NAWILIWILI — Glenn Santos took yacht racing to the next level Sunday at the Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor. Normally a spectator with one of the camps at the Thursday races, Santos had his family on hand to participate in the
NAWILIWILI — Glenn Santos took yacht racing to the next level Sunday at the Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor.
Normally a spectator with one of the camps at the Thursday races, Santos had his family on hand to participate in the Nawiliwili Yacht Club’s 15th annual Father’s Day keiki fishing contest.
“Kaitlyn, our daughter, wanted to come, but had to work, so we have Kaylah and Kira Weaver,” said Glenn Santos. “So far, we caught a manta shrimp which is a cross between a shrimp and a lobster. They didn’t even know what it was at the weigh station.”
But Franklin Funtanilla knew because he had caught some.
“This is my first time here,” he said. “We had to go to church, first, but here we are.”
Unfortunately, Funtanilla said he didn’t realize he didn’t have enough time to stop off for fresh bait.
“That’s alright,” he said. “We’re going fishing after this, anyway. It’s a nice day for fishing.”
His words rang true across the Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor where a predominance of mamo and toau crossed the weighmaster’s ruler, activity picking up late with eels and a pair of big crabs, punctuated with the appearance of a mascot canine sporting a blue mohawk.
“That was exciting,” said Inana Lowry, 11, catching one of the first fish, a hinalea, in the two-hour fishing period. “I knew something was on, but I couldn’t pull it. Earlier, I knew fish were out there because I kept feeding them.”
Watching the excitement on the children’s faces is the reward the yacht club gets for hosting the event, said Bonnie Tiffany, fishing tournament chair.
“This is one way the NYC gives back to the community which we are a part of,” she said. “We love it.”
Dick Olsen, normally piloting Speedy in the shoreline series races, was busy behind the computer, tallying the catches of nearly 80 anglers at the weigh station.
“And, with just minutes left in the fishing period, there are more than 70 fish which came in,” he said. “Those are pretty good results. It means almost everyone who entered caught something.”
Anglers and their families were treated to helpings of yacht dawgs and cold soft drinks, a perfect end to a morning of fishing.
Tiffany said the event was a success thanks to the help of people in the community who provide myriad prizes for anglers.
Sponsors include Avon Rep. Ann Burton, Cost-U-Less, Costco Kauai, First Hawaiian Bank, Hanalei and Kapaa branches, The Fun Factory, Kalapaki Beach hut, Kim Chee No. 9 restaurant, K-Mart, Kauai Marine & Mower, Kauai Lagoons Golf Club, Lihue Fishing Supply, Marta’s Boat, Matson Navigation, Nina Peterson, the North Shore Fishing Tournament Committee, Pepsi Co., Pizza Hut and Taco Bell, Walmart, and Holo Holo Charters.
“We’re grateful for everything these sponsors do to help make this annual contest such a success for the keiki and their families,” Bonnie said. “They’re also part of the community we live in, and we appreciate them.”
Visit www.nawiliwiliyachtclub.org for more information.
