Pāpiopio

Growing up at the shore in Kāneʻohe, I always sought out the pāpio because it fought like no other fish. Hooking into a pāpio was challenging and unforgettable. When it is still a juvenile, fitting in your palm, it's called pāpiopio. Diving near where the waves break on a sandy beach, I like watching schools of them darting in the shallows. This layout by Chanel Tsang is the perfect illustration of a school of pāpiopio.

The well-known ulua (giant trevally) is highly sought after by fishermen for its delicious meat and the thrill of catching it. The ulua has different names throughout its lifetime. When it is still a juvenile and fits in your palm, it is called pāpiopio. Once it reaches 10 pounds or more, it is considered an ulua. Pāpio tend to frequent shallow waters for protection and move to deeper waters as they get older. In this collaboration with Sig Zane, he recalls memories of growing up by the shore in Kāneʻohe. “I always sought out the pāpio because it fought like no other fish. Hooking into a pāpio was challenging and unforgettable. Diving near where the waves break on a sandy beach, I like watching schools of them darting in the shallows.” This layout by Chanel Tsang is the perfect illustration of a school of pāpiopio. For more information on the different ulua and other fish in Hawaiʻi’s waters check out this handbook from DNLR: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar/files/2014/04/fishes_of_hawaii.pdf