Two specimens of Kuhlia sandvicensis (Steindachner, 1876), previously reported in Japanese waters only from Minamitori-shima Island, were recently collected from Minamidaito-jima Island, Japan. In Japanese waters, K. sandvicensis is most similar to Kuhlia munda (De Vis, 1884), but differs from the latter in having a greater number of lower gill rakers (25–30 vs. 21–26), smaller eyes (eye diameter 2.88–3.45 in head length vs. 2.30–2.80), and no dark markings on the body and fins (except black caudal-fin margins in juveniles) (vs. a black spot on the caudal-fin base and dark diagonal bands on both caudal-fin lobes). The new standard Japanese name “Saihate-yugoi” is proposed for the species.
