NAWILIWILI — Elias Ancheta livened the action at the Nawiliwili Yacht Club’s Annual Father’s Day Keiki Fishing Contest Sunday, near the NYC Clubhouse at the Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor. Ancheta, whose brother Elliott opened the action with a perch just
NAWILIWILI — Elias Ancheta livened the action at the Nawiliwili Yacht Club’s Annual Father’s Day Keiki Fishing Contest Sunday, near the NYC Clubhouse at the Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor.
Ancheta, whose brother Elliott opened the action with a perch just minutes following the 10:30 a.m. start of registration, came up with an eel measuring 62 inches with a girth of 15 inches for a combined size of 77 (length plus girth), the eel deciding to liven up the action by slithering out of its Home Depot bucket igniting squeals and screams from the officials table.
The 77 score earned Elias the Biggest (and Slimiest) fish of the tournament where more than 60 young anglers and their dads each caught a helping of hot dog and drink, just for entering the contest.
Elias was joined by his brother Elliott who had the honor of catching the first fish, adding to the perch submission with a papio during the fishing period.
Bill and Sea Peterson and Dick Olsen were kept busy along with photographer Rich Jensen as catch after catch came in for measuring and release, some of the heftier catches being taken home for a meal, Tony LeHoven adding flavor to the event with his microphone skills.
By hook, by crook and “Why I No Catch Nuthin” were the three categories of judging, most, if not all, the anglers being able to leave with prizes due to the generosity of sponsors, said Sharon Gibson, who turned in her scorekeeper’s board for being the prize manager.
Tyler Tumpap came up with a pair of mamo, an aholehole and a papio which hopped away for the most fish caught and the hoppiest award. Tanner Saucier of Arizona ending with the Next Biggest Fish award for a palani which measured 29 inches by 34 inches for a total score of 63.
Calvin Corpuz Jr. and Maileni Yamamoto ended in a tie for Longest Fish, Kaylah Santos snagged a ta‘ape for Fattest Fish, Taynan Tani got the Next Fattest Fish, Malie Miyazaki was the Cutest, Nichole Mushige the Ugliest, Ezra Akamine the Fanciest, and Josiah Farias the Prettiest.
Kekoa Bacarro had the Fastest, Ona Lowry the Sweetest, Koy Tsukayama the Calmest, Ty Tsukayama the Laziest, Kaimi Malina the Biggest Eyed, Matthew Tamanaha the Flashiest and Metissa Matsushige the Happiest fish.
Taira Samiano-Olivera had the Most Stubborn, Tapa Andrade the Most Unusual, Khyler Cabebe the Reclining Fish, Maika Bandman the Black-eyed Fish, Kamekona Thompson the Shiest Fish and Blake Antonio the Prettiest Eyed Fish.
Connor Payomo wowed the anglers waiting in the judges line when he copped the Biggest Crab award for his snag which filled the net at 19 cm in the by crook category.
Kahanu Weaver had the Biggest Guppy, Inana Lowry had the Second Biggest Crab, her catch deciding it wanted to play tag with a visiting canine by hopping out of its soft drink cup.
Lucas Rivera had the Most Shrimp and Crab, Keanu Perreira-Inouye had the Most Guppies, Aleya Stearns the First Family of Crabs, Alika Huddy the Busiest Baby Mullets, Sadie Stearns the Happiest Crab and William Levinson the Stripiest Crab.
Kekapuloa Thompson topped the “Why I No Catch Nuthin” category followed by Makena Tamanaka and Kolten Gusman with other submissions by Cade, Rhett, Eten, James, Dillan, Ella, Nathaniel and Nevaeh.
Doug and Bonnie Tiffany and their daughter Abi Steans and Rafael Yasis manned the hot dog grill while JoAnn and Bill Georgi were joined by Glenn Hontz, MaryAnn Holden and Virginia Dunas at the registration table.
Dr. Nick Leonard stood by as the First Aid Attendant and other NYC members Doug Gibson, Phil Tanner, John Bollinger, Randy Honjo, Marcie Millett, Jim and Paula Saylor and Susan LeHoven joining the volunteer corps.
Sharon Gibson said the NYC is truly appreciative of the sponsors who make it possible for all the keiki anglers to have the kind of fun they have at this annual Father s Day event.
Sponsors include A&B Properties, Cost-U-Less, Costco, First Hawaiian Bank, Hanalei, Kapa a, Koloa branches, Fun Factory, Hawai‘i Fishing News, Holo Holo Charters, Kalapaki Beach Hut, Kim Chee No. 9, K-mart, K-mart Little Caesars, Koa Trading Co. who donated all the hot dogs, Lihu‘e Fishing Supply, Matson Navigation, Nina Peterson, Pepsi Co., Pizza Hut and Taco Bell and Walmart.
The next event on the NYC calendar is the final race of the Junior Invitational Series, Thursday.
The public is invited to view the race from the Nawiliwili Harbor jetty wall area when the first flags fly at 5 p.m.
Visit www.nawiliwiliyachtclub.org for more information.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
