POIPU — The big ones came rolling in, Sunday during the weigh in for the 2019 Fishing for Charity Shoreline Challenge at the Sheraton Kauai Resort grounds, just west of the wing being renovated.
The construction moved the weigh in to the grassy area between the resort and the parking lot and offered fishermen a variety of activities, including free food, a bounce house, keiki games, a fishpond, and a prize giveaway. These activities filled in the time between weighing in and the announcement of winners following the two-hour weigh in period.
“You have to wait,” said Junior Fuimaono. “I have a surprise catch. It’s not an ulua. You just have to wait to find out.”
Fuimaono kept his secret through the weigh in period, past the excitement generated when Kevin Fune’s cooler revealed the big ulua that topped the scale at 45.6 pounds, the weight being verified through several zero-ing clearances.
“I have to make sure it’s correct,” Fune said, coming over to join weighmaster Gordon Higa at the scale.
Aaron Saiki crossed the weigh tables late in the period, his cooler unveiling several fish including a papi‘o that settled the scales at 9.4 pounds — enough to take the papi‘o class over the challenge by Kamani Vidinha with a 9.0 fish, and Junya Ramos whose papi‘o settled at 8.6 pounds.
That’s when Fuimaono broke the silence, his cooler teasing the audience with a glimpse of a big tail as the angler weighed in his smaller fish.
“I wish I had my video camera when he caught this,” said his wife Eliza. “It was really exciting.”
Fuimaono pulled out the barracuda that settled the scales at 49.6 pounds following several attempts at clearing the scale for accuracy. This was the biggest fish submitted for the contest that was hosted to help raise funds toward the Kauai Visitor Industry Charity Walk.
“You folks are absolutely remarkable,” said Chip Bahouth, the Sheraton Kauai Resort general manager. “These are funds we share with 60 of Kauai’s nonprofit organizations to help other people here on the island. Everything we make stays here to help our people. Just through the registration fees, the Charity Walk has gained more than $7,000. The prize giveaway came up with an additional $1,000, and through the generosity of the tournament sponsors, there was another $13,000 coming in. Without you, none of this would have happened, and the Charity Walk thanks you all.”
Morgan Lopez, the Hawaii Lodging and Tourism Association, Kauai representative said there is another big event — the Countdown to Charity Walk — happening Saturday at the Kukui Grove Center starting at 10 a.m.
On the same day, the Hanalei Bay Resort is hosting its Kauai Charity Walk Doubles Tennis Tournament with registration starting at 9:30 a.m. and play beginning at 10 a.m. The round robin format will feature women’s and men’s divisions playing in Group A for 4.0 and better players, Group B for players 3.5 to 4.0, and Group C for players rated 3.0-3.5.
Results of Fishing for the Charity Walk Shoreline Challenge
Ulua: K. Fune (45.6), A. Saiki (38.6), B. Fune (35.2)
Jackpot Ulua: K. Fune, A. Saiki, B. Fune
Papi‘o: A. Saiki (9.4), K. Vidinha (9.0), J. Ramos (8.6)
Jackpot Papi‘o: A. Saiki, J. Ramos, J. Pascua
O‘io: C. Valmoja (4.1), A. Andres (3.4), R. Agoot (3.1)
Moi: C. Patricio (2.1), J. Fuimaono (2.0), K. Oshima (1.14)
Others 5 pounds & Over: J. Fuimaono (49.6), R. Silva (10.8), P. Medeiros (8.2)
Others 4.99 pounds & Under: C. Omo (4.8), R. Kaui (4.8), J. Rapozo (4.13)
Keiki ages 4-8: M. Young (2.15), E. Yoshimori (1.12), A. Rull (1.11)
Keiki ages 9-11: S. Taniguchi-Simbre (3.4), H. Albarado (2.84), H. Vicoy-Fuimaono (1.10)
Keiki ages 12-14: P. Silva (7.2), M. Yoshimori (2.6), J. Kaneakua (2.4)
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
