KAPAHI — For years people have flocked to a home here once a year, when a master breeder of koi from Japan came and offered his colorful fish for sale. Because of illness to one of the breeders, though, last
KAPAHI — For years people have flocked to a home here once a year, when a master breeder of koi from Japan came and offered his colorful fish for sale.
Because of illness to one of the breeders, though, last weekend’s “koi reunion” may be Kaua‘i’s last for awhile.
“They came real early,” Lilly Asai said of visitors to the koi reunion hosted by the Asai family at their residence in upper Kapahi.
“I was still setting up at 7:15 when I heard these cars come up the driveway. They were here to see the koi,” she said.
For the past three years, Danny and Lilly Asai have hosted Kaz Takeda and Hisashi Hirasawa with their supply of imported koi from Japan.
But, health problems may prevent the Japanese from returning next year. That meant that this year’s show might have been the last one where people would have an opportunity to view and purchase koi produced by Hirasawa, the third-ranked koi breeder in Japan.
Over the years, people have gathered at the Asai residence and, guided by personal conversations with Hirasawa and Takeda, acquired their own koi.
The selection process is aided by a variety of posters showing the coloration patterns used by breeders and show judges on what constitutes a quality fish. Additionally, there is no lack of conversation among local koi enthusiasts. They spend time talking about their own collection with Asai, Takeda, Hirasawa, and other enthusiasts. Like pau-hana revelers gathered around the tailgate of the pickup truck containing the coolers and pupus, koi enthusiasts spend quality time sitting outside the converted Asai garage that annually becomes an exhibit area for three large holding tanks containing the imported fish.
Buyers come early for best selection in terms of coloration, size, and value, hence the early arrivals at the Asai home Saturday. Special koi treats were also offered from Takeda’s operation in California.
This year’s feature fish were koi touting long, lacy tails and fins similar to the kingyo, or goldfish. These were obtained through the breeding process at Hirasawa’s facility, which sits on about nine acres in Japan.
Hirasawa’s group rears approximately five million fry, or baby koi, a year.
Sports Editor Dennis Fujimoto may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or mailto:dfujimoto@pulitzer.net.
