HONOLULU -- One of the New Year's traditions in Hawaii is sashimi, and it appears that there will be a good supply this year.

KITV's Ben Gutierrez was at the fish auction and reported that things were heating up in the chilly confines of the United Fishing Agency auction as buyers checked out freshly caught ahi -- much of it headed to plates as New Year's sashimi.

Guy Tamashiro of Tamashiro Market was among those looking for fish.

Tamashiro said there would be no shortage this year:

"Boats are catching a lot of fish, as opposed to previous years when sometimes the boats, the catch rate was very small," Tamashiro said.

The buyers were looking for the best grade and looking closely at the cuts -- and even feeling them carefully -- to find the ahi with the right combination of size, color, firmness and fat content.

And how much should a person expect to pay per pound for prime ahi -- for the best sashimi?

"Maybe $19.95 to $29.95, but there'll still be decent stuff, I think, between $10 and $15," said Tamashiro.

Tamashiro did say, however, that as New Year's approaches, the prices might increase.

"My advice to shoppers is to shop early because they'll have the best selection in terms of the very best, and also the least expensive," said Tamashiro.