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| The winning catch at the Ulua Challenge was 86.2 lbs. pulled in by Brandon Rainey. Photo by Dave Corigan/Big Island Video News |
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| Ulua Challenge photo from Tokigawa Store. |
THE RESULTS ARE IN FOR THE ULUA CHALLENGE 2017, with the winning ulua - giant trevally - weighing 86.2 lbs., caught by Brandon Rainey.
Fishermen camped and used their sturdy poles from the cliffs of South Point and all along the Ka`u to the Puna shore for the annual competition that ended Sunday morning.
Tokunaga Store owner and sponsor Mike Tokunaga told Big Island Video News that this year's tournament drew the most participants with hundreds participating along the rugged coastline.
In second place was an ulua 82.5 lbs. caught by Sean Farias. Third was 82.2 lbs. by Reuben Llanes, fourth was 75.9 lbs. by Bristan Savella. Fifth was 72 lbs. by Mel Hirayama. Sixth was 69.7 lbs. by Barry Sugimoto. Seventh was 69.2 lbs .by Waymne Cypriano. Eighth was 68.9 lbs. by Tyson Martinez. Ninth was 67.6 lbs. by Kelson Kihe and tenth was 66.1 lbs. by Kahana Ituaki.
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| Ulua Challenge Queen Cherokee Luker at the weigh in, following a weekend of fishing for the giant fish along the coast, particularly along the 80 miles of remote shoreline in Ka`u. Photo by Big Island Video News |
In the Omilo - bluefin trevally division, first was 20.4 lbs., caught by Harry Batalona. Second was 20 lbs. by David Llanes, third was 19.8 lbs. by Chat Kasonski, fourth was 19 lbs. by Joel Baptista, fifth was 18.7 lbs. by Ransen Fernandez. Sixth was 18.4 lbs. by H. Correa. seventh was 17.2 lbs. by Adrian Medallia. Eighth was 16.4 lbs. by Zyman Barawis. Ninth was 16.1 lbs. by Chris Llanes and tenth was 16.1 lbs. by Tommy Kasoga.
THE 48TH ANNUAL KING KAMEHAMEHA LEI DRAPING ceremony took place today in Washington, D.C. today with Ka`u's Senator Mazie Hirono and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard on Hand.
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| King Kamehameha's legacy was one of unity and servant leadership, said Gabbard. |
Gabbard spoke at the Emancipation Hall celebration, which honors King Kamehameha’s legacy of uniting the islands and establishing the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi in 1810. The 48th Annual Lei Draping Ceremony, hosted by the Hawaiʻi State Society, is held each June at the U.S. Capitol to coincide with King Kamehameha Day celebrations taking place throughout Hawaiʻi. Hundreds of people attended, including Kauaʻi Mayor Bernard Carvalho, Hawaiʻi State Senate President Ron Kouchi, Office of Hawaiian Affairs Vice-Chair Dan Ahuna, and other state and local elected officials, and included performances by hula halaus from Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, DC.
Said Gabbard, “King Kamehameha’s legacy is one of unity and servant leadership. He brought people together in the face of great division, uniting the islands of Hawaiʻi for the first time. King Kamehameha was a leader ahead of his time who understood that true unity, in the end, could not be achieved at the tips of spears or by the muzzles of guns, but through dialogue, mutual respect, and working to understand common goals between people.”
“What we learn from leaders like King Kamehameha is that we are at our best when we confront challenges together—when we set aside differences and unite. King Kamehameha was able to unify the islands of Hawaiʻi, not by creating a system that benefited a few, but by empowering many. These values still need to be protected and upheld today so that those who work hard have opportunities to succeed; that education and health care are not just for the privileged; that we serve as caretakers of our land and water for future generations; and that we treat others with aloha, love, and respect.”
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| Rep. Tulsi Gabbard and Sen. Mazie Hirono at Emancipation Hall today. Photo from Office of Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. |
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Managing Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death at Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park, Tue, June 13, 7 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center Auditorium in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Ecologist David Benitez shares lessons learned since ROD was first identified in 2014 and discusses management of ROD within and beyond park boundaries. Free; park entrance fees apply.
Lei Hulu (Feather Lei Making) Demo, Wed, June 14, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., Kīlauea Visitor Center lānai in Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park. Kilohana Domingo demonstrates his mastery of this Hawaiian art form. Free; park entrance fees apply.
Hawai‘i Cordage Plants, Thu, June 15, 10 – 11:30 a.m., Volcano Art Center in Volcano Village. Linda Pratt discussed the botanical aspects, distribution and habitat of various species. Register at 967-8222. Free; register at 967-8222.
Family Reading Night, Thu, June 15, 5 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033
Hawaiian Civic Club of Ka‘ū, Thu, June 15, 5:30 p.m. 929-9731 or 936-7262
OVCA Board Meeting, Thu, June 15, 6 p.m., Ocean View Community Center. 939-7033
