NAWILIWILI — Fish stories took the forefront when fish would not cooperate Sunday during the Nawiliwili Yacht Club’s annual Father’s Day Fishing Derby. “Normally, we catch one or two papio, but today, for whatever the reason, there aren’t any,” said
NAWILIWILI — Fish stories took the forefront when fish would not cooperate Sunday during the Nawiliwili Yacht Club’s annual Father’s Day Fishing Derby.
“Normally, we catch one or two papio, but today, for whatever the reason, there aren’t any,” said Corey Nakamura, who was enjoying the event with his family. “When it got close to the horn, I told my kids to go scrape near the carpet area.”
The late-derby effort paid off as Trey and Kate Nakamura were awarded “Next Biggest Shrimp” honors, the award coming with prizes contributed by community organizations.
More than 70 young anglers, almost all accompanied by parents and grandparents, turned out for the annual fun event.
Dean Toyofuku was an early arrival. He was so early, Gavin Toyofuku was showing off the papio which didn’t count because it was caught before the derby started at the Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor.
But in a morning filled with non-fish catches, news of the papio spread like wildfire, almost every camp whispering about “the one that didn’t count.”
Elijah Kim was another angler with “the one that didn’t count” as he showed off his humungous crab which he said the family snared, Saturday, the day before the contest.
Kaigi Cacal pushed the clock with his sting ray, which was later released. All of the qualifying entries had to be alive so they could be released following the weigh-in.
Cacal earned the “Biggest Fish” award, measured in length plus girth. Austin Oliveira was awarded the “Most Fish Caught” by hook, Taisen Kaneholani had the “Nest Biggest Fish,” Kristin Corpuz had the “First Fish,” Caden Shimabukuro had the “Longest Fish,” and Blake Antonio had the “Next Longest Fish.” Elisha Sanchez had the “Fattest Fish” and Kaylah Santos had the “Next Fattest Fish.”
Chase Contrades topped the judges’ special categories for the “Prettiest Fish” while Malie Miyazaki had the “Cutest Fish.” Josh Aquinaldo had the “Ugliest Fish” and Joshua Matsuyama had the “Most Unusual Fish” to round out that category’s leaders.
In light of fish not cooperating, the special “By Crook” category swelled with activity as Trestyn Valmoja won with the “Biggest Shrimp,” Megan Yasis had the “Crabbiest Twins,” Larry Loos had the “Smallest Crab,” Wes Aquinaldo had the “Next Smallest Crab,” and Kaylee Russell had a “Crab Salad.”
Some of the more unusual awards included Alicia Hayakawa getting the “Most Complete Ecosystem,” Robbie Russell geting the “Best Dancing Crab” and Alana Bailey getting the “Crab with Most Rocks.”
As the prizes were distributed, everyone agreed the event was a perfect way to spend Father’s Day with the weather cooperating, even if the fish did not.
Sharon Gibson, an NYC member, said the event would not be possible without the contributions of all the sponsors.
Visit www.nawiliwiliyachtclub.org for more information.
