The 61st Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament is set to return to Kailua-Kona this summer, taking place Aug. 5-13 — with five days of fishing set for Monday Aug. 7 through Friday, Aug. 11.
This will be the first time since 2019 that the tourney has taken place.
Teams and anglers from around the world are expected to converge upon Kona to take part in marlin fishing aboard some of Kona’s top charter boats, all with the chance of winning the HIBT.
New Four Flag Tournament Added
Tournament officials are launching a new Four Flag Tournament set for Wednesday, Aug. 2 through Friday, Aug. 4.
The new HIBT Four Flag Tournament is a light tackle, 30 lb test line fishing tournament, focusing on four species of marlin, ahi, mahi mahi and ono.
Tournament participants are encouraged to select HIBT charter boats or their own local vessels. Local Hawaii game fishing clubs are all invited to participate.
For more information or to register for the new HIBT Four Flag Tournament, please email hibt@hawaii.rr.com.
For more information on the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, including complete team registration forms, IGFA world-record fishing rules and a look at previous tournament winners, log onto www.hibtfishing.com.
Henry Chee Award
Built on prestige, trophies and strict International Game Fish Association rules for big game fish world records — the HIBT established the Henry Chee Award in 1965 to recognize the charter boat captain accumulating the greatest number of billfish points during the tournament.
Captain Chee was a pioneer marlin captain. His vessel, Malia, was known as the “Grey Ghost of the Kona Coast.”
Throughout his lifetime, Captain Chee set an unprecedented number of game fish catch records which helped make his favorite fishing grounds, the Kona Coast, world famous. He continues to live on in the memories and legends of the charter fleet who now compete for this trophy named in his honor.