Summary: The moi (Polydactylus sexfilis), or Pacific threadfin, was once reserved for Hawaiian royalty. Its silvery appearance, delicate flesh, and graceful behavior made it both culturally sacred and biologically significant. Today, it remains a symbol of balance between fishing and stewardship.
Description and Cultural Role
The moi is identified by its long white sensory filaments under the pectoral fins. Adults reach 12–16 inches, thriving in shallow coastal zones. In old Hawaiʻi, only aliʻi could eat moi, which was raised in fishponds and managed along kapu coasts. Its name, meaning “to rule,” reflects royal association and respect.
Habitat
Moi inhabit sandy shallows and surf zones from 5–30 ft deep. Juveniles school near river mouths and sandy reef flats where waves oxygenate the water. Adults prefer outer shelves and channels with strong current and open feeding ground.
- Clean sandy substrate
- Moderate wave action
- Steady current with food movement
- Clear water near reef breaks
Feeding Behavior
Using tactile filaments, moi detect worms, crustaceans, and larvae hidden in sand. Feeding peaks at dawn and dusk when light and safety intersect.
Seasonality and Kapu
Ancient kapu protected moi during summer spawning (June–August). Modern regulations continue this closed season to safeguard breeding populations. The alignment of law with tradition keeps the fishery sustainable.
Traditional and Modern Fishing
Hawaiian fishers caught moi using ʻupena hoʻolei (throw nets) and ʻupena huki (seine nets) at dawn and dusk. Today, nearshore anglers still follow these times and locations, proving that traditional timing remains practical science.
Stewardship and Significance
Moi embody the relationship between culture and conservation. Hatchery programs restore depleted stocks, guided by ancient principles: fish responsibly, respect seasons, and protect habitat for future generations.
Footnotes
- Hawaiʻi Division of Aquatic Resources – “Moi (Polydactylus sexfilis) species profile.”
- Titcomb, Native Use of Fish in Hawaiʻi (1948) – Bishop Museum Press.
- Pukui & Elbert, Hawaiian Dictionary – entry for moi.
- University of Hawaiʻi Sea Grant – “Nearshore Fish Identification Guide.”
- Bishop Museum Archives – Royal fishing kapu and coastal management records.
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