Naʻenaʻe
About the Naʻenaʻe
A traditional Hawaiian food fish, named for the bright orange band edged in violet on its shoulder. Adults trade the solid yellow of juveniles for a two-tone gray-brown — pale up front, darker behind. You'll find them cruising the sand and rubble flats beside the reef, grazing the film of algae and detritus off the bottom.
How we hunt them
Naʻenaʻe work the sand flats in ones and twos and tend to drift just out of range when pressed. Slide down along the reef edge and let them work back toward you rather than chasing them across open sand. Like all surgeonfish, they carry a scalpel-sharp spine at the tail base — handle your catch with care.
Rules & regulations
No statewide size or bag limit for naʻenaʻe. Top Shot house standards still apply: 2 fish per person per species and 5 fish total per guest.
Non-residents age 15+ also need the Hawaiʻi nonresident marine fishing license (HAR 13-74-11) — buy online or see our regulations guide.
Hunt Naʻenaʻe with a guide
Every Top Shot Spearfishing dive covers species ID, regulations, and technique — beginners welcome.
Group Dive — $299Private Dive — $449+