LIHU‘E – First it was a 50-pounder snagged by Dovennie Orial that stirred the excitement at the 29th Annual Lihu‘e Fishing Supply Shoreline Jackpot Fishing Tournament Sunday. That excitement settled, but was rekindled as back-to-back entries toppled the lead, first
LIHU‘E – First it was a 50-pounder snagged by Dovennie Orial that stirred the excitement at the 29th Annual Lihu‘e Fishing Supply Shoreline Jackpot Fishing Tournament Sunday.
That excitement settled, but was rekindled as back-to-back entries toppled the lead, first by a 56.35 entry submitted by Richard Garcia, followed by a 62.9-pounder caught by Jett Tokita.
That scenario was almost scripted for TV as Ben Wong of “Hawai‘i Goes Fishing” was on hand for the weigh-in that took place Sunday morning at Kalena Park.
Television is nothing new for fishing tournament weigh-ins here as JK of the JK Show has been religiously dogging each one as it takes place in the calendar year.
But, the 29th tournament for Lihu‘e Fishing Supply was beyond the ordinary as media representatives from the OC-16 show, “Hawai‘i Goes Fishing” stayed the duration of the weigh-in, Wong carefully wiring up each submission for a short description of their catch.
Add to that a photographer assigned to do “Hawai‘i Fishing News” photos, and the event took on a festive atmosphere as anglers dined on hot dogs and cold drinks while waiting for the weigh-in to close, all the while celebrating the 89th birthday of “Aunty Kimi” Kanemaru, one of the store’s founders, Aunty Kimi taking up a seat of honor next to the scale manned by weighmaster Kent Nishioka.
All of this comes at a time when local anglers are facing less fishing areas due to access issues.
Kerry Yokoyama, who was entering only his second tournament this year, said that even with the access provided by PMRF, there are areas that are no longer accessible to anglers.
Russell Onuma manned the microphone and dolled out door prizes donated by the many vendors that supply the Kalena Street store.
Of note were the younger anglers who are picking up the tradition from their dads – Tanya Rames earning second in the barracuda competition, her dad “Fish” Rames a longtime supporter of shoreline fishing tourneys.
Another young angler, Kekoa Cacal was the second place winner with his 4.75-pound stickfish, the unusual catch capturing the attention of visitors who could not resist a picture of what they described as “a prehistoric fish.”
When the dust had settled, Tokita, normally an Oio fisherman, took top honors in the Ulua competition with Troy Hamura’s first entry in the Papio division, a 9.85-pounder, staving off all comers through 90 minutes for the top purse.
Hamura’s daughter Sheree got a special prize for her aweoweo entry.
A 6.8-pound oio caught by Brandon Fujioka topped that competition with Jerry Albarado taking the Moi division on a 3.15-pound submission.
Kevin Pongasi topped the Others Over Five Pounds with a 7.25-pound kahala while Bryson Worrell’s early entry of a 4.95-pound nenue topped the Others Under Five Pounds.
Dustin Martinez topped the Fresh Water division with a 3.25-pound tucunare, and Shawne Baliaris edged out Tanya Rames for the special barracuda award with a 2.95-pounder.
Wong said he plans to air the Kaua‘i segment on one of his “Hawai‘i Goes Fishing” shows on either Oct. 17, or Oct. 25.
The Lihu‘e Fishing Supply contest is one of the last tourneys of the calendar year.
Lihu‘e Fishing Supply Division winners
Ulua – Jett Tokita 62.9
Papio – Troy Hamura 9.85
Oio – Brandon Fujioka 6.8
Moi – Jerry Albarado 3.15
Fresh Water – Dustin Martinez (tuc) 3.25
Others (Under 5 pounds) – Bryson Worrell 4.95
Others (Over 5 pounds) – Kevin Pongasi 7.25
Barracuda – Shawne Baliaris 2.95
