Written by Terry Shimabukuro, long time Hui Wa’a Kauakahi member and avid Oahu based kayak fisherman.
Thirty kayak fishermen and women paddled or peddled in the waters around Kualoa Regional Park competing over the weekend of September 24-25, 2022 in the 18th Hui Waʻa Kaukahi Kayak Fishing Papio Tournament. Many of the participants camped at the park for the weekend so that they could be on the water for the dawn patrol. In this unique tournament, fish must be caught from a human or wind-powered watercraft with the grand prize awarded for the biggest papio. Catch a jack over 10 pounds, well, that’s an ulua and your fish goes into the consolation biggest other fish category.
Hui Waʻa Kaukahi is Hawaii’s oldest recreational kayaking club. They started this tournament at the turn of the century as a social event with the Kaneohe Yacht Club. Over the years it grew along with the popularity of kayak fishing into a weekend competition open to the general public. While centered around a competition, the event promotes fellowship within the kayak fishing community and provides a wonderful beach camping experience with family and friends.
Steady trade winds in the 10 mph range generated some chop and white caps in deeper water on both days. That kept most of the kayakers nearshore, but a few of the hardy pelagic hunters ventured out early to find opelu and troll in deep water. This summer’s oama run supplied many with the best known bait for papio. Fishing began pre-dawn and contestants had to be back on the beach by 2:00 pm for a 3:00 pm weigh-in each day.
After a hard day of fishing, the anglers took full advantage of one of the best features of this event, the opportunity to talk story with anglers outside of their usual fishing group. There was plenty of time to look over other kayak setups, talk techniques and tackle, show off photos of past catches and, of course, tell the tales of the big ones that got away.
A variety of papio turned up at the weigh-ins. A paʻopaʻo (golden trevally), yellow spot (Island jack) and kagami (threadfin jack) were caught along with many omilu (bluefin trevally) and white papio (giant trevally). The nearshore anglers also caught several large ʻoʻio (bonefish) and a large ʻawaʻawa (ladyfish). The deep water hunters hauled in kahala (greater amberjack), kawakawa (little tuna), aku (skipjack tuna), shibi (yellowfin tuna), mahimahi (dolphinfish) and ulua aukea (giant trevally).
This year’s bragging rights for the biggest papio go to Alan Matsuo who reeled in an 8.5 pound omilu on Saturday. Clifton Twiggs made Alan squirm a bit at Sunday’s weigh-in with a nice size white that tipped the scale at just over 10 pounds. So close!
The tournament winners were (sorry, don’t have photos of all the winners):
First place – Alan Matsuo, 8 lb 8 oz omilu
Second place – Maynard Lazo, 7 lb 7 oz white
Third place – Grant Taura, 6 lb 1 oz white
Fourth place – Dustin Dasigo, 5 lb 2 oz omilu
Biggest other – Shane Kaniaupio, 35 lb, ulua aukea
The event was organized by Hui Waʻa Kaukahi member and Windward Boats Kayak Manager Stan McCrea with support from fellow club members Wilbert and Arlina Wong. Prizes were donated by Windward Boats, Campania Lures, West Marine Honolulu, Nanko Fishing Supply, Gyotaku by Naoki and Windward Paintball.
This tournament is held annually in September or October (pandemic years excepted). Look for the announcements next year and come join the fun!