What does opihi mean in Hawaiian?

What does opihi mean in Hawaiian?

the fish of death
There is a known Hawaiian saying: He ia make ka opihi. This translates to: opihi is the fish of death. You often hear stories about the deadly opihi, the very dangerous opihi, and how people risk their lives for the taste of opihi! Why?

What does opihi stand for?

limpets
Definition of opihi Hawaii. : any of several edible limpets (genus Helcioniscus)

Where are opihi found?

Northwestern Hawaiian Islands
The green foot ‘opihi is found primarily in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, but it has been occasionally collected from Kaua’i. Historically, it was found on O’ahu and Maui as well.

How much is a pound of opihi?

A pound of opihi — about 15 to 30 pieces depending on their size — sells for about $20. The 784 opihi weighed about 15 pounds, said Dan Dennison, a spokesman for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

What is the scientific name for opihi?

Cellana exarata
Cellana exarata/Scientific names

What does Opihi man mean?

Music, like the Ka’au Crater Boy’s popular “’Opihi Man” song, commemorates ‘opihi picking. Parents refer to their infants as ‘opihi for their unwillingness to leave their embrace. Old shells are turned into jewelry. ‘Opihi was a staple of pre-contact Hawaiian diet and their shells used as scraping tools.

Is a limpet a snail?

The common limpet is an herbivorous marine snail that lives along the rocky shores of Western Europe. As they live in the intertidal zone (the area along the shore between the high tide and low tide sea levels), these limpets are extremely well adapted to an amphibious life.

Is Opihi the fish of death?

There is a known Hawaiian saying: He ia make ka opihi. This translates to: opihi is the fish of death. You often hear stories about the deadly opihi, the very dangerous opihi, and how people risk their lives for the taste of opihi!

What is Opihi (Lempet)?

Opihi is a limpet. It is a small Hawaiian shellfish that you can eat raw or cooked. Opihi is a prized delicacy and is important to Hawaiian culture. You might celebrate a special occasion or birthday with caviar, but we celebrate with opihi.

Are Opihi deadlier than sharks in Hawaii?

With grim numbers like these, opihi are deadlier than sharks, box jellyfish or any other creature living in Hawaiian waters. Brian Calantoc of Hilo is one of a handful of people on the Big Island, where most of the opihi sold in Honolulu come from, who pick opihi for a living.

How much do Opihi fish cost in Hawaii?

You will find them rattling around in bags tied to the waists of opihi pickers, who risk their necks to get them. You will find them next to the poke in Honolulu fish markets, selling for up to $18 per pound in the shell.