but they have been reduced to pounds in the general statistical tables 

 presented herewith, and the prices computed accordingl}', so as to conform to data 

 collected in other sections of the United States. Ama-ama, the commonest species, 

 sell for an average of 25 cents per pound, or 8^ cents each, and ula (crawfish) for 20 

 cents each, or 10 cents per pound. In The Polynesian, of Honolulu, under date of 

 September 7, 1844, amaama are quoted at 37 to 50 cents per dozen, other fish 3 to 6 

 cents per pound, and ula at 6i cents each, showing quite a difference between the 

 prices then and now. 



There are a number of reasons given for this condition of affairs, the principal 

 ones being as follows: 



1. Owing to the impossibility of keeping the catch in a fresh condition more 

 than 24 to 48 hours, the fishermen try not to take more than can easily be sold, and, 

 because of this, gluts — the principal causes of low prices — rarely occur. 



2. Owing to the insuflScient transportation facilities there is but little oppor- 

 tunity to bring to a market where there is a scarcity the overplus of another. The 

 island of Oahu has advantages over the others in this respect, as there is a raili-oad 

 which skirts the western and northern shores for nearly one-half the circumference 

 of the island. This permits of the rapid and cheap transportation of fish from the 

 various places along the railroad to Honolulu, and has been of great assistance in 



