Clay Abubo and his crew watch as their ahi tips the scale at 199.2 on Saturday, July 16, 2011

Source:  Garden Island Newpaper

HANALEI — The crowd screamed when an ahi brought in by an angler known as Ziggy settled at 192.2 pounds, Saturday at the Hanalei Pier.

“They’re going to go nuts when the other big one comes in,” one of the weigh crew said, smiling at the reaction of the spectators who pushed their way to the yellow caution tape, working their cell phones for a photo while others simply wanted a better look at the big boy.

Two early entries tipped the scales at 134.2 pounds and 136.4 pounds leading spectators to comment about how people already missed a lot of the action.

But that was not the case at the 3rd annual North Shore Fishing Tournament as Eddie Abubo eased his way to the front of the taped off area.

Waiting on the outside, Clay Abubo and his crew were unassuming, working their boat to the floating dock and working the fish box, extracting gasps from the audience as a big tail tumbled onto the deck.

The hitch was fastened and Wayne Tanji worked the remote to hoist the catch.

As predicted by the weigh crew, the audience went wild with screams and cheers as Gary Pacheco, manning the microphone, announced the weight of 199.2.

That proved to be the winning entry in the ahi category.

It was followed just minutes later when a shuttle brought in another ahi and an ono by Stan Morinaka, the ono soaring to the top with a reading of 41.2 pounds.

Jordan Kahananui topped the aku category on a 28.4-pound fish and a 16.8-pound mahimahi topped that category for Jim Spencer.

But the top fish in the categories were not the only thing going home with the 50 boats entered in the tournament.

Chad Pacheco, chair of the tournament for the third year, said the purpose of the tournament is to build camaraderie among the fishermen and the community.

“Every boat which checked in received either a pair of binoculars or a lure head, courtesy of an anonymous donor,” he said.

“In addition to the prizes at this tournament, there is the Mike Sakamoto Challenge, a state competition where the grand prize is a trip for four to Las Vegas. The category in that Challenge is aku.”

Chad Pacheco said the Garden Island Trollers also put up a side pot for a random pull following the tournament as a surprise prize.

Another fun prize was the bouy, signed by all of the committee members and released by a boater, the finder of that bouy earning a special prize.

Nine hours after being released, one of the boats called in the find.

“We’re always looking for ways to improve the tournament,” Chad Pacheco said. “This year, the committee decided on the fun prize as kind of a scavenger hunt for fishermen.”

He said over the years, they’ve had dialog with the fishermen, resulting in the introduction of the floating dock at this year’s weigh in.

Another aspect for this year’s tournament was longer fishing times.

“This is what they wanted,” Chad Pacheco said, announcing additional minutes of fishing via the radio. “But I’m only the captain. The crew (committee) makes it easy for me because they want to build this tournament to be known as ‘the tournament to be in.’”

This year’s tournament featured 50 boats, an improvement over the 45 boats in the first tournament and 38 boats from last year’s tournament.

Every year Kauai residents and visitors look forward to the Annual Ha’ena to Hanalei 8 mile Run/Walk, organized by the Hanalei Canoe Club.  This is a wonderful fundraiser event that has been held for the last 31 years. It will be held on June 4th, 2011 at 7:00 a.m. We have runners participate from all over the world.

The 8-mile course begins at the end of the road in beautiful Ha’ena, traversing the scenic stretch of road and one-lane bridges along the breathtaking North Shore towards Hanalei Town. Turn left at Anae Road after the Waioli Bridge, and then turn right at Weke Road to the finish at the Hanalei Pier. The 5K Run starts and ends at the Hanalei Pier. The Youth Run starts and ends at the Pier.

Start time: 8-mile Runners – 7:00 a.m., Walkers – 6:00 a.m. There will be a free shuttle bus to the starting line in Ha’ena, leaving the Hanalei Pier beginning at 5:15 a.m. The 5K Run begins at 7:00 a.m. at the Pier. The Youth Run begins at 7:00 a.m. at the Pier..

Awards: Male & Female runners: 1st through 3rd for overall and each age group. Awards ceremony at 9:30 a.m. at the Hanalei Canoe Club. Age groups: 1 mile: 6 & under, 7 – 10, 11 – 14. 8-mile Run/Walk & 5K Run: 15 – 19, 20 – 29, 30 – 39, 40 – 49, 50 – 59, 60 – 69, 70 & over.

Pancake Breakfast: $7.00 per person, all you can eat, 7:00 a.m. at the Hanalei Canoe Club.

ALL RUNNERS EAT FREE!  Yummy.

If you’re a resident of Kauai, visiting, or just planning a vacation during the Summer, this is a wonderful fundraiser to partake in.  Choosing to stay in a Hanalei vacation rental or a Haena home rental is a good choice.  Maybe you prefer a Princeville.  It is just up the hill from Hanalei, about a 5-minute drive.  There are many luxury Kauai vacation rentals to choose from as well.   For more information and to sign up please go to www.hanaleicanoeclub.com.

Prince Course, Kauai

Many Kauai residents and visitors were saddened to hear the closing of the Prince Golf Course.  As of January 29, 2011 the Prince Course shut down business to undergo several months of renovation.  A complete renovation of the bunkers began in September 2010, and the course is now closed to allow completion of the project along with other planned upgrades.  Reopening is planning for October 2011.

The Tavern Retaurant by Roy Yamaguchi and the Prince Golf Shop, both located in the 60,000 square foot Prince Clubhouse, will continue to operate during the renovation.  The Tavern is open for lunch starting at 11 am and dinner from 5 pm to 9 pm daily.  If you enjoy rich comfort food, you’ll absolutely love it.  Unique dishes, wonderful ambiance, and great service.

The Golf Shop’s operating hour are 9 am to 5 pm Monday through Saturday and closed on Sunday.

For all of you who love to golf on Kauai, there are many amazing golf courses to choose from.  So if you’re vacationing in a Poipu beach rental or a Luxury Kauai Vacation Rental on the north shore be sure to play the golf courses near you.

If you’re staying at a Kauai vacation rental be sure to stop in for a class at Yoga Hanalei.  Director and Founder, Bhavani Maki specializes in the Patanjali Yoga Sutras, Yoga Philosophy, Yoga Psychology, and Yoga Therapy, Bhavani offers unique insights into discovering greater joy and freedom within one’s self.  She is an inspiration to many and a wonderful teacher.  Best Yoga Studio on the island.  All of the teachers are awesome.  There are many yoga classes to choose from.  You’ll love Yoga Hanalei!

Tubing
Tubing is a great way to cool off from the hot Kauai sun and get an up-close tour of Kauai’s dense rain forest. You will float along canals and through several tunnels as you take in the scenic ride. It is family-friendly, though kids must be at least 5 to participate. Kauai Backcountry Adventures takes reservations in advance for your tubing experience online or over the phone. Lunch is provided during the activity, and you will have a chance to jump off the tube and swim. Because of its popularity, you should reserve your tubing excursion at least four weeks in advance. Expect to pay about $100 per person.

Bike Through Waimea Canyon
Book a trip to bike through Waimea Canyon. The scenic canyon views are second only to the Grand Canyon, and the ride is almost all downhill, so you do not have to be in tip-top shape to finish the ride. The tour, given by Outfitters Kauai, is 12 miles long and includes frequent stops for photos and brief talks about the history of the area. Expect to get up early; check in is 6 a.m., but coffee and fresh muffins are served immediately. The colors in the canyon at dawn are the most vibrant of the day. Expect to pay between $80 and $100 for adults and $70 to $80 for children ages 12 through 14. Children younger than 12 are not permitted.

Surf’s Up
Surfing is a popular activity for visitors to Kauai. Even if you have never stepped on a board, you will have fun learning the basics and getting up on some small, beginner waves. Kayak Kauai offers 90-minute surf lessons with certified instructors in Hanalei, Kauai’s most famous surf town and surfing beach. The company guarantees that you will stand up on a wave in your first lesson. They use different surfboards for appropriate skill levels: foam boards for beginners and fiberglass boards for more experienced surfers. The lessons are offered daily at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Expect to pay about $50 per person; save a few bucks by booking in advance.

Napali Boat Tours
The spectacular cliffs of the Na Pali coast are off limits to most visitors – unless they dare to hike the wilderness on narrow and slippery trails. Coastal boat tours provide a way to see these amazing cliffs up close, and enjoy a sometimes rough and ready adventure at the same time. Explore sea caves, watch sparkling waterfalls, and marvel at how tenaciously plants can cling to inhospitable rock. You’ll see an enormous change in landscape, from the dark, rich green of Ke‘e Beach, where rainfall measures nearly 125 inches a year, to the reds and browns of Polihale on the west side, where it’s only 20 inches. During winter (November till March), if seas off Na Pali are too rough and currents too strong, tours may cruise Kauai’s south shore to Kipu Kai, where humpback whales frequent Hawaii’s warm waters from December to April, as well as pods of spinner dolphins.

Zip-Lining Adventures
Capture a bird’s eye view of Kauai while soaring above its lush valleys, flowing streams and dense rain forests on an exhilarating zipline tour. These eco-friendly tours will provide you with both a thrilling experience and educational insight into Kauai’s rich history.

Enjoy the ride as you soar above a colorful jungle canopy, while simultaneously learning about Kauai’s diverse ecosystem of rare native plant and animal species. The world’s most beautiful panoramic views abound as you descend effortlessly into the forest below.

Kauai is home to a variety of ziplining opportunities, each offering a unique aerial perspective of the island’s diverse landscape. Princeville Ranch Adventures (See Ground Tours), Kaua‘i Backcountry Adventures (See Ground Tours), Just Live (See Ground Tours) and Outfitters Kaua‘i (See Ocean/River Kayaking) all operate zipline courses.

All zipline companies will have similar requirements and restrictions. For tour-specific information, please contact each zipline company directly.

Hiking on Kauai
Part of Hawaii, Kauai is a spectacular island with amazing scenery. There are numerous major waterfalls on the island, some visible from the road, some from the air, and many that you can hike to. Some of these hikes are short hikes from the road, and others can take all day, or longer. One of my favorite hikes on Kauai starts with a kayak trip up the Wailua River, which is then followed by a hike further inland to Secret Falls. There are many hikes through the Hanalei river valley, and Mount Wai’ale’ale is visible from much of the island. Waimea Canyon is particularly breathtaking and is often called the grand canyon of the pacific. Not to mention, the 11 mile hike along the Napali coast in to Kalalau. You can choose to hike in to the first beach, Hanakapi’ai which takes approximately 45 minutes. This is a popular one for many. Always check with lifeguards and/or local authorities regarding conditions for hiking/swimming.