Manini
“Ka i‘a a ke kualau I lawe mai ai.”
The fish brought in by the rain at sea.
‘Olelo No‘eau (Hawaiian Proverb), Mary Kawena Pukui
Manini or Convict Tang (Acanthurus triostegus) swim in massive schools moving through coral reefs, grazing on algae. This creates a balanced environment for corals to thrive. This tasty fish
is also a favorite catch by net or spear. In Hawai‘i, manini also means ‘small’, but this fish is best
caught once it’s bigger than 6 inches. This gives the fish a chance to reproduce before being caught, helping maintain a sustainable fish population.
– David Shepard