Long Name Hawaiian Fish: A Comprehensive Guide to the Diverse Names and Their Meanings

Hawaiian fish names are often long and descriptive, reflecting the rich culture and deep connection Hawaiians have with the ocean. These names, often passed down through generations, tell stories of the fish's appearance, behavior, or even their role in Hawaiian mythology. This comprehensive list explores over 40 of these intriguing names, delving into their unique meanings and highlighting the fascinating world of Hawaiian fish nomenclature.
1. **'A'ama'a**: meaning "small, slender," referring to its long, thin body.
2. **'A'au**: meaning "to scoop," describing its habit of scooping up food from the seabed.
3. **'A'e**: meaning "to rise," reflecting its tendency to rise to the surface for food.
4. **'Aiea**: meaning "to eat," referring to its predatory nature.
5. **'A'u**: meaning "to swim," describing its agile swimming abilities.
6. **'Elepaio**: meaning "to fly," named after the Hawaiian flycatcher bird due to its swift movements.
7. **'Ewa**: meaning "to steal," referring to its sneaky fishing techniques.
8. **'I'a 'I'a**: meaning "fish fish," a general term for any kind of fish.
9. **'I'iwi**: meaning "red," referencing its bright red coloration.
10. **'O'opu**: meaning "young fish," referring to the juvenile stage of certain fish.
11. **'Opae'ula**: meaning "red shrimp," named for its vibrant red color.
12. **'Ulua**: meaning "big fish," referring to its large size.
13. **Aku**: meaning "tuna," a common and valuable fish in Hawaiian waters.
14. **'A'u**: meaning "to swim," describing its agile swimming abilities.
15. **'Ehu**: meaning "to spray," named after the spray it creates when it jumps out of the water.
16. **'I'iwi**: meaning "red," referencing its bright red coloration.
17. **'O'opu**: meaning "young fish," referring to the juvenile stage of certain fish.
18. **'Opae'ula**: meaning "red shrimp," named for its vibrant red color.
19. **'Ulua**: meaning "big fish," referring to its large size.
20. **Ahi**: meaning "tuna," a highly prized fish in Hawaiian cuisine.
21. **'A'ama'a**: meaning "small, slender," referring to its long, thin body.
22. **'A'au**: meaning "to scoop," describing its habit of scooping up food from the seabed.
23. **'A'e**: meaning "to rise," reflecting its tendency to rise to the surface for food.
24. **'Aiea**: meaning "to eat," referring to its predatory nature.
25. **'A'u**: meaning "to swim," describing its agile swimming abilities.
26. **'Elepaio**: meaning "to fly," named after the Hawaiian flycatcher bird due to its swift movements.
27. **'Ewa**: meaning "to steal," referring to its sneaky fishing techniques.
28. **'I'a 'I'a**: meaning "fish fish," a general term for any kind of fish.
29. **'I'iwi**: meaning "red," referencing its bright red coloration.
30. **'O'opu**: meaning "young fish," referring to the juvenile stage of certain fish.
31. **'Opae'ula**: meaning "red shrimp," named for its vibrant red color.
32. **'Ulua**: meaning "big fish," referring to its large size.
33. **Hei**: meaning "to hide," describing its ability to camouflage itself.
34. **Ho'ola**: meaning "to heal," named after its medicinal properties.
35. **Ka'akea**: meaning "to climb," referring to its ability to climb up waterfalls.
36. **Kaimana**: meaning "precious," named for its beautiful colors.
37. **Kaku**: meaning "to strike," describing its aggressive behavior.
38. **Koloa**: meaning "duck," named after the Hawaiian duck due to its webbed feet.
39. **Maku**: meaning "to see," referring to its large, prominent eyes.
40. **Manini**: meaning "small, flat," referring to its shape.
41. **Mele**: meaning "song," named after the Hawaiian songbird due to its beautiful colors.
42. **Moi**: meaning "to swim," describing its swift and agile movements.
43. **Nani**: meaning "beautiful," referring to its elegant appearance.
44. **'O'o**: meaning "to sing," named after the Hawaiian honeycreeper bird due to its melodious call.
45. **Paku**: meaning "to bite," describing its sharp teeth.
46. **Puhi**: meaning "eel," referring to its long, snake-like body.
47. **'U'a**: meaning "to eat," referring to its predatory nature.
48. **'Ulua**: meaning "big fish," referring to its large size.
49. **Wahoo**: meaning "swift," describing its fast swimming speed.
50. **Weke**: meaning "to move," referring to its active and playful nature.