Honors for United Fishing Agency

Fresh island fish, whether it be poke, sashimi or grilled, has never been more popular with Island residents or visitors than today. While we all know where to get our favorites, many do not know that United Fishing Agency, more commonly known as Honolulu Fish Auction, has played a key role in getting them to our plates for 58 years.  It’s founder, Matsujiro Otani, and his hard work have made the family name synonymous with Hawaii’s fishing industry.  In recognition of this, the Hawaii State Legislature honored the United Fishing Agency and the Otani family with resolutions in both the House and Senate on March 29, 2010. Resolution HR271, Commending the United Fishing Agency for its dedicated service to Hawaii’s Fishing Industry, was introduced by Representative Ken Ito and unanimously adopted.

To receive the honor that day were Akira Otani, Chairman of United Fishing Agency, second son of Matsujiro and 442th Regiment, 100th Battalion Combat Team veteran; Mr. Danny Otani, President of United Fishing Agency and first son of Mr. Akira Otani; Mr. Floyd Otani, a Vice-President and second son of son of Mr. Akira Otani; Mr. Dexter Okada, a Vice-President and Director for United Fishing Agency and son of a UFA co-founder; Mr. Brooks Takenaka, the Treasurer and Assistant Manager for United Fishing Agency. 

Also in the gallery to honor United Fishing Agency that day were many from Hawaii’s fishing and seafood community including:

Commercial fishing industry:

Scott Barrows, General Manager, Hawaii Longline Association

Jim Cook, Pacific Ocean Producers

Carl Jellings, Near Shore Fisherman

Hawaii’s seafood industry:

Bruce Johnson, President, Fresh Island Fish

Guy Tamashiro, Tamashiro Market

Bob Fram, Garden & Valley Island Seafood

Gary Ishimoto, Diamond Head Seafood Damon Johnson, Honolulu Fish Company

From National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA )– Pacific Island Fisheries Science Center:

Samuel Pooley, Director, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, along with his staff from Fishery Biology and Stock Assessment and Fisheries Monitoring Branches (Pierre Kleiber, Fishery Biologist;  Robert Humphreys, Supervisory Fishery Biologist;  Ryan Nichols, Fishery Biologist Karen Underkoffler, Research Associate;  David Hamm, Branch Chief;  Kurt Kawamoto, Fisheries Monitoring and Analysis Program Manager;   Russell Ito, Fisheries Biologist;   William Walsh, JIMAR Researcher;   Walter Machado, JIMAR Fisheries Aide;  and Michael Abundo, JIMAR Fisheries Aide.)

Western Pacific Regional

Fishery Management Council Kitty Simonds

Fishing clubs

Roland Galacgac, President and Sandi Arakaki, Secretary - Atlapac Fishing Club

Frank Farm - Alii Holokai Diving Club

Ed Watamura, Wailua Boat Club.

Various fishing agencies, non-profits and organizations:

Clay Tam, State of Hawaii, Division of Aquatic Resources—Papio/Ulua Tagging Project

Neil Kanemoto, Billy Chang and Susan Fernandez—Pacific Island Fisheries Group

Stefanie Sakamoto—Mike Sakamoto Memorial Scholarship

Roy Morioka, International Game Fish Association

Tony Costa, Hawaii Nearshore Fishermen

Scotty Furushima, Kewalo Keiki Fishing Conservancy

Dr. John Kaneko, Hawaii Seafood Council

Fishing television shows and magazines:

Dean Sensui, Hawaii Goes Fishing Ben Wong, Let’s Go Fishing

Marc Inouye, Hawaii Skin Diver and Lawaia Magazine