Kahala: Amberjack in Hawaiian Waters

Pronunciation: Kahala, approximately “kah-hah-lah.”

Meet the Kahala

A metallic body, an amber-colored stripe, and a powerful swimming profile make amberjacks striking members of Hawaiʻi’s marine life. But their names can take a little untangling: kahala is used for the greater amberjack (Seriola dumerili) and also for the related almaco jack (Seriola rivoliana). A Hawaiian name does not always map neatly to just one scientific species. [1, 3]

Our card uses the broad English label “Amberjack.” This guide explains that naming overlap, then focuses on the documented natural history of the greater amberjack. Its size, depth range, and juvenile habits below should not be assumed to describe every fish called kahala.

Is “Amberjack” Different from “Greater Amberjack”?

“Amberjack” can simply be a shorter common name for greater amberjack. It does not automatically identify a separate species. The greater amberjack is Seriola dumerili, while the almaco jack is Seriola rivoliana. Kahala appears among the common names used for both. [1, 3, 4]

These related fishes can look similar. An illustration or a brief underwater glimpse may not reveal enough detail for a confident species identification, so pairing common names with scientific names helps keep the facts clear. [3]

How Big Do Greater Amberjack Get?

Greater amberjack can grow into substantial fish. Reported upper-end figures include lengths up to six feet and weights generally up to 120 pounds. Those are not the dimensions of every individual you might encounter, but they give a sense of how much growing a young fish has ahead of it. [1]

Like other jacks, they are strong-swimming predators. Their size and swimming ability make them a striking contrast to the smaller animals living close to reef shelter. [2]

Recognizing a Greater Amberjack

Look for a light metallic-brown body with a purplish tinge, a pale yellow band running from the head toward the base of the tail, and a dark diagonal streak through the eye. The yellow band can fade after the fish is caught, so photographs do not always show it equally clearly. [1]

• Body: Metallic brown, sometimes with a purplish cast.
• Side: A pale yellow horizontal band.
• Eye marking: A dark diagonal streak.
• Overall impression: A large, strong-swimming jack. [1, 2]

These are useful clues, not a complete identification key. Greater amberjack and almaco jack can resemble one another, so a stripe alone is not enough to distinguish them. [3]

Where Greater Amberjack Live

Greater amberjack typically inhabit deeper coastal water, often around 60 to 600 feet or more, and are associated with the bottom. Broader Hawaiian records for kahala extend from nearshore areas to waters deeper than 1,100 feet. This is not a fish confined to a single shallow reef zone. [1, 2]

Deep ledges, slopes, and drop-offs form part of the greater amberjack’s world. It can come close to shore, but deeper-water habitat is central to its story, so a shallow snorkeling sighting is not something to count on. [1]

A Floating Gathering Place for Young Fish

Young greater amberjack are often found around floating objects at sea. That association makes their early habitat quite different from the deeper coastal areas used later in life. [1]

It is a useful reminder that identifying a fish’s habitat means asking about its age as well as its species. A juvenile and a large adult can use very different parts of the ocean without being different kinds of fish.

What Do Greater Amberjack Eat?

Fish and squid are part of the greater amberjack’s diet, and feeding occurs during both daylight and nighttime hours. [1]

There are also regional differences in Hawaiian records for kahala. Observations from the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands describe feeding on octopus and other bottom-dwelling prey, while those from the Main Hawaiian Islands describe feeding within the water column. [2]

Part of the Jack Family

Greater amberjack and almaco jack belong to the same broad fish family as the trevallies featured elsewhere in this guide. Compare them with Ulua, the giant trevally, and ʻŌmilu, the bluefin trevally, to explore different forms of strong-swimming marine predators. [2, 3]

Shared family membership does not make these fish interchangeable. Their markings, preferred habitats, and life histories offer different clues to who is passing through the water.

Solitary Fish or Small School?

Greater amberjack may occur alone or in small schools. Combined with their wide depth range, this means one encounter offers only a small glimpse of the species’ way of life. [1]

If you see an amberjack underwater, observe without pursuing or feeding it. Notice the eye markings, the side band if visible, and the setting around the fish. It is fine to leave an identification at “amberjack” when the finer details are not clear.

Meet the Fish Behind the Cards

Our Hawaiian Reef Fish Playing Cards pair watercolor illustrations with Hawaiian and English names. Explore the full deck to meet fish from shallow reef flats to deeper coastal waters, and bring a little ocean discovery to your next card game.

Sources

[1] Hawaiʻi Division of Aquatic Resources: Fishing in Hawaiʻi, A Student Manual. Kahala as greater amberjack; identification, size, habitat, juvenile association with floating objects, diet, and schooling.

[2] Hawaiʻi DLNR: Bottomfishes, State Wildlife Action Plan. Jack family membership, swimming behavior, Hawaiian habitat records, and regional feeding differences.

[3] NOAA Fisheries: Almaco Jack. Scientific identity, kahala among its common names, family membership, and similarity to related species.

[4] NOAA Fisheries: Greater Amberjack. Scientific identity and “amberjack” as an alternative common name.