January – Kāʻelo/Hilihilo

SOURCE: WESTERN PACIFIC REGIONAL FISHERY MANAGEMENT COUNCIL

Puleileho ke kai o Kāʻelo
A rough sea in the month of January

January is known for heavy surf, which means that limu (seaweed) often washes ashore. This attracts fish and is a great time to collect seaweed and fish.

o Kāʻelo ka malama, pulu ke aho a ka lawaiʻa
January is the month when the fisherman’s lines are wet

January is a good time for deep-sea fishing, bottom-fish fishing like ʻōpakapaka (Pink Snapper), and shore-fish fishing such as ʻōʻio (Bonefish) and ‘ulua (Giant Trevally). In January, the Orion constellation is now visible in the eastern evening sky.

Orion constellation which becomes visible in eastern evenings in January. Source: earthsky.org

Sources: Project Kāhea Loko – A Teacher’s Guide to Hawaiian Fishponds; 2016 Hawaiian Lunar Calendar (Classroom edition) by Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council