Largest Trollers’ catch: 206.2-pound ahi
Leia DeMello lured her first big ahi, a 206.2-pounder, during the Hilo Trollers’ July tournament.
With nine boats entered, seven caught fish, but none were bigger than the one DeMello caught aboard the Honey Girl with captain Gil Kuali’i.
The largest ono was a 37.7-pounder landed on the Laurie Marie VI with captain Brian Catriz and crew. Captain Eric Baptiste and angler Pat Leslie on Easy Money caught the largest mahimahi (25.2), and Easy Money also landed the largest aku, which garnered the gift certificate donated by J. Hara Store.
S. Tokunaga Store gave the Laurie Marie VI a gift certificate for catching the first fish of the tournament.
The next tournament is Aug. 2, and it will run concurrently with the annual scholarship tournament sponsored by Hawaii Island Contractor’s Association, Bank of Hawaii and HPM Building Supply.
Entries in the Trollers tournament are available at S. Tokunaga Store, J. Hara Store and Boat House Hawaii, and they are due by 4 p.m. July 31.
Entry forms and tournament rules and regulations for the scholarship tournament may be downloaded and printed at www.HICAssociation.com or picked up at J. Hara Store Inc., S. Tokunaga Store, HPM Building Supply (Hilo and Keaau locations) and at the HICA office (494-C Kalanikoa St. in Hilo).
Deadline to turn in entry forms and fees is 5 p.m. July 31 at the HICA offic.
For more information, call the HICA office at 935-1316.
• HICA and its cosponsors recently awarded three $750 scholarships to second-year Hawaii Community College students Justin Ferreira, a diesel mechanics major and carpentry majors Ronald Dalare and Lehre Vidal.
Ohana shoreline tourney is Aug. 21-23
Questions about the 19th annual ‘Ohana Shoreline Fishing Tournament should be directed at 961-8740 or 962-2103. An old contact number provided by the Department of Parks and Recreation is out of service.
The tournament will be held Aug. 21-23, with weigh-ins being conducted from noon-1:30 p.m. Aug. 23 at Honokaa Gymnasium.
Completed registration forms must be turned into the department’s recreation Division office at 799 Piilani St. in Hilo or postmarked by July 31.
Forms, along with tournament rules, are recreation facilities islandwide or online at http://www.hawaiicounty.gov/parks-and-recreation
Divisions are offered for keiki (5-12), teens, men, women, kupuna (at least 55) and ‘ohana. There will also be a barbless circle hook challenge.
Entry fee is either $25 or $30 per person or family, depending on the division entered.
Checks payable to County Director of Finance.
Huggo’s Wahine fishing tourney
This year, Huggo’s Wahine Tournament celebrates 20 years, and will be held Saturday along the Kona Coast. The entry fee is $400 per team (includes four anglers, captain and crew) and entries are limited to the first 75 teams.
Entry forms may be picked up at Huggo’s Restaurant in Kona, at the Fuel Dock at Honokohau Harbor or online at huggos.com.
Interested teams, volunteers, and sponsors are encouraged to contact tournament firector Sue Vermillion at 329-2840.
HIBT on tap
The Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament will hold an opening ceremony at 5 p.m. Aug. 9 at Kailua Pier, with the official recognition of teams from around the world marking the start of the 56th annual event.
Kaahumanu Place, fronting the Kailua Pier, will close to vehicles Saturday and become a family-friendly event with food booths and food truck, craft vendors and free musical entertainment.
At the opening ceremony, the Hawaii County Band will welcome each country – Australia, China, Japan, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Vanuatu and the United States. Kona Daifukuji Taiko drummers will bring the ceremony to a close.
The first of five days of competition begins at 7:30 a.m. Monday.
• Volunteers are needed Aug. 6-16 for a variety of tournament support, including Kailua pier operations, pre- and post-tournament setup and breakdown, HIBT retail boutique, headquarters administration, security and more.
Positions will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Each volunteer will receive an HIBT T-shirt and discounted parking for shift volunteers in return for their time.
To volunteer, email hibt@hawaii.rr.com or call 329-6155.
