What special fishing regulations apply at Kona Coast — Honokōhau Harbor?

Kona Coast — Honokōhau Harbor carries 6 special-regulation overlays that override Hawaii's statewide 2026 rules, covering Giant trevally (ulua / papio), Yellowfin tuna (ahi), Pacific blue marlin (kajiki), Mahimahi (dolphinfish), and 1 more. One of them reads: "World-class pelagic + billfish fishery; Pacific blue marlin (kajiki) + striped marlin (nairagi) + shortbill spearfish + yellowfin tuna (ahi) + bigeye tuna + mahi-mahi + wahoo (ono) + skipjack (aku) year-round; IGFA Pacific blue marlin all-tackle world record (1,376 lb, 1982) caught here; charter fleet centered at Honokōhau Harbor; NO state recreational licence required." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Kona Coast — Honokōhau Harbor?

Yes. Kona Coast — Honokōhau Harbor is in Hawaii, so a valid Hawaii fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) — Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Kona Coast (Big Island); they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Hawaii rules.

Do Kona Coast — Honokōhau Harbor's special rules replace Hawaii's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Hawaii's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Kona Coast (Big Island) by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Kona Coast (Big Island)?

Giant trevally (ulua / papio), Yellowfin tuna (ahi), Pacific blue marlin (kajiki), Mahimahi (dolphinfish), and ʻŌpakapaka (pink snapper / Deep 7) have a water-body-specific rule on Kona Coast — Honokōhau Harbor, each linking to its full Hawaii regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Hawaii limits.

2026 regulation year

Kona Coast — Honokōhau Harbor 2026 — Hawaii Fishing Regulations

Hawaii statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 3, 2026

Kona Coast — Honokōhau Harbor carries 6 special-regulation overlays on top of Hawaii's 2026 fishing rules — covering Giant trevally (ulua / papio), Yellowfin tuna (ahi), Pacific blue marlin (kajiki), Mahimahi (dolphinfish), and 1 more species. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

World-class pelagic + billfish fishery; Pacific blue marlin (kajiki) + striped marlin (nairagi) + shortbill spearfish + yellowfin tuna (ahi) + bigeye tuna + mahi-mahi + wahoo (ono) + skipjack (aku) year-round; IGFA Pacific blue marlin all-tackle world record (1,376 lb, 1982) caught here; charter fleet centered at Honokōhau Harbor; NO state recreational licence required
Source: Hawaii special-water list

Per-species rules on Kona Coast — Honokōhau Harbor

Giant trevally (ulua / papio) regulations →
10 in fork min Caranx / Carangoides; offshore trolling + reef-edge live-bait
Yellowfin tuna (ahi) regulations →
No state limit; primary world-class ahi + billfish trolling tier; 1000+ ft depth within 1 mile of shore
Pacific blue marlin (kajiki) regulations →
No state limit; world-premier blue marlin destination — IGFA all-tackle world record 1,376 lb (1982); 1000+ ft depth within 1 mile of shore
Mahimahi (dolphinfish) regulations →
No state limit; trolled with the ahi + marlin spread and worked around the Kona FAD buoys + weedlines
ʻŌpakapaka (pink snapper / Deep 7) regulations →
Deep-drop ʻōpakapaka + onaga + ehu over the steep Kona ledges that fall to 1000+ ft within a mile of shore; 5 / day non-commercial combined Deep 7

Official source

Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) — Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) publishes the authoritative 2026 Hawaii fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Hawaii fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources's emergency-order feed — check it before any Hawaii trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Hawaii

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Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Kona Coast — Honokōhau Harbor?: Kona Coast — Honokōhau Harbor carries 6 special-regulation overlays that override Hawaii's statewide 2026 rules, covering Giant trevally (ulua / papio), Yellowfin tuna (ahi), Pacific blue marlin (kajiki), Mahimahi (dolphinfish), and 1 more. One of them reads: "World-class pelagic + billfish fishery; Pacific blue marlin (kajiki) + striped marlin (nairagi) + shortbill spearfish + yellowfin tuna (ahi) + bigeye tuna + mahi-mahi + wahoo (ono) + skipjack (aku) year-round; IGFA Pacific blue marlin all-tackle world record (1,376 lb, 1982) caught here; charter fleet centered at Honokōhau Harbor; NO state recreational licence required." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Kona Coast — Honokōhau Harbor?: Yes. Kona Coast — Honokōhau Harbor is in Hawaii, so a valid Hawaii fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) — Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Kona Coast (Big Island); they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Hawaii rules.
Do Kona Coast — Honokōhau Harbor's special rules replace Hawaii's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Hawaii's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Kona Coast (Big Island) by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Kona Coast (Big Island)?: Giant trevally (ulua / papio), Yellowfin tuna (ahi), Pacific blue marlin (kajiki), Mahimahi (dolphinfish), and ʻŌpakapaka (pink snapper / Deep 7) have a water-body-specific rule on Kona Coast — Honokōhau Harbor, each linking to its full Hawaii regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Hawaii limits.

← Back to Hawaii regulations overview