If the 2023 schedule of events at the Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club is any indication, it looks like things are well and truly back to “normal” this year. Whatever “normal” is.
The calendar is starting to fill with the HBGFC hosting fundraising events for other nonprofits early in the year. Afterward, during the summer season, the “major” tournaments run almost back to back throughout June and July, tapering off as fall approaches.
Even fishing requires paper work, so first things first. The HBGFC Annual Meeting and Members Social will be held Feb. 11 to formally prepare the club for the year ahead. At the first meeting held each year, members gather to talk story, enjoy food and drink while keiki are entertained by various games and prizes. This is the time for members — old and new — to exchange ideas on what they would like to see the club undertake in the year ahead. Eventually, the president will call for an election of new officers and directors to implement the ideas discussed.
As an example, at the last annual meeting the idea of developing of a scholarship program for graduating Senior of West Hawaii Explorations Academy (WHEA) was floated. In December 2022, a check was delivered from HBGFC to the Explorations Foundation, the nonprofit arm of WHEA in the amount of $5,000. The scholarship fund is to be awarded in two $2,500.00 amounts to seniors off to college and studying marine-related curriculum.
New members are welcome to attend the meeting and interested folks can find membership info at the club website: https://www.hbgfc.org
Starting March 11, the fun begins. John Lim Jr. and friends will be bringing back the Keiki Come First Tournament. Aimed at youth of all ages, kids fish from boats but mostly target inshore and reef species. Keiki have fun catching just about anything and it’s a great way to expose them to the wonders of the ocean. Entry forms will be available at the Bite Me logo store in Honokohau Harbor in February. To sponsor or donate prizes for the kids, contact Lim on his cell phone at (808) 937-0564.
The eight-event Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series kicks off March 16 with the Lazy Marlin Hunt. A three-day competition, the Lazy Marlin targets the giant marlin that come to Kona in an annual spring run. Last year, wahine angler Kathleen Kasparek Wyatt landed the largest marlin of the tourney — a true giant coming in at 943.5 pounds. Team Sea Genie II held on to the lead in the HMT Series all the way up til the last hour of the last day of the final, It’s a Wrap tournament, only succumbing to the Bwana in the bitter end.
Hospice of Kona Foundation returns to the HBGF Club house on April 1 with its annual Love to Fish tournament. This is also a very popular fundraiser, providing needed financial support for the important work hospice does throughout the community. For more information on this fine event, contact Tawna Iaela, Director of Events, Hospice of Kona Foundation at (808) 210-5461.
On June 2 and 3 the Hanapa’a for HUGS of Hawaii returns to the HBGFC facility. HUGS Hawaii provides support for families with a child up to 21 years of age diagnosed with a life threatening illness or disease.
The mission of HUGS Hawaii is: To strengthen Hawaii’s families and improve their quality of life as they face the emotional and financial hardships of caring for a seriously ill child. According to their website; “When your child is diagnosed with having a terminal illness, sometimes the only thing even a doctor can do is give you a hug,” said Pleaman Shaver. Look for Hanapa’a for HUGS tournament entry information at Umeke’s Fish Market Bar and Grill as the event date approaches.
The Hawaii Big Game Fishing Club will host the annual Rock N Reel Hawaiian Open in memory of Capt. Neal Isaacs on June 10 and 11. This is the first event of the season for the “major” tournaments that Kona is famous for.
Capt. Neal, along with the Hudnall family, kept the Hawaii Big Game Fishing alive during and after the Great Recession up until 2019. Shortly thereafter, Capt. Neal passed away and remains a sorely missed, but well-respected senior statesman throughout the fishing community.
The Rock n Reel is a Four Flags event with cash purse and prizes for ahi, mahi, ono and marlin. For more information, log on to the Club website at: https://www.hbgfc.org
Next up is the Kona Kick Off, which is the second event of the HMT Series. The Kick Off is also a Four Flags event but after this tourney, Series anglers get serious and primarily target marlin — the bigger the better.
The HMT Series is currently supporting a science project researching the importance of the Kona eddy system as the most important spawning ground for marlin in the North Pacific Ocean. This research is being conducted by Dr. Mike Musyl PhD through the oversight of the 501(c)3 nonprofit Wild Oceans, along with partner, the IGFA.
The Phase One meta-study has assembled access to some 5,423 larval billfish samples so far. Of the many interesting “discoveries” to date is that broadbill swordfish spawn extensively in Kona waters, yet very few are ever caught here. Kinda makes you go “Hmmm.…” For more information on the Kona Project, log on: https://wildoceans.org/kona_project
Things get real serious after the Kick Off with the Marlin Magic Lure tournament and the remaining six events of the Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series. The HMT Series generated a total available purse of right around $2.5 million last year, so we will overview remaining tournaments in another episode of the Bright Side.
Hau’oli Makahiki Hou!
