Start Fishing! The Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament Celebrates 60 Years

By Karen Rose

On August 21, 1959, statehood was granted to the territory of Hawai‘i, making it the 50th state in the union. Two days later, the first Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament (HIBT) was introduced to Kona. This year marked the 60th anniversary of HIBT, as anglers from around the world descended upon Kailua-Kona to continue the tradition of big marlin fishing. The 2019 Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament ran July 27–August 4.

Peter Fithian, founder of the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, moved to Kona in 1955 after serving as the general manager at the Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia. While managing the Kona Inn, he was inspired to create the HIBT tournament after noting the calm, near-shore deep water. Four years later plans started coming together.

“It was in 1959, just days after the territory of Hawai‘i became the 50th state, that a small group of local anglers assembled in my office at the Kona Inn to discuss launching a world-class sport fishing tournament,” said Peter. “Here we are, 60 years later, celebrating the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament’s Diamond Anniversary. Each year, the thrill of catching big marlin in these famous waters attracts great anglers to this tournament from around the world, and every year I’m so honored to welcome them to Kona, Hawai‘i.”

This year’s diamond anniversary celebration drew 41 teams, enthusiastically gathered from around the globe—including Japan, Costa Rica, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, South Africa, Lizard Island, Palau, France, and the US—and some of the finest boats, captains, and crews in Kona as well.

Welcoming is what Peter does best, as captains and crew in Kona gather to compete and maintain their commitment to sustainability and conservation. HIBT also bestows international recognition on fish conservation through their tag and release protocol, to encourage participants to uphold HIBTʻs commitment to sustainability.

HIBT is unique to Kona, as fishing here is a different experience from other locations around the world. Ocean depths plummet rapidly near the Kona coast, so there’s no need to go far offshore for great deep-water fishing. In the middle of the Pacific Ocean, the volcanic islands create natural feeding grounds for pelagic (open sea) species, especially blue marlin. Pacific blue marlins are plentiful in Kona, especially during the summer months when the tournament takes place.

When Peter and other anglers gathered 60 years ago, they were aware of Kona’s special fishing environment. Henry Chee, the legendary Kona fisherman and International Gamefish Association (IGFA) Hall of Fame recipient, was a part of this group. Not long after that meeting, the International Billfish Tournament was born. Today, Peter is humbled by the support and enthusiasm of the Kona community, sharing, “To the talented and hardworking captains and crews of Kona’s fishing fleet who work with us to showcase Kona’s fishing, thank you for being an integral part of the success of this tournament.”

In 2017, Peter Fithian was inducted into the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame. Through his experience and perseverance, Peter created a prestigious fishing tournament, drawing anglers from around the world who recognize Kona, Hawai‘i as one of the best places in the world to fish for Pacific blue marlin. This is Peter Fithian’s legacy.

“For 60 years, the Kona community has welcomed HIBT with love and aloha,” said Peter. “We are appreciative of the community’s support throughout the tournament’s history and we always look forward to bringing the best fisherman in the world to experience the thrill of catching big marlin in Kona’s famous waters. As the anglers travel home, each has a fishing tale that will long be remembered.”

Conservation is Key

Along with the fishing tales, HIBT is also known for its conservation efforts. Kona boasts some of the best fishing grounds, not only in Hawai‘i, but around the world. Tournament officials work hand-in-hand with the scientific community to collect data important for fish migration and spawning pattern studies.

In 1986, HIBT implemented a tag and release point system. More recently, in an attempt to preserve the big game species for future generations, teams do not receive points for boated Pacific blue marlin less than 300 pounds. However, teams can receive points for these billfish if they are tagged and released. In this type of competition, the winning team may be awarded a victory because one tag-and-release could determine the final score.

Lifelong resident of Hawai‘i, Captain Rick Gaffney is actively involved in the HIBT. Rick is proud of the tournament’s history and legacy. “Its long, proud, and fascinating history is what makes the tournament so special,” said Rick. “In 60 years, the HIBT has been fished by Hollywood celebrities, genuine royalty, leaders of industry from across the planet, amateur anglers from a whole host of countries and most of the world’s great fishing destinations. Kona is different from other fishing destinations in its ability to deliver big blue marlin every day of the year,” he continued. “The fishing grounds here are closer to shore, and calmer than in virtually any other fishing destination on earth, making the pursuit of big fish a comfortable undertaking. Kona also has a long history as a preeminent fishing destination. Charter fishing boats have plied our productive waters since the mid-1920s.”

Kona’s excellent reputation for sport fishing also caught the attention of famous author, the late Jim Rizzuto, when he noted, “Kona’s consistent billfish success sparked a worldwide revolution in big game fishing because these big fish were caught on lures pioneered and developed in Hawai‘i waters. Meanwhile, big game fishermen elsewhere had been saying you could catch billfish only with bait. Even those doubters caught the Kona wave and started catching marlin on Kona-style lures. Kona is also the perfect starting point for novices who have never caught a fish in their lives. It happens every day, 365 days a year. Newcomers are well served by a well-maintained fleet of top-of-the-line boats and expert captains.”

The top-notch captain and crews who work the HIBT do not go unnoticed by its founder, Peter Fithian, who heaps praise upon these experts in their field. “We certainly could not put on a tournament at this level alone,” he said. “To Kona’s finest fishing fleet, captains and crews, I salute you for the hard work and dedication that you continually put forth as we work together to support the Kona coast as a world-class big game fishing destination.”

The Diamond Anniversary Tournament

It began on Monday, July 29 at 8am. The sound of “Start fishing!” boomed for five mornings from a radio control at the Kailua pier. Teams stopped fishing at 4pm, with the exception of Wednesday, July 31, when fishing times changed to 7am to 3pm. Every team fished on a different boat each day. On Sunday, July 28, HIBT teams drew five Kona boats along with their designated captains and crews.

This world-famous tournament awards prestigious winnings and trophies. In fact, this year, the winning team was awarded an 18k diamond ring, in commemoration of the tournament’s diamond anniversary. The ring is produced and supported by Kolin International in Japan and was presented to the anglers of the Laguna Niguel Billfish Club (USA); other winners were the Olympian Dream Fishing Club (Japan) and the Denarau Game & Sportsfishing Club-Team Flying Fijians (Fiji) who tied for second place, and the Kona Gamefish Club-Blue Fin (Japan) in third place.

Other top awards included the Governor’s Trophy, awarded to the HIBT team scoring the highest number of billfish points in the tournament; the Duke Kahanamoku Award, given to the angler boating the heaviest qualifying billfish; the George S. Parker Award, given to the angler and captain boating a marlin over 1,000 pounds; the Henry Chee Award, awarded to the captain and crew member of the charter boat scoring the highest number of billfish points; and the Richard Boone Award, given to the captain and crew member of the charter boat receiving the highest scores from HIBT teams during the week.

The Kailua pier during tournament week is an exciting place to hang out and watch all the action. At 4pm, the fishing stops and boats come in and out of Kailua pier, flying flags of either boated or tag-and-released catches. It’s a legendary experience only available in Kailua-Kona, and one not to be missed.

The Future of HIBT

It’s easy to see why the Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament is a one-of-a-kind competition. Organizers hope that the HIBT will continue to showcase Kona’s fishing to the international community for another six decades and encourage a new generation of anglers to take up sport fishing.

“The next generation angler will be a fisherman of means,” said Captain Rick Gaffney. “Someone who becomes addicted to fishing at an early age and has moved on from just wanting to catch any fish, to wanting to catch a great fish on a world stage. The HIBT has offered up that opportunity for 60 years.” ❖

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FINAL HIBT 60th STANDINGS

TEAM STANDINGS Laguna Niguel Billfish Club-Firestein, USA Olympian Dream Fishing Club, Japan Denarau Game & Sportsfishing Club-Team Flying Fijians Kona Gamefish Club-Blue Fin, Japan Ohana Marlin Club, Japan Houston Big Game Fishing Club-Team Filo Pamela Basco Pajaro Valley Gamefish Club-Team 1, USA Hawke’s Bay Game Fishing Club-The Odd Fellows, New Zealand Lizard Island Game Fishing Club, Australia

POINTS* 1600 1450 1450 1400 1250 1250 1250 1200 1200

BOAT STANDINGS 2nd Offense Northern Lights II Foxy Lady EZ Pickens Benchmark JR’s Hooker Humdinger Waiopai Night Runner

CAPTAIN Kevin Hibbard Kevin Nakamaru Boyd DeCoito Chuck Wigzell Chris Donato Jean Nogues Jeff Fay Kai Hoover Jim Wigzell

POINTS* 1800 1774.5 1600 1550 1550 1496.2 1350 1200 1100

*Points include bonus

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For more information: HIBTfishing.com

Photos courtesy of HIBT