Innholdsfortegnelse for July 2005 i Hawaii Fishing News

A Shorecaster’s Dream Fish! ■ Duke Paa‘aina saw it first. “Look, look! A big boy,” he said as a huge ulua showed itself in the shallow wave cresting 10 feet from the small lava point. Bold and fearless, the ulua looked to be 80 to 90 lbs and was in only about 8 feet of water. Bill Vierra and Edward Delos Santos stood and watched in amazement. Bill had two ulua poles out and live nenue on them. But there was another ulua pole at the camp, Bill thought as he watched the ulua slip by. “Another one,” Duke yelled with astonishment as he pointed slightly to the left and toward another incoming wave. This one was even bigger. Thick across the, back and dark gray, it had a whitish-silver…

■ EnviroWatch Inc. has not received a single response from Mayor Mufi Hannemann regarding the closure of the public boat ramp at the Ko Olina Marina. I also might add that the mayor has not responded to our clear and irrefutable evidence regarding the questionable behavior of Department of Planning and Permitting (DPP) employees Barbara Moon and Eileen Mark, and its deputy director, David Tanoue, in regard to the issue at hand. The last communication we received was from Mr. Tanoue, informing us, in a letter dated May 10, 2005, that “in light of your remarks during our telephone conversation last evening of the possibility this matter may result in legal action against the department and/or city, our attorneys have advised me that any response to you will first need…

Carroll, Thanks for the article last month on the situation at Ko Olina. I do a lot of fishing on the windward side (Ka‘a’awa) but on occasion do fish on the Wai‘anae Coast, and I am sure that this is a hot subject for those on that side. Just wondering what the latest is on this and if you are in need of the community to band together to help rectify this matter. Seems to me that the state is involved once again in “under the table” dealings with certain special interest groups. Thanks for any kind of update that you may have and looking forward to more articles on this matter. Sincerely,Craig KahauolopuaKa‘a’awa. O‘ahu Carroll: I thoroughly enjoyed your article on the Ko Olina boat ramp issue and the…

■ I received a call from Jaime Pabalan, a Moloka‘i boy who is a police officer on O‘ahu. He asked me about taking some of his buddies out diving on Moloka‘i. Being that this is the “Friendly Isle,” I agreed to help him out and kokua for our boys in blue. It was a neat outing because two of the men also brought their sons along for this adventure. Actually, it was probably more for their sons’ sake that all this was planned. It was cool. I got to take them out in the deep water and participate in my first blue-water adventure. Of course, being the good host that I am, I stayed out of the water and drove the boat so the guys could jump in. The water…

Aloha Everyone! Recently we obtained a new used boat (25’ Force) and have been riding on cloud nine. We purchased it from Jon and have been blessed with it so far. You could see the look on Jon’s face he didn’t want to part with his boat but had no choice and graciously allowed me the chance to own his pride and joy! Jon is a good person and has made sure everything was good with the boat and that we were satisfied. Our maiden voyage on the new COLLEEN took place on February 22, 2005. My fishing buddy Bill Mobley and I set out with my new toy to see what she could raise. We headed out of the Wai‘anae Small Boat Harbor at around 7 a.m. and made…

■ Aloha to all HFN readers. I’ve got some good news and some bad news. Bad news first: after seven great years I am no longer the executive chef at Sam Choy’s Diamond Head Restaurant. The good news is that I’m opening a seafood market called Poke Stop at Waipahu Town Center next to Sizzler. I’ll be serving gourmet food at affordable prices. For more information, call (808) 676-8100 With all that said, I’ve had a lot of time on my hands to fish. And what I’ve noticed is that my hook is a magnet to kupipi, or mamo (damselfish), and the infamous hinalea (wrasse). I throw the hinalea back and keep the robust tasting damselfish. These fish are among the most abundant of reef fish. They feed on seaweed,…

■ The Atlapac Weighmaster’s Classic Tournament held from May 13 to 15, 2005, was a great success. The winning fish was Jay Ogata’s 45.4-lb white ulua. There was a wonderful turnout (the largest ever) and the location was ideal for the weigh-in (Ke‘ehi Lagoon Park). A family-oriented atmosphere dominated the event. All the Atlapac Fishing Club members should be recognized for making this a memorable and successful weekend outing for all involved. NOAA Fisheries Service manned a booth at the event and concentrated on spreading the message of responsible fishing to the local community. We provided fishermen with a packet that included barbless hooks (including instructions on how to make your own), literature on the value of using barbless hooks and how to make barbless hooks yourself, and suggestions on…

■ On May 12 to 15, 2005, S. Tokunaga Store held its 2005 Ulua Challenge on the Big Island. Participating in this event were a whopping 234 entrants from around the state. Of these 234 entrants, seven were women. Tokunaga Store kept the entry fees and an optional jackpot at an affordable cost. Each entrant was given the option of receiving an ulua tagging kit from the Department of Land and Natural Resources Aquatics Division. Promoting tagging of ulua was one reason that S. Tokunaga Store was so motivated in heading this tournament. This was a perfect way to get the tagging kits in the tackle boxes of fishermen. Another reason was to give anglers a chance to participate in an affordable tournament that emphasized camaraderie and having a good…

■ A serious porch fishing expedition was planned for the next night, but one small detail was overlooked-we were to be on Bora Bora the next night. We were fishing on board the RUAU II from Huahine to Bora on the fourth day of the expedition. Porch fishing was not going to be possible for lack of a porch. Therefore, it was forgotten as if it never happened. The trip from Huahine to Bora Bora was awesome. Luckily, the water was as flat as a sheet of glass. If you are big-game fishing and the big-game fish are not biting, then you are really only trolling. Trolling is something done best in calm water. Trolling and not catching big-game fish in rough water is no fun. According to my many…

Hawaii’s Black Tree Coral Divers and Their Tales From the Deep ■ Black coral diving is one of the most fascinating and dangerous jobs that there is. My Uncle Roland has been a black coral diver since 1966. One night on our porch on Moloka‘i, we had stayed up later than everyone else. He put down his beer, pulled out a guitar and sang me a beautiful country song. I asked him to tell me a story about what he does. He launched into a description of his work. My jaw dropped with horror at some of his stories, and I laughed at others. Seeing black coral jewelry, I had never realized the danger and stories behind each piece of this coral-Hawafi’s state gem. Not much has changed about diving…

■ Aloha HFN readers. We held our annual Memorial Day Tournament and, as usual, had good fun and caught some nice-sized fish. The winner of the tournament was Craig Yanagihara and crew on the PUKA HEAD. Their catch included the winning fish, a 168-lb ‘ahi, the second-place fish, a 115-lb marlin, and a small mahimahi, all caught during one day of the three-day tournament. The third-place fish was a 96-lb marlin caught by Scott Masunaga and his partner John Kurahara on the PRINCESS K. They also caught two mahimahi. Steve Whiting and crew on the NANCY O won the side jackpot. They caught two ono weighing 33 and 22 lbs. This was the first of our three annual tournaments. The next is our July 4 Old Futs vs. Young Punks…

Chuck, I’ve been reading HAWAII FISHING NEWS for many years and have owned a boat the past 15 or so years. I haven’t needed any towing assistance until recently and would like to share some of my experiences with your readers. I was towing my 17’ boat on the H-l viaduct when my steering wheel began jerking back and forth. Looking in my side mirror, I could see smoke coming off of the boat trailer. I immediately slowed and pulled off to the right shoulder. Inspection of the trailer revealed a broken axle just outside of the leaf spring. I called AAA and reported my problem, being careful to identify the problem as a boat trailer axle problem. Their contractor, Pacific Towing, appeared with their flatbed truck and informed me…

Lake Wilson Deja Vu ■ When I returned to Lake Wilson I chose to ignore fishing from a boat and to revisit some of my past tried-and-true bank fishing sites. Alas, I found a lot of changes-none good. The hallowed peninsula at the wastewater plant is not available any more, partially due to the water level. Also, apparently, the old entrances have been blocked, or fenced, to the point that there was no way that I could dip a line in the little bay to the left. In spite of the trespassing warnings, I still managed to get a view and saw that the tucunare were there. The overhang from the trees would make it difficult to get the necessary distance, but I am sure the boat guys have a…

For letters, with photos, received during July we’ll send you HFN’s New Ulua Hook® Embroidered cap logo design… our way of saying thanks for sharing your catch! … Hana pa a, Chuck Send to: P.O. Box 25488, Honolulu, Hawai‘i 96825 Hi Chuck: I’ve attached a couple of photos of a deepwater aweoweo (Cookeolus japonicus, Priacanthidae) that I caught off first finger Penguin Bank while we were doing bottomfish surveys for DLNR. We weighed it with a spring scale on the boat at 11.5 lbs but it sat on ice for nine days and got fish-printed a few times before Bo Alexander, who works with me, checked your website and found the record was only 10.5 lbs. When I got it officially weighed at Safeway Kane‘ohe seafood department, it was missing…

■ Once again, a meeting was scheduled at the home of Frank Farm, Alii Holo Kai (AHK) president. The meeting was held to discuss anything that was related to the subject of “Eliminations.” About two dozen energetic young men with the interest to compete in the sport of spear fishing were present to talk about the rules that were earlier printed in the AHK newsletter. Approximately 28 divers had signed up to dive in this meet, but only three men’s teams consisting of nine divers would be selected from the AHK Dive Club to represent the state of Hawai‘i in the 2005 U.S. National Spearfishing Championships held at Table Rock Lake, Kimberling City, Missouri. The nine individual divers who accumulated the highest amount of points in spearing fish were eligible…

1. Have fish weighed and measured in the presence of a witness who signs the official entry blank or other acceptable weight slip. 2. How to weigh: Fish must be weighed on an accurate scale which is subject to verification. 3. Howto measure: Measure from the tip of the jaw to middle of fork of tail (this is length). Measure around the fish where it is thickest (this is girth). 4. Entry should include clear side-view photograph of your fish. 5. You will be notified upon acceptance and verification. For an application, contact HFN at P.O. Box 25488, Honolulu, Hawaii 96825, E-mail fishnews@hawaii.rr.com, call (808)395-4499 ordownloaditat <www.hawaiifishingnews.com>.…

Maui Marine Science Cruises ■ High school students from around the state took a marine science cruise out of Lahaina on the NOAA research vessel HI‘IALAKAI. One hundred twenty students from Maui, Moloka‘i, Lana‘i and the Big Island teamed up with scientists on real-life research projects. Each island provided 30 students, and each island had a separate sailing date. The HI‘IALAKAI is one of three NOAA research vessels. It is the newest and is a converted Navy ship. It was bought with money from Sen. Dan Inouye, and its prime task is studying the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. The science cruise was put together by HI‘IALAKAI Capt. Scott Kuester, a former Maui-based Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary employee, and Patty Miller, a former state Department of Education Kid Science…

The Bally-Who? ■ Slim, silvery and tough, the ballyhoo swims well and attracts game fish of all kinds from blue marlin to bluefin trevally. Because of its fish appeal, versatility and durability, some fishermen consider Hawaii’s iheihe the perfect bait. To make the most of this great bait, however, you need to know how to rig it for all situations. The rig we feature this month has the extra strength needed to withstand a full day of wave skipping, bashing from offshore brutes and even the bait-ripping forces generated by casting and retrieving 1. Prep your bait by removing the eyes and poking a rigging hole through the skull with the point of a sharp hook. The bait is easier to rig and swims better with empty eye sockets. I…

■ The health of Hawaii’s fragile rivers, streams, estuaries, bays, wetlands and coastal marine resources is important to native species of fish, insects and other marine resources, yet the Department of Transportation ignores their fragile nature. The integrity of a majority of streams and rivers has been degraded by projects implemented by the state Department of Transportation. These projects, including the construction of bridges, the rechanneling of streams, and nonpoint source runoff from roads and highways, have contributed to the decline in habitat suitable for native invertebrates such as damselflies (Megalagrion leptodemas and Megalagrion hawaiiense) as well as feeding grounds for some of Hawai‘i’s most prized food fish. Now, the state Department of Transportation, Highways Division, is planning a series of construction projects along Kamehameha Highway, anticipated to begin in…

Dear Chuck, In keeping with tradition, a couple of days before Christmas 2004 I planned to go fishing with the hopes of catching something worthwhile to share with family and friends. I was thinking about all the parties that my family had been invited to and how nice it would be to bring some fresh fish to make poke and sashimi. However, a couple of things were standing in the way of fulfilling my plans. First, I called the marine forecast and it was calling for trade winds of 10 to 15 knots and seas of 6 to 8 feet-not exactly what I wanted considering that I had wanted to go out to BO-buoy to try to bait for some shibi with a 15-foot boat at night, but I still…

■ It was almost closing time on Sunday after a ‘very busy weekend on the pier at He‘eia-Kea when Kimo Yamashiro came running into The Deli. “Uncle, you have got to see the fish we caught, and can you take our picture? These girls are so excited.” No problem. Kimo will be a senior at the Air Force Academy, and he loves to fish. Kimo swims for the Academy on their swimming team. Even during his years at lolani School he would fish on the bay whenever he had time. With a month off, he took Erica Awana and Krystle Mendoza out fishing for the afternoon in his Livingston boat. Within an hour he had aboard three different species of papio and two very excited young ladies, one of whom…

■ The 28th Annual Molokai Whippas Invitational Fishing Tournament was held on May 7. More than 50 anglers took to the shores and reefs of Moloka‘i in search of fun and tall tales of the one that got away. There were lots and lots of stories to share at the tournament banquet that evening as the awards were presented. Who are the Molokai Whippas? The Whippas are a chartered faculty club of Molokai High School. The proceeds from the tournament are used to fund a $1,000 scholarship for a graduating senior. The club supports faculty workshops and training activities. Since it began, the club has awarded more than $13,000 in scholarships to students and teachers. The tournament is open to all Department of Education employees on Moloka‘i and their invited…

Aloha Chuck, Thank you for HFN’s support of our Keiki Fishing Club. Our 20 kids range in age from 5 to 12 years old. So far we’ve held four learning sessions and have had four fishing activities. In January, Brian Kimata, of Brian’s Fishing Supply, was kind enough to kick off this year’s session by sharing his knowledge of various pole-and-line fishing equipment and how it’s used. In February, Kirk Murakami, aquarist at the Waikiki Aquarium, taught the kids about the various fish they’ll likely be catching while handpoling and whipping. They learned common and Hawaiian names, where the fish live, what they eat and if they taste good. In April, Ben Wong and Neil Kanemoto showed the kids how to use different types of artificial bait and held a…

■ Persistent trade winds will be the dominant weather feature. July is fair weather month-on land. Over the waters expect gusty trades on six to 14 days of this month. Surf-wise, northwest wave activity is at a minimum with low surf heights of 0 to 5 feet at northern shores. Surf action along southern shores will peak in July and extend into September. Mariners are advised of the possible occurrence of two kinds of potentially hazardous weather: thunderstorms with heavy rain from an upper trough, and tropical cyclone invasions into Hawaii waters. July 1-Sunrise: 5:53 am, Sunset: 7:17 pm • July 15-Sunrise: 5:58 am, Sunset: 7:16 pm • July 31-Sunrise: 6:05 am, Sunset: 7:11 pm © Copyright Hawaii Fishing News 2004 Ali Rights Reserved.…