Fishing on Windward O‘ahu
Shoreline fishing and spearfishing are popular activities on the windward coast, whether for hobby, sport, or sustenance. Between Sandy Beach and La‘ie, there are miles of accessible coastline where you can pull out the rod and reel, or hold your breath, and fish.
You can shoreline fish from the beaches of Waimanalo, Kailua, Ka‘a‘awa, Kahana, Punalu‘u, Hau‘ula, La‘ie Point State Wayside, and Malaekahana State Recreation Area. In Kane‘ohe Bay, people often fish from He‘eia Pier. In some areas, especially from Kualoa to Kahana, where the ocean pushes right up again the highway, you can find a place to pull off on the shoulder, pop up a tent, and cast a line. Spearfishing is also popular along the shallow nearshore waters where rock and reef make up the ocean bottom. Waimanalo, Kualoa, Ka‘a‘awa, and Malaekahana State Recreation Area are all good spots to spearfish, and octopus, locally known as tako, is abundant in these areas—if you can find them.
If you’re inclined to get out on the open water to fish, kayak fishing is the easiest way to go. Waimanalo, Kailua, and Kane‘ohe Bay are more protected from the wind and better for fishing from a kayak. Ka‘a‘awa also has nice long stretches of nearshore water to troll as well, but is more prone to the trade winds.
The deep waters off the southeast and windward coast can be rough, so deep-sea fishing charters stick to the south and west shores. But the dark blue deep also holds the bigger fish like wahoo, yellowfin tuna, and marlin. Island Watersports Hawaii (377 Keahole St., 808/224-0076, 7am-7pm daily) is the only fishing charter operating out of the Hawaii Ka‘i Marina. Depending on ocean and weather conditions, they troll for big game fish or fish the ledges off of Maunalua Bay. The charter is $300 per hour, with a four-hour minimum and six-passenger maximum. Fishing gear and a captain are included in the price, and they will let you keep some of your catch, something a lot of charters don’t offer. Call the office, located in the Hawaii Ka‘i Shopping Center, to inquire about discounted rates.
If you’re coming from Honolulu and forget your fishing gear, you’ll need to stop at Nanko Fishing Supply (46-003 Alaloa St., 808/247-0938, 8am-6pm Mon., 8am-8pm Tues.-Sat., 9am-2pm Sun.), the hub of fishing gear for the windward side. Also, Longs (46-047 Kamehameha Hwy., 808/235-4511, 7am-midnight daily) in the Kaneohe Bay Shopping Center sells basic fishing supplies and three-prong spears.
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