For the year 2000, the theme for fishing all around the state of Hawaii has been “Big but not lots.”  The chances of catching a fish have been reduced a little over previous years, but the larger fish have consistently coming in.  Both Marlin and Ahi stole the show at Ho’ole’a 2000, and a few appearances from the Mahimahi, Ono, and Aku made sure every category was paid.

Though five boats had to scratch because of personal and mechanical challenges, a record 86 competitors hit the line on Saturday with anticipations running high.  Ho’ole’a isn’t the largest tournament in the state (Ahi Fever), and it doesn’t pay out the highest jackpot (World Billfish Challenge).  It’s never been voted the most popular tournament in the state (Lahaina Jackpot), but it has developed the distinction of being the most diverse tournament in Hawaii.  Oh, and first place was worth over $14,000.00.

Team Kahuna Kai with one of two large Ahi for the weekend

The crew of Na Moelepo and their 470.5 lb Marlin

On day one, a few Marlin and a dozen or so Ahi over 100 pounds were called in, with well over half the fleet calling in something.  Paul Whitmire (aka Boolie), skippering his Haleiwa boat, Na Moelepo, reported a 500 pound Marlin which ultimately ended up scaling at 470.5 pounds.  Also on the radio log was a fish called in at 300 pounds, which as a nice catch for anyone, however, what wasn’t realized was that this fish would soon become the talk of the tournament.

As Ikaika, skippered by Neal Adachi, pulled up to the scales among the music, the announcer and the Hooters girls, everyone expected to see a fair sized Marlin that would place them in second.  What wasn’t expected, however, was a fish that looked considerably larger than 300 pounds.  In fact, the fish looked well over 500 pounds, and as the crowd rushed from all points around the harbor to see it, estimates ranged as high as the high 600 pound level.

Finally, the fish was raised off the deck.  The boom lift creaked from the strain, and the wind caused the fish to sway a little as it settled into the scale.  Gently, the fish stopped swinging, and the crowd waited in intense impatience as weighmaster Chris Rodgers called out 729.5 pounds.  Though the fish wasn’t the largest to win the Ho’ole’a and certainly wasn’t the largest fish to come into a tournament in Hawaii, the fact that it was called in at an estimated 300 pounds led to high drama in front of a large audience.

Because Ho’ole’a pays so many different ways and the total weight division was up for grabs, the start on day two was just as exciting.  86 boats blew out their smoke once again at 7:00 and roared to their spots in search of a great fish or group of fish that would take them to the prize alley. 

The winning Marlin - 729.5 landed by Ikaika

Koa E Kea with the largest Ahi of the tournament

Their estimate on the weight was 150 pounds, but the fish looked a little bigger to the crowd that had seen several by this point.  Calls of 160 and 170 were made, but soon the weighmaster settled the fish on the scale and read it at 180 pounds, good enough for the largest Ahi of the tournament.  Koa E Kea ended up with the fourth largest fish of the tournament, but because Na Moelepo’s fish moved into the highest total weight category, Koa E Kea ended up with the prize for third largest fish.

Leading into the Ho’ole’a, Kona angler Mike Vidal had the lead with 1,816 points earned over several tournaments, with Honolulu angler Rick Chapanot in close second. Vidal elected to not fish the Ho’ole’a, leaving Chapanot and the Cormorant Fishing team an opportunity to take over the lead. At the end of day two, Chapanot caught a solid 112.5 pound Ahi, and combining this with an extra 50 points for participating, Chapanot re-claimed first place with 1,904.5 total points. With only two tournaments remaining, at least 10 anglers have a chance at earning one of the coveted five berths into the South Point fish-off. The Okoe Bay Rendezvous is September 7 through 10, and the Lahaina Jackpot will be held in Maui October 79 through 29.

The Barbie Y with skipper Randall Yee amassed over $2,200.00 for their 27.5 pound Mahimahi, thanks to the optional categories, and the Tammy Y picked up just over $2,000.00 for their 172 pound Ahi.

Ho’ole’a has developed a reputation of giving out all sorts of prizes to all that attend the banquet, and 2000 was no exception.  From Maui Jim’s fifteen pairs of sunglasses to Diamond Welding’s $500.00 fish box, from Ala Wai Marine’s haul out and yard days to $500.00 worth of advertising, the Ho’ole’a sponsors made the tournament what it was.  Gift certificates to plenty of restaurants around town and fishing supply stores were handed out like candy all night long, but as the crew from Ikaika came to the podium to collect their check for over $14,000.00 as the Ho’ole’a 2000 winner, perhaps the most appropriate prize was the 50 pound bag of sand given to them for “underestimating” the weight of their fish.

Team Hawaiian 40 snaps a shot of their release