Hawaiian Onaga

by James Temple

Title

Hawaiian Onaga

Artist

James Temple

Medium

Photograph - Photography

Description

Onaga is one of Hawaii's fish better known by its Japanese name than by its Hawaiian name, ula`ula koae. It is also called ruby snapper or scarlet snapper, due to it's brilliant red color. Onaga have a unique profile with distinctive caudal fins that end in long, slender points.

Onaga has clear, light pink flesh similar to that of the opakapaka but somewhat softer and moister. Fish caught during the winter months seem to have a higher fat content than those caught in the summer; hence onaga yield the best sashimi during the winter season.

Most of the onaga caught off the Hawaiian Islands range in size from 1 to 18 pounds. Harvested exclusively with vertical hook-and-line gear, this bottomfish is caught in deep waters at 600-1000 feet.

Hawaii's residents have a strong culturally-oriented demand for long tail red snappers for ceremonial occasions such as the New Year's season and weddings, when onaga sashimi is traditionally served.

Visit my food blog for hundreds of tropical recipes at tastinghawaii.com

Uploaded

April 3rd, 2015

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