June 30, 2025 — Retailers selling ahi sashimi, poke and sushi in Hawaii now have a year to label the origin of yellowfin and bigeye tuna in those products so consumers know if they are buying locally caught fish.
Gov. Josh Green on Friday signed a bill imposing the labeling requirement, which takes effect July 1, 2026.
House Bill 534, now Act 238, was one of five bills Green signed Friday pertaining to food, agriculture and biosecurity.
“The health and resiliency of our agricultural lands and producers are not just vital—they are the very foundation of Hawaii’s well-being and future, ” Green said in a statement.
Hawaii fishing industry advocates say most of the raw ahi in sashimi, poke and sushi sold at stores in Hawaii is imported, and that retailers don’t have to disclose where the fish is from due to a loophole in federal seafood labeling law.
Imported ahi in such products currently sold in Hawaii is often labeled “previously frozen ” and priced far less than local ahi labeled as “fresh.” Imported ahi also is often treated with carbon monoxide gas to maintain the color and appearance of fresh ahi.
A year from now, disclosing the country from which the fish originates also will be required on labels.