Innholdsfortegnelse for November 2004 i Hawaii Fishing News

Dear All, It is with a heavy heart that I write to you. I never claimed to be a writer nor a reporter. Unlike writers and reporters, I cannot just sit, write and have a story the following day. A few years ago I wrote an article on our club. Shortly after, Chuck (editor/publisher, HFN) asked me if I would be interested in doing a monthly or bi-monthly article to promote our club and also serve as a voice for the free-diving community. For this I will be forever grateful. This writing was fueled by many who I have came in contact with. Divers such as Brian Yoshikawa, Sam Kuboyama, Tim Nakamura (just to name a few) showed me an underwater world that was both exciting and. rewarding. I was…

Second Annual Mid-Term Casting Tournament ■ On July 23 to 25, the Ulua 101 Casting Club held its second annual Mid-Term Casting Tournament. The weather couldn’t have been better as 57 entrants pounded all shores. Coming in first place was Koa Burrows with an ulua weighing 54.1 lbs, earning him $855. Second place went to one of our consistent anglers, Leroy Hernandez, with a GT weighing 48.1 lbs, garnering him $513. Last but not least, in third place was Casey Nishihira with his ulua weighing in at 34.6 lbs. netting him $342. All in all, there was a good turnout and all anglers had a good time sharing stories of the ones that got away at the weigh-in on Sunday at One Alii Park. A total of 11 fish made…

■ Honouli Wai, in Moloka‘i, is a beautiful valley that’s lush, green and full of life and friendliness. Gery lives in this valley, and he understands how it works and how to use the land well. He grows taro and harvests the fruit and prawns in the valley. He’s very proud of his valley, and he presented me with the gift of learning how to gather prawns. We had been planning to go on this adventure for a couple of days. When the day finally arrived, I gathered all of the gear together that he said we would need-spears, scoop-nets, flashlight and tabis. We made our way to the truck, 1 hopped in the back, and we drove down to Gery’s house to set the traps. It was warm, and…

Whale Tale? Dear Chuck, I’m wondering if you (or others you know) might be able to identify the species of fish in these photos. The photos were taken on 6 October about 35 km offshore of Kailua-Kona (water depth was > 3000 m). The fish had just been brought up to the surface by a false killer whale. I just got back from a trip out there, working with beaked whales, false killer whales, and a couple of other species. Thanks! Robin Baird <rwbaird@cascadiaresearch.org> Chuck, I received the same photos from Robin Baird, as did Dr. Chris Kelley. Chris concluded that the fish might be a bramid such as Eumegistus illustris (Monchong) and I agreed. But a tough call without seeing more of the fish. Aloha, Dr. Jack Randall…

June 25, 2003 Dear Mr. Johnston, Our law firm represents the Hawaii Kai Marina Association (“the Association”). The Association has recently discovered, in its discussions with federal regulatory agencies, that the HAWAII FISHING NEWS may be planning to publish an article that incorrectly states or implies that the Association is violating or intends to violate laws relating to the protection of endangered species when it dredges the Marina and disposes of the alluvium. This letter serves as notice to the HAWAII FISHING NEWS that any allegations of wrongdoing against the Association is false. The Association is following all regulations and laws with respect to its dredging activities. It has sought the U.S. Army Corps’ approval of its dredging plans. The U.S. Army Corps is consulting with the U.S. Fish &…

■ “Hit and miss,” “hot and cold,” or “you should have been here yesterday.” Take your pick of any one of these statements. Each of them described the fishing action during the month. Early in the month, the action seemed to surround the buoys. Sometimes it was hot at R-buoy, then the fish moved to S-buoy. On a few days it was hot at BO-buoy and at S or R at the same time. Fishermen caught aku in the 3- to 10-lb range and ‘ahi weighing from 3 to 60 lbs. Trolling, jigging and palu-’ahi all worked. The big stuff, however, was found around the nehu bait balls. Toward the end of the month, multiple ‘ahi flags were seen on several boats in the harbor. During one two-day period, the…

■ It was heralded as the largest, most prestigious contest to come to Hawaii. It was to showcase the “best of the best” in the world of competitive spear fishing. With the newly-formed Hawaiian Islands Freedive Council (HIFC) and the Hawaii Council of Diving Clubs (HCDC), it wasn’t a matter of “who would win?” Instead we wondered, in what order? The day started out beautifully. The sun was shining, and the ocean was as flat as a lake. Families, friends and curious onlookers lined the shore to cheer and await the arrival of their favorites. The festive atmosphere soon took a tragic turn. At the 3p.m. deadline, two divers had not returned. A massive search ensued, and the results of the search had organizers, families and friends literally on their…

Game Bird Hunting Season ■ The DLNR announced that the 2004-2005 game bird hunting season will open on November 6, 2004, and run through January 17, 2005. Mauna Kea GMA and Ka‘ohe will be open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays and state holidays. Wild turkeys can only be hunted in the month of November. Mauna Kea GMA will open to game mammal hunting on non-bird hunting days. Privately owned lands will be open on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays and state holidays. Hunters must first obtain permission from the landowners. Pu‘u-Anahulu GMA will be open from December 4, 2004, to December 26, 2004, on Saturdays, Sundays and state holidays. Kapapala CGMA will be open only on weekends and state holidays through the game bird hunting season. Hunters must check in and…

Let’s Apply Peer Pressure ■ This past Labor Day weekend, many of us were surprised by the DLNR’s enforcement of a law prohibiting camping within a state park without a permit. This statute had never been steadfastly enforced before, particularly on long weekends such as Labor Day. Many of us couldn’t understand what was occurring. Camping, as defined by the Hawaii Revised Statutes, is the possession of camping paraphernalia (tents, cots, sleeping bags, etc.) within a state park an hour after sunset until sunrise. It may also be defined as being within a state park after it has closed. I wondered what was going on. Camping on the weekends is an island tradition! Why were these laws being enforced now? Why were these laws even on the books? This needed…

Shimano Spheros Series Spinning Reels Classy, sturdy, smooth. ■ Shimano’s Spheres series reels are good looking, smooth and rugged. Many types of reels have gone for an ultra-high-style facade that seems more suited for a showcase than a surf cast, but the black and gold Spheres reels offer a convincing no-nonsense look. The Spheres series runs from an ultralight model (12.5 oz with a 230-yard capacity of 6-Ib test line) up to a 28.9-oz workhorse capable of handling 220 yards of 30-lb test. I field-tested a mid-sized Spheres 6000FA model weighing 20.5 oz, which I chose for its lightness, versatility and line capacity. It holds 300 yards of 10-lb test (great for whipping for papio), 265 of 12-lb test (dunking for papio and ‘o‘io on protected beaches and calm-water fiats),…

■ By now, most O‘ahu residents are familiar with the monthly invasion of potentially dangerous stinging box jellies. A box jelly is one whose “bell” has four distinct sides, as opposed to more rounded, cup-shaped jellies. These jellies turn up eight to 12 days after the full moon, as noted in last month’s HAWAII FISHING NEWS. Specifically, the culprit of these invasions is the winged box jelly, or Carybdea alata-one of three kinds of box jellies found in Hawaii’s waters, and the type that delivers the most potent sting. The winged box jelly has a bell that is 3 inches long. The tentacles that trail from the “corners” of the bell can measure up to 2 feet in length. Both the bell and the tentacles have venom cells that inflict…

Micronesian Mariculture Demonstration Center ■ While attending a Fisheries Conference in Noumea, I was able to visit their marine aquarium. I was so impressed with the display of saltwater fish and corals growing in the tanks, that I went to see the manager, a delightful, friendly and very wise Frenchman. When I asked him how he was able to get corals to grow in his tanks, he immediately took me on a behind-the-scenes tour of his facility, showing me how the water was distributed through the system from a large holding facility above the aquaria. We then went to the top of a large hill behind the facility where a large reservoir was located and into which he was pumping salt water from the shoreline below. He explained that this…

■ Action at “the Banks” returned, with big mahimahi and ono slamming baits. Also, a few scattered marlin have been reported. It seems the slow spell has ended. Hawai i Kai’s First Annual Mahi Mahi World Championship was held by the Koko Marina Center and The Baja Boys Fishing Club on the 18th of September. Despite the howling winds and lack of fish at the Banks, 36 contestants braved the seas to do battle for the title. Mahimahi and ono were the only fish that counted. By the end of the day, more than half of the entered boats came under the bridge to weigh their catches on the dock directly below The Kona Brewing Co. This was a great tournament. Onlookers viewed the activities in comfort and style from…

For letters, with photos, received during November we’ll send you HFN’s New Red, White and Blue Fight For the Right to Fish” Cap … our way of saying thanks for sharing your catch! …Hana pa a, Chuck Send to: P.O. Box 25488, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96825 Hi Uncle Chuck, I wanted to share this picture of me and my Uncle Elvin with his very first ‘ahi that he caught with my Aunty Melodee. Boy, was the family happy. I have my life vest ready and can’t wait to catch mine. Aloha, Kailani Chang Mililani, O‘ahu Hi Chuck, My name is Evan and I am 9 years old. In August, I went ulua fishing with my dad and Uncle Mark. We anchored in Kane‘ohe Bay in 40 feet of water and used…

Men’s Team Place Divers Points First Jason Hijirida………………186.5 Travis Kashiwa, Lance Otsubo Second Ken Lee, Steven Lee…………178.5 Gerald Lim Third Alex Bristol, Harolf Dean……134.5 Severino Cruz Men’s Individual Place Divers Points First Lance Otsubo…………………90.4 Second Wayde Havashi…………71.8 Points Third John Iwaniec………………69.3 Points Men’s individual Results Place Diver Points Fourth Gerald Lim……………68.0 Points Fifth Andrew Geist……………59.0 Points Novice Division Men’s John Iwaniec…………69.3 Points Women’s Kimi Makaiau…………29.3 Points Largest Fish Men’s Lance Otsubo…………23.2-lb awa Women’s Kimi Makaiau……………6-lb palani Women’s Individual Results Place Diver Points First Janis Smith……………32.1 Points Second Kimi Makaiau……………29.3 Points Third Sheri Dave…………………26.5 Points Mixed Team Results Place Divers Points First Sheri Daye, Daryl Wong……………77.7 Second Kimi Makaiau, Dell Agricula…. 59.7 Third Bonnie Row, Bill Ernst……………54.6 Mahalo Nuii ■ On behalf of the Hawaiian Islands Freedive Council (HIFC) and 93…

■ The last time I wrote about fishing headlamps was nearly three years ago, and a lot of improvements have been made since then. My prior article mentioned the Extreme headlamp, which was originally a Night Lite product that was customized and enhanced for ulua fishing by Hawai‘i distributor Wally Rivera. As mentioned in that earlier article, Wally is an avid ulua angler. His successful experimentation with and development of lighting products were a big hit statewide with many ulua anglers and also with small-game anglers who do a lot of night fishing targeting menpachi, ‘aweoweo and aholehole. I was most impressed by two of the many products that Wally now imports into Hawai‘i as the leading distributor. One of the items is the 9-volt battery pack. The pack feeds…

■ Recently Peter Young, chairman of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, and the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), stated in several newspaper articles that the DLNR would be offering the boat harbors managed by the DLNR to the counties, and that any harbors not taken by the counties could be privatized. One of the reasons stated was that the state of Hawai‘i lacked the money to repair boating facilities that are in need of repairs and in some cases, replacement. It was very disappointing to read Peter Young’s statement. It was the same mantra that several other past chairmen of DLNR during the Cayetano Administration had proclaimed! What a shame to discover that under Linda Lingle’s Administration, a “new beginning” would stand for same old stuff!…

Dear HAWAII FISHING NEWS, I am a first-time reader of your mag. I read about the NEPTUNE, and a tear came from my eye. It’s sad to see something like the aku boats dying at the docks. I worked in Kane‘ohe Bay for three years and saw the ORION, SEA QUEEN, NEPTUNE, KULA KAI at the docks and talked to some of the crewmen and became friends with some of them. I think they should save the NEPTUNE. It’s part of Hawaii’s history, you know. My cousin worked in the aku industry for years on the ORION and KULA KAI. After 10 to 15 years of fishing aku, he quit and went to work on the CLEAN ISLANDS boat at Pier 35. He was a good fisherman. He got me…

Anti-Fishing Activists Fishing for Control of Hawaii’s Entire Ecosystem ■ It’s takes enough time to catch ulua, papio, akule, ‘ahi or a marlin. Why would Hawai‘i fishermen want to take fishing time to know why fish live in an ecosystem? Because fishing for control of ecosystems is what some banfishing activists do for sport. The Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council (WESPAC) is now taking public comment on ecosystem fishing. Their proposed ecosystem would cover the main Hawaiian islands, the NWHI and Johnston Atoll. So what’s the problem with a fishing ecosystem? The first test in ecosystem management in Hawaii’s waters is the Northwest Hawaiian Islands (NWHI) marine sanctuary. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has just proposed regulations for the NWHI ecosystem. Under this NOAA proposal, longline fishing,…

Dear Chuck, On April 29,1 had a collection of family and friends in from out of town for my wedding. Instead of a traditional bachelor party, we decided to take the guys out fishing. Whenever my family has gone on fishing trips with me in the past, we would get skunked. In fact, my dad seriously doubted that there were any fish left in the ocean. On this day, however, Lady Luck was on our side. We had rented a 55’ fishing vessel out of Nawiliwili Harbor named THE KONANE STAR. Our captain was Zack Robinson, and the crew was a guy named Dave from the Big Island. Anglers were my dad and brother Richard and Rich Jr. Peretti, Tyler and Randy Stratton, Bob and Brennen Overstreet, Bruce Hooker, Mike…

■ Kona had a great and exciting month, with lots of blue marlin weighed in and tagged and released. One black marlin was weighed and one sailfish was brought in during the beginning of September. Tropidilla’s annual Okoe Bay Rendezvous was the only tournament held. An abundance of blue marlin were caught in our beautiful Kona waters. The month produced a total of 232 blue marlin, of which 143 were tagged and released and 89 were weighed in. Only one fish over 500 lbs was tagged and released. On the 16th, Capt. Scott Fuller of the TARA took angler Gene Holmes out fishing and succeeded in tagging a 575-lb blue marlin. On board the SEA GENIE II, Capt. Gene Vander Hoek had a excellent month of fishing. He and his…