Hawai’i Fishing Fanatic

Posts Tagged ‘ulua fishing’

In the next three months, I’m hoping to get the word out on gubernatorial candidate, Neil Abercrombie, not only because I’m a big supporter but because as a local fisherman, surfer, paddler, kayaker and environmentalist, I believe he is the best choice to support many of our causes & issues. I know that every candidate can’t be perfect, but taking a look at the other candidates, I feel a sense of despair and that our voices may get lost by the others. I’ve heard his solutions to island problems that we have had for decades and have been impressed by his courage to take on these issues. Take a look at his congressional record on the environment and tell me if you think otherwise.

ENVIRONMENT

In June 1992, Neil Abercrombie and his colleague, the late Rep. Patsy Mink, introduced legislation to preserve a 1400 square mile area in the shallow waters off Kauai, Oahu, Maui, Molokai, and the Big Island as a National Marine Sanctuary to protect the endangered humpback whale. In November 1992, the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary was officially designated, and has become one of 13 sanctuaries in the National Marine Sanctuary System, created under the U.S. Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act. Nearly two-°©‐thirds of the North Pacific humpback whale population migrates to Hawaii each winter.

Abercrombie has always believed that Hawaii is defined by a special bond with all the other species on the planet and a profound respect for their right to exist in harmony with the land. His role on the House Committee on Natural Resources has provided the opportunity to be in the forefront of protecting and preserving our natural treasures: the land, the oceans and the creatures in them. He was instrumental in legislation to expand Pu’uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park on the Big Island. He introduced and passed the measure creating the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge Expansion on the North Shore of Oahu, and in the 2010 Appropriations Bill for the Department of Interior, was able to help target $7.4M to complete the purchase of the refuge land.

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In the Army’s Compatible Use Buffer program, the Congressman found funding to conserve large tracts of valuable land on Oahu in Waimea, Moanalua Valley, and Pupukea and Paumalu. He also secured House support and passage for legislation and funding for the National Tropical Botanical Garden to continue its operations on Kauai, Maui, and the Big Island, preserving Hawaii’s tropical plant diversity and stemming the tide of extinction.

His concern about the effects of human-°©‐related activity on our marine mammals, led Abercrombie to establish a comprehensive research program, focusing on the use of Sound Navigation and Ranging (Sonar) equipment by the U.S. Navy. Sonar’s powerful sound beams can damage the sensitive hearing of marine mammals — primarily whales and dolphins— and may have even caused some deaths. He has also targeted Department of Defense funds to mitigate the effects of Navy training exercises in the marine environment by updating naval technology to avoid harming marine mammals. Additionally, he authored and introduced legislation to better understand and protect our marine mammals such as the beloved Hawaiian Monk Seal and Humpback Whales in the National Marine Mammal Research Program Act. Finally, Abercrombie also introduced and passed the legislation to ban the practice of shark finning in U.S. waters.

Abercrombie also believes that widespread preventive measures and aggressive response to outbreaks are essential to protect Hawaii’s native species and natural ecosystems from alien and invasive species. In 2004, he requested a hearing in 5 Hawaii by the House Committee on Natural Resources to explore serious invasive species problems in the Hawaiian archipelago. The hearing enabled the Committee, including Rep. Abercrombie, to analyze Hawaii’s efforts and identify areas in which the federal government could assist in the fight against invasive species. He has also helped obtain federal funding to prevent the spread of invasive species and assisted in House passage of legislation to stop the spread and begin the eradication of Guam’s brown tree snake.

As an island state, Hawaii’s most precious resource is clean potable water. In 2005, Abercrombie introduced and won House passage of the Hawaii Water Resources Act to authorize projects: in Kalaeloa, Kealakehe and Lahaina to ensure Hawaii residents have adequate potable water supplies.

However, water can also be a destructive force in the islands. Following the Ka Loko Dam break on the island of Kauai, the Congressman worked to secure passage of the Dam Safety Act, which requires an updated inventory and assessment of dams in the United States. He also supported increased funding for these goals.

You can also decide for yourself, if he’s your candidate, in this recent interview with Sherry Bracken in Kailua-Kona, HI, he speaks on different island issues that are of paramount concern to all of us. The full interview with Part 2 can be found on the AFG2010 Blog by Neenz.

Neil Abercrombie Interview Part 1 from Apachewolf on Vimeo.

I’ll remind you from time to time, but make sure to register to VOTE and make sure to VOTE,  Abercrombie for Governor!

As a volunteer for Neil Abercrombie’s gubernatorial bid, I often get asked, what his feelings are about the deterioration of Hawai’i’s harbors, it’s facilities, and the public’s distrust with state agencies such as the Department of Transportation’s Harbors Division and the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

I know from my time with the campaign, that Neil Abercrombie shares a deep concern for the public that utilize Hawai’i’s state facilities for business and leisure activities. He has visited many different areas of our state and most recently, visited the Honokohau area in Kailua-Kona, Hawai’i (Big Island). He shared his thoughts and feelings on what is fast-becoming a formidable issue on the current state of affairs with our harbors and state facilities. You can see his whole transcript at NeilAbercrombie.com:

Honokohau Harbor

by Neil Abercrombie

On a recent visit to Honokohau Harbor, I was appalled, like many residents and small business owners, to see how we’ve let the harbor deteriorate. To make matters worse, I was disappointed to hear about the state’s proposal to raise the parking fees at Honokohau Harbor.

How can we create an additional financial burden for 200 small businesses by raising their parking fees? And how can we expect to charge visitors more money to visit a dangerous and dilapidated harbor with a collapsed pier in a public area that doesn’t provide basic comforts like shade while waiting for boats? The state is only now getting around to a minor capital improvement project that doesn’t address the basic issues.

There has been a collapse of leadership at the highest levels on basic government services from improving our public schools to maintaining our harbors. Raising the parking fees at Honokohau Harbor does not solve the problem. My position is that the parking fees should be set aside. Should they be imposed, when I’m Governor, I will rescind the fee increase until we can prove to the public that their dollars are being well spent.

We should be focusing our efforts on getting federal funds to improve our state’s infrastructure. That will spark revitalization of our economy and generate the business activity that we need. People deserve to feel proud of our harbors and public spaces.

More pictures of the Honokohau visit are on the Big Island for Abercrombie Facebook Page. Mahalo to Abercrombie for Governor supporter, Jean Bevanmarquez. for the additional photos.

Well, we got a lifetime of memories and an adventure to share for a long time to come. We weren’t able to rustle up any ulua on this fishing trip but maybe the next time. Packed up at around 9am and we were on our way home by 10am. We both were pooped out and I headed to sleep soon after the GT Masters Weigh-In & Awards Ceremony (I just woke up at 11p and I am writing this post at a little after midnight to update everyone).

Boy! What an adventure this was! I’ll do it again but I’ll let our pictures speak for themselves. Also, I hope everyone enjoyed the mobile posts (sorry for any screw-ups) via this blog and Facebook fan page from Ka’ena Point.

Congratulations to all the winners in the GT Masters Cup 2010. Ho’omaika’i also goes out to Evan Abraham, who had the winning ulua at 56.4 lbs. (I’ll post GTM results as soon as I can, but gotta go back to bed now).

Big mahalos goes out to my fishing partners, Willy & Sherwin, our families (Aweau, Elisaga & Felipe ‘ohana), our friends (a special mahalo to BJ and Kevin for coming out!) and supporters for making our first shoreline fishing tournament together possible! But, we’re letting everyone know that it won’t be our last and we’ll get ‘um the next tournament! Mahalo a Nui Loa!

Pounding for ulua, 'o'io and 'omilu

Our GT Masters 2010 Campsite

Rigging time!

Mahalo Bruddahs for coming out!

Bruddah Willy can throw!

Mr. Pole Benda Waiting Period

Early sunrise and a hard night of pounding for ulua

We get 'um next time!

Rough night! No hanapa’a! As we continue our quest to catch us some i’a (fish) for the tournament. Spirits are somewhat tempered with adrenalin now subsiding, we approach the new day with skepticism due to the reports that big surf is on its way (but we’re in a safe spot and very safety conscious) and still windier than heck (15-25 mph winds). The kind that feels like it smacks your face just before it hurts. Even more, our fishing poles, reels, etc., are all encrusted with Hawaiian pa’akai (sea salt) and we got limu (seaweed), laundry-style on our lines in the water. Auwe!

Drank water and downed a cup of warm instant coffee. Still waiting on brunch though from our friend, Brock. Hmmm getting a little hungry! Caught a bunch of small baitfish while my friend, Willy, works his ulua (giant trevally) poles. However, he’s getting small-kine frustrated because it seems like most of the limu gets on his line while mine are limu-free! His new nickname is, Limu Man! LOL!

We heard everyone had a hard night too and no fishing action. In fact, one of our fishing partners, Sherwin, left for the eastside. We decided to stay and take our chances at Ka’ena.

So we need everyones prayers to help us out to get a Big One for our keikis! That’ll be much appreciated!

Aloha!

OK, so it took awhile to get ready and hit the road. But we were able to finally set up our camp and eventually throw out our ulua poles. Ate our Zippy’s Zip Pac and now enjoying the sound of surf at Ka’ena Point. I’m posting while we wait to hopefully soon hear the sound of ulua bells going off!

Many of you know that I am a big supporter of Neil Abercrombie and during the next few days, the Democratic candidate for governor, former congressman and state legislator will be on the Big Island. He plans to visit several Big Island communities on March 20, 21, 23, and 24 to meet community members and obtain firsthand information on major issues and challenges facing the island residents. I’ll update you folks on other Big Island events as soon as possible.

If you should have any fishing-related or recent (Department of Land and Natural Resources) DLNR issues, please be sure to attend the nearest event and voice your concern/s. The following schedule of his Big Island activities are from the Abercrombie for Governor and Hawaii County Democrats offices:

Saturday, March 20
8 a.m.: Visit to the swap meet in Ocean View
8:45 a.m.: Pancake breakfast at HOVE Community Center.
10 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Visits to businesses and the Farmers’ Market in Na’alehu.
1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.: Pot-luck luncheon and panel discussion on issues facing Ka’u residents at the Plantation House in Pahala.
4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.: Visits to businesses and merchants in Na’alehu.
5:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.: Spaghetti dinner at the Na’alehu Community Center

Sunday, March 21
8 a.m.-9:30 a.m.: No-host breakfast at the Paniolo Restaurant in Waimea
10:00-TBA: Local events and community meetings at the Honoka’a Park Gym and the North Hawai’i Educational Resource Center. (For information, contact Gil Kahele at 987-7958.)

Tuesday, March 23
12:00 p.m.-1:30 p.m.: Mauka Rotary Club Luncheon at Teshima’s Restaurant in Kainaliu.
2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.: Visits to local businesses and merchants in South Kona.
4:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.: Talk story at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu, focusing on issues important to the South Kona community, including charter schools, food sustainability, and controlling little fire ants. Abercrombie will give opening remarks and will respond to the briefings presented by experts in these areas. The audience will also have an opportunity for one-on-one discussions with the candidate.

Wednesday, March 24
6:45 a.m.-8:00 a.m.: Kona Sunrise Rotary Club Breakfast Meeting at Tante’s Restaurant on Ali’i Drive in Kailua Town.
9:00 a.m.-10:30 a.m.: Visits to businesses and merchants on Ali’i Drive and other business districts in Kailua-Kona.
11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.: North Kohala Rotary Club Luncheon Meeting at Thiebault’s Restaurant in Waimea.
2:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m.: Visits to businesses located in Waikoloa Village Town Center.

If you are an Abercrombie for Governor 2010 supporter willing to cover the events on Twitter, Facebook or to blog about the Big Island events, please email me (hawaiifishingfanatic@gmail.com) or hit any of the Abercrombie links on Hawaii Fishing Fanatic for contact information.

In the subsequent months, I hope to give you a better picture of Neil Abercrombie and where he stands on fishing, environmental, outdoor and aquatic-related issues.

Mahalo to you all and have a great weekend!!!

Okay, if you’re like me wondering what’s going on and confused heading into the New Year about the National Saltwater Angler Registry (NSAR), don’t fret, other fishermen in the U.S. are having the same problem. Hawai’i is currently one of several states (Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Virginia and the U.S. Virgin Islands) that is required to have their fishermen register to fish because we do not have a comprehensive recreational saltwater license or registration program. NOAA has a site specifically to register and answer questions about the NSAR called the NOAA Marine Recreational Information Program.

There are pros and cons to having a national saltwater angler registry but I’ll defer on this while I wait and see what the Feds have in store for the data. Intrusive information that reminds me a little bit of the film, “Red Dawn,” where the Cuban leader ordered his men to gather information about the Boy Scouts (Remember? Said to be a paramilitary organization). I know, it might be a stretch and may never be used for dubious purposes, but too much identity theft and government security breaches going on that it makes me wary.

I always thought Hawai’i would be immune to this kind of licensing because of our long fishing tradition but it looks like the State of Hawai’i never implemented a program to keep or gather hard data for NOAA’s use. Read what other states in the same boat as Hawai’i are reporting:

New Jersey

Rhode Island

Virginia

Maryland

Massachusetts

Here’s an article from North Carolina that states that anglers don’t have to register because they have a program that NOAA can use to mine data:

North Carolina

Check out Hawai’i Fishing News and DLNR for other information.

Anyway, it’s free to register in 2010 but may have a fee attached later. So make your assessment and leave a comment. Maybe our government leaders in Hawai’i will make the right decisions regarding our recreational fishing interests. Do I hear, vote Abercrombie For Governor? You decide!

J. Hara Store's Ulua Collection

J. Hara Store Kurtistown, Hawai’i (Big Island)

Well, it didn’t take too long and believe me this is due to all the trials and errors I’ve encountered since starting this blog. LOL! But seriously, the RSS feed for ulua fishing equipment is online. Check out the right sidebar. It’ll show the most recent posts, so if you want to see more do the manual search in the last post. Aloha no!