‘Ahi, a variety of platters, and pupus were the biggest sellers on Wednesday as customers packed Kaua‘i fish markets in preparation for New Year’s Eve and Day parties. Despite large crowds of island consumers getting their share of ‘ahi early
‘Ahi, a variety of platters, and pupus were the biggest sellers on Wednesday as customers packed Kaua‘i fish markets in preparation for New Year’s Eve and Day parties.
Despite large crowds of island consumers getting their share of ‘ahi early on Wednesday, the Fish Express was more than able to handle the demand.
“We always use projections from the previous year,” said Troy Wada, the Fish Express Vice President. “So we had plenty of inventory.”
Wada had a full staff on hand on Wednesday in an effort to meet the heavy demands of the Kaua‘i community.
“We anticipate that it should be even busier here around 7 p.m.,” he added.
‘Ahi along with many other varieties of fish are favorites during this time of year when Kaua‘i families plan their New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day parties.
Wada said that the biggest sellers this season have been the ‘ahi sashimi (raw, sliced tuna) and several varieties of poke (raw seafood salad) including ‘ahi Limu, Onion and Inamon. The Fish Express Vice President also stated that mixed platters have also been popular this season.
At the Fish Express, consumers shelled out $9.99 a pound for the ‘ahi poke salads like Limu, Onion and Inamon. ‘Ahi Shoyu is also going for $9.99 a pound.
Dry ‘ahi is running for $13.99 while fillets cost $10.99 per pound.
Bert Matsuoka, owner of Koloa Fish Market, was also busy on Wednesday.
“It wasn’t bad,” he said. “Platters were big for us and the sashimi sold well.”
The Koloa Fish Market was open until 6 p.m. on Wednesday and Matsuoka had a full complement of staff on hand to handle the traffic.
Among the more popular items at the store were a variety of platters including poke and sashimi starting at around $25 each.
Sushi and chicken platters along with pupus were the biggest sellers at the Ishihara Market LTD.
“We are much busier than last year,” said Guy Ishihara, co-owner of Ishihara Market LTD. “I think its a post 9-11 thing.”
Big Save received approximately 1,000 pounds of fish on Monday from the Koa Trading Company and Fresh Island Fish. Almost 60 percent of it was sashimi which sold well.
“The past two days have really picked up here,” said Randy Medeiros, seafood manager at the store. “Usually on New Year’s Eve, we sell about 10 times the amount of fish that we do on other days.”
Although Medeiros stated that sales have been strong the last few days, he added that it was weaker than in year’s past.
“It seemed there was less abundance (this year),” he said. “Also, in the past, most of the fish that we got was from Kaua‘i. This year, most of what we got was off-island.”
Business Editor Barry Graham can be reached at 245-3681 Ext. 251 or mailto:bgraham@pulitzer.net
