The 11th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament Rocks at Punalu‘u
By Karen Valentine
Not long after sunrise at Punalu‘u Black Sand Beach, light sparkles on the waves, tipping the bright blue sea as it splashes on the black rocks lining each tide pool. The parking lot is already filled with cars parked next to the pavilions. This special day’s scene begins with some 370 keiki (youth) lined up to register for the annual Keiki Fishing Tournament. More than that many long bamboo poles are lined up, each one fitted with a line and a barbless hook at the end.
More than 100 volunteers with the nonprofit organization ‘O Ka‘ū Kākou (OKK) worked weeks before and long into the night to get this day ready. They are part of a well-organized and passionate group committed to this community event, as well as much more.
Later in the morning, visitors will see the long and picturesque Ka‘ū coastline dotted with the keiki and their poles, each hoping to catch the most or biggest fish in four different varieties. A bright orange bucket sits at each fisher’s side, often watched over by a parent trying not too hard to help them.
Practicing a tradition that Hawaiians here have had since their ancestors arrived on these shores, each keiki is learning the varieties of fish and where to find them. There was once a thriving fishing village at Punalu‘u, before a series of tsunami claimed its homes. Yet the fish remain in abundance, making Punalu‘u a favored place for both commercial and hobby fishermen to throw net and work offshore.
For the keiki and their families on this January day, it’s better than another Christmas. Every contestant will win a prize, plus get free shave ice and lunch, which is also offered to adults. For toddlers, there is a wading pool filled with floating plastic duckies and toy fishing poles. Musicians provide entertainment and then the big awards begin.
The visionaries and orchestrators of this event are Wayne Kawachi and Guy Enriques, both of whom grew up in Pāhala and Punalu‘u. Guy’s mom and family still run a souvenir and t-shirt shop at the beach. His mother, Aunty Jeanette, is sometimes there with a wealth of historic information for visitors. Wayne is a retired commercial fisherman and is president of OKK, which he and Guy founded. A passionate and tireless volunteer, he is also interim president of the Ka‘ū Hospital Foundation and the Pahala Hongwanji Mission.
‘O Ka‘ū Kākou” translates as “We are Ka‘ū”. Its mission is to support and promote a healthy community through educational, cultural, and economic development opportunities that improve the quality of life in rural Ka‘ū. It has been honored by Hawai‘i County and received congressional recognition by Senator Mazie Hirono.
Wayne’s smile breaks open his sun-cured fisherman’s face as he tells the story of how the Keiki Fishing Tournament started. “I was a fisherman for 27 years, making a living after serving in the army in Vietnam. I was born and raised in Pāhala, where my dad worked at the sugar plantation. I always loved to fish.
“After the army and graduating from Southern Oregon College, I came back with my wife Nora and started fishing, catching mostly ‘ahi [Hawaiian tuna] off South Point and Miloli‘i. I fish out of Punalu‘u only for fun now. My wife is retired from being a nurse at Ka‘ū Hospital. I like to donate to the elders there because they don’t have the chance to get fresh fish.”
Appearances may be deceptive. Wayne is more than a simple fisherman, being also a skilled fundraiser and passionate organizer with a big heart. He recently made the news when he decided to walk 100 miles in his “slippahs” to raise funds for a proposed senior housing development in Nā‘ālehu.
“I helped start a keiki fishing tournament first in Miloli‘i with Shirley Casuga. For 12 years we did a tournament there. After Guy and I started OKK and we went down and helped them for two years, Guy suggested we do one here.” As often happens in OKK, the one who suggests something gets to chair the event. A former county council member and soccer coach, Guy and his wife, Realtor Julie Enriques, now chair the keiki tournament.
People familiar with Punalu‘u know it can often have wind and rough seas, but fortunately it’s always been good for the tournament, says Wayne. So many fish are caught by the keiki it takes 38 fish recording and counting volunteers who actually know the difference between a hīnālea (brightly colored wrasses) and a kūpīpī (reef fish)! Giving a lesson in fish varieties, he shares: “Po‘opa‘a [hawkfish] is the major one they catch, which is also called stone fish. The first year some 600 of them were caught. We took so many, we then realized it needed to be hook and release, and we now use barbless hooks. The fish are held in a bucket until the fish counter and measurer come by and then throw them back. Other varieties are āholehole [Hawaiian flagtail], kūpīpī and hīnālea.”
Everyone receives a participation prize with special prizes going to winners of the various fish competitions. Big prizes such as boogie boards or drones have been given for the largest fish in each category and another big prize is given for most fish, which can be at least 30. “Last year some 300 po‘opa‘a were caught and the others in lower amounts,” Wayne says. “Suisan donates shrimp for bait every year.”
There are other major donors for the fishing tournament as well as other OKK projects, including major landowners in Ka‘ū. “We try to get to know people that are impacting the area and get them involved. Most of them are willing to help us. They know they are impacting the community. I enjoy meeting other people.” Wayne also has contacts with former Ka‘ū residents who continue to support the community. “The County of Hawai‘i also gives funding.”
Volunteers are critical to the success of the major events OKK sponsors, including the Ka‘ū Coffee Trail Run, Fourth of July Parade, and Veterans Day Celebration. “We have a whole bunch of good people to make this successful. We have a good core group, especially on big events. There are lots of snowbirds that like to participate. They love this event. Also people who live here year round.”
The Keiki Fishing Tournament has consistently drawn about 300 keiki each year, he says. “They come from other areas of the island but I would say 90 percent are from Ka‘ū. Lots of kids love to fish and already have experience. Lots of times dad helps, sometimes getting too involved,” he laughs. “It’s a family thing—we’re not so critical about the rules. We get some repeat winners because their dad knows the spots. Most of the time it changes. Prizes are purchased with the donated funds. We spend about $4,000. Every kid gets a prize and the food is free. Last year we served about 800 free lunches—which included 900 homemade brownies—and even more shave ice.”
The real heart of OKK is in its response to the needs of kūpuna (elders) and supporting other charity organizations. “We build a lot of handicap ramps, help other organizations by loaning tents or shave ice machines. Often hospice calls us. They had an article in their magazine about us fixing the home of a person with cancer. We have done a number of different projects for seniors. We have a lot of retirees with talents. Sometimes seniors who have money get ripped off by unscrupulous people and we help them out. Those with money we also ask to donate to OKK. We do crazy stuff. Currently we are caretaking graveyards in Ka‘ū, installing gravel to keep the weeds down. I like people. I just feel good about helping the elders and I have time on my hands,” Wayne says.
Other volunteer projects include ongoing maintenance and cleanup of invasive water plants at Punalu‘u Beach lagoon, and highway trash pick-up. Fundraising money is also donated to scholarships for higher education for Ka‘ū school students.
“The tournament is successful because it’s a community thing. It’s a good time for parents to spend time with kids. Fishing is one of the things they like to do together and often don’t have opportunity. Because it’s a free event, they don’t have to worry about that. I think my dad would have taken me to it back then because he knew I loved fishing.” ❖
For more information: okaukakou.org
Mahalo Kings’ Shops – Culture Story Sponsor
Karen Valentine
Karen, along with Barbara Garcia, envisioned and created Ke Ola Magazine in 2008. She acted as co-publisher and editor until 2012. She has lived in Hawai‘i since 1999 and has family on Hawai‘i Island. She was co-publisher of Hawai‘i Island Journal until 2005, when she moved to Honolulu for two years. She has worked as an advertising copywriter, publisher of several magazines in Michigan, book editor and writer for such magazines as Hawai‘i Business, Enterprise magazine, Southwest Michigan Living, and Better Homes & Gardens. Karen has a college degree in journalism and art, and is a practitioner of Hawaiian cultural arts, including hula. She enjoys sailing her yacht throughout the Hawaiian Islands.
