The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1891-08-08
OUR FOOD SUPPLY.
THE HONOLULU Fish
MARKET.
Queer and Curious Edibles--
Rare Products Of the
BriDy Deep.
DESCRIPTION OF The new bARKET.

Malheg, NulCH Will pfOUdDlN oOOn
take place, Honolulu loses another
one of her oldest landmarks. The
building, or attenuated series Of
shanties. now used as fish market
was completed in 1855. Previous to
that time the area between G.. Brewer
Il Co. S and Tue store of NJ. W. Me-
Chesney & Sons was utilized for the
sale of all kinds of fish, and the
building now occupied by c. Brewer
& Co. was divided into stalls for the
sale of vegetables, tobacco, bananas,
etc. After continuous use Of 36
wears, during which time the old ka-
maainas figured prominently, it be-
came evident that the old building
was too small for the rapidly grow
ing city, and an appropriation was
made by the Legislature of 1888 Of
S25, 900 for the erection of new
MAJ ket building.
The old market Is situated a few
rods beyond Brewers wharf. its posi-
ton being readily discerned ON account
of the usual string of hacks standing
near by. On entering the market on
the left hand side the visitor sees a
meat stall over which Chinaman
presdes. Next to this Mr.. Mahoe,
who has for several years past been
part and parcel Of the everyday life
of the market, has three tables In
the first he has inr sale all varieties
of fresh fish; in the second he has
fresh salmon, and in the third, every
other day, fresh meat for disposal.
Mr.. Mahoe has grown old and well
off in the business, and there is no
more sociable and genial character in
the place.
On the Eva side of the walk are
four Mongolians and one native, ven
doris of fresh meat. A bitter rivalry
has existed since the native made
his debut. The Hawaiian is fluent
speaker and would win over custom
ers from his rivals tables, conse-
quently the Chinese are down on
him. On passing these stalls the
visitor comes to another Chinese
stall, where fresh fish is sold, especi-
ally mullet. 1t is here that eels and
other fish, for which the Portuguese
have a great liking, are procured.
The fish are all caught in the harbor.
Adjoining this on the same. side are
several native women, who have for
sale dried fish of every description.
Prominent among these dried arti-
cles are some very rare fish, which
are brought by our coasters from the
other islands. For instance, the
aku, which comes from Kona, is a
favorite dish with the Hawaians,
and sells at fifty cents apiece. The
hee or squid is also bought here
dried for the same price. These fish
when broiled are excellent articles of
diet. The wana or sea-eggs, fresh
from the sea, can be procured at this
stall on Saturdays only.
The next stand, at present vacant,
was formerly occupied by John Ka-
ulahea, a composition by trade, but
who in the duIlness of the trade had
deserted his avocaton in the belief
that he would make his fortune in
the salmon trade. Unfortunately for
him he has since failed. Continu-
ing, another fresh fish stand greets
the view. 1t is here that the moi is
obtainable-a fish of a white color,
which if cooked in ii leaves is very
sweet, and is preferred by the natives
to the sweetest of mullet. 1t is
caught with line and bait, even in
the harbor, but not SO good as when
caught in the blue seas. The ava
and awaaua from ponds and salt
water, the mlu and hilu and other
rare fish peculiar, it is said by old
natives, to Hawaiian waters, are also
for sale in that stand.
The next stalls on the same side
are presided over by a syndicate,
with Mr.. Pekelo at the head. Lob
sters, mullets, flying fish, fresh crabs,
oio, uhu and another variety of fish
are disposed of. The prices of the
fnny tribe vary in accordance with
the times. Molokai furnishes for the
greater part articles for these stalls.
Dried fish, cut and dried on the spot,
are in great abundance. Mr.. Pekelo
has made his fortune at the business,
and increases his hoard with every
shining hour.
Turning the corner on the route to
the exit fresh fish stands again greet
the view, some of which are presided
over by combination of young fIa-
waiians, their fish being of the same
assortment as the aforementioned
stalls. Here rather glib talker
often lures the purchaser from the
other stands and before he or she
knows what they are doing the fish
is forced upon them.
The Hawaiians are well acquainted
with the fact that plausible talker,
with winning ways and abundant
smiles, is generally able to. sell you
anything whether you wish 1t or not.
Further on is a Chinese fresh fish
stand, where for the most part null
let and crabs, and sometimes eels
caught in the harbor, are exchanged
for Kalakaua coin. Still another
fresh meat market adjoins this stand.
On the opposite side. going back on
the left hand, are four fresh meat
stanis, presided over by tue lads of
the Flowery Kingdom.