Kona coffee growers wait all year in anticipation of this annual event.  Bragging rights and the prestige of winning the cupping contest is a big deal.  While years ago, there was a handful of Kona coffee brands, notably Lion and  Royal, today there are dozens of private label brands being offered and the competition is thick.

Kona coffee has a world-wide reputation for being rich and smooth, without the bitter aftertaste often associated with other brands.  Hawaii’s first coffee plantation was started on Kauai, but like other plantings, it suffered from a bug infestation.  Meanwhile, the coffee trees took hold in Kona and it has been grown successfully there for over 100 years.

The average coffee farm is family owned and approximately 5 acres in size.  And, just as Vidalia onions must be grown within the small geographic area in Georgia to be labeled such and Maui onions must be grown in a very small geographic area on the slopes of Haleakala,  Kona coffee must be grown within a narrow band on the hills of Kailua-Kona to be labeled as Kona coffee.

The 41st Kona Coffee Cultural Festival is being held from Friday, November 4th thru the Sunday, the 13th.  The activities range from the Sugai Kona Coffee Talent Night kicking things off with this karaoke-style entertainment Friday evening to the coffee cupping competition held on Wednesday and Thursday mornings (9:00 am – 2:00 pm, both days), at the Keauhou Beach Resort.

In addition, UCC Hawaii Kona Coffee Picking Contest held Sunday (Nov. 5th) morning…and if you’ve never picked coffee, trust me, its back-breaking, neck-aching work.  In the afternoon, head over to the Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort and Spa for the Kona coffee recipe contest.  The best part is that public tasting of the entrees follows the awards presentation at 2:00 pm.  And the price of admission?   The $3 Festival button, which is required for most of these activities and is available at most locations.

You can view the entire week’s schedule here.

So, if you don’t have plans and are going to be in Kailua-Kona during the 2nd week of November, make sure to check it out.  Besides, the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival probably represents the best bargain $3 can buy these days, especially in Hawaii!

What began as a local challenge has grown into a premiere world competition!  In 1977,  San Diego-based John Collins proposed combining the three toughest endurance races in Hawai’i – the 2.4-mile Waikiki Roughwater Swim, 112 miles of the Around-O’ahu Bike Race and the 26.2-mile Honolulu Marathon – into one event.

Fifteen people came to Waikiki to take on the inaugural Ironman challenge on Feb. 18, 1978.  Prior to the race, each received three sheets of paper with a few rules and a course description.  The last page read: “Swim 2.4 miles! Bike 112 miles! Run 26.2 miles! Brag for the rest of your life!”

In 1981, the race was moved to its current location in Kailua-Kona.  On October 8th, there will be 25 women and 40 men who have qualified via the Professional Ironman qualifying series, which  includes 28 events (23 Ironman and five Ironman 70.3) throughout the world.

Or what about John Maclean of New South Wales, Australia?  He entered the Ford Ironman World Championship three times in 1995, 1996, and 1997 before finally completing the course.  This former rugby player was determined to finish the race…no lofty ambition of winning, just finishing the race…and be the first to do so in a wheel-chair.

In 1988, 22-year old John Maclean was hit by a truck while ironically out on a bike ride, and lost the use of both legs.  Not satisfied to rest on his Ironman-laurels, in 2000, John was the first wheelchair athlete to swim the English Channel.   And, in 2004, came back to Hawaii to become the first wheelchair athlete to complete in the Molokai Challenge canoe race.

Beginning last year, professional athletes must qualify to enter the Ford Ironman World Championship…no more wildcard entries.  There is a point system set up that the top qualifiers are offered an invitation and if they should decline, the next in line is extended an invitation till the allotted slots are filled.  In addition, there are three other divisions:

• Age Group,
•  Physically Challenged, and
•  Hand Cycle divisions.

So, who’s competing in this year’s event?  Here’s the complete list of qualified professional entrants:  http://ironmanworldchampionship.com/athletes/qualified-athletes/

October is a time when thoughts go to ghosts (obake) and stories of the unexplained.   Hawaii is recognized as one of the most haunted states in America and the reason for this has been credited to its unique mix of multi-cultural immigrants who all brought their own superstitious beliefs with them.  Over the years, these stories have integrated themselves into the very fabric that makes Hawaii, Hawaii.

One of the most recognized collectors and story tellers in Hawaii was Glen Grant.  He published a number of books that recorded stories and tales that have been told and re-told, sometimes for generations.  Whether you believe the facts related in the stories is a personal choice, but for many people who grew up in Hawaii and for many who have moved to Hawaii as non-believers…the percentage is high of those who believe that there are happenings that cannot be rationally explained.

Among the many books that Glen Grant authored were Obake Tales, Obake Files: Ghostly Encounters in Supernatural Hawaii (Chicken Skin Series), and Chicken Skin Tales.  For those not familiar with the term “obake”, it is a Japanese word, meaning ghost or spirit and is commonly used by all nationalities in Hawaii.  While his “Chicken Skin” series is what he is most known for, Glen Grant also authored or co-authored a number of books about the history and culture of Hawaii.

Carrying on in the footsteps of his close friend and mentor is master storyteller Lopaka Kapanui.  Well known in his own right, Lopaka Kapanui offers ghostly tours of Honolulu.  In the month of October, he has a special tour presented with the Waikiki Trolley called Haunted Hawaiian Nights.   The tour is offered between October 9th and 31st, at a cost of $35.  For more information or to make your reservation, contact the Waikiki Trolley at (808)593-7676 or go to www.waikikitrolley.com.

You can also sign up for one of Lopaka Kapanui’s regular tours.  You may find his Thursday evening tour of particular interest.  The Waialua, The Edge of Night, a 3-hour tour that explores what Glen Grant considered the most haunted area of Oahu.   Described by some guests as their scariest experience ever…there is still no guarantee that you will experience what they may have.  Then again…

The Waialua tour is held on Thursdays and Saturdays at 6:00 and 9:00 pm.  Cost for those 15 years and older, $55.  No one under 15 is allowed.

Maui’s The Place To Be For November Sports

EA SPORTS Maui Invitational NCAA Basketball Tournament

Lahaina Civic Center, Maui | November 21-23rd, 2011

While the spotlight for the Maui Invitational NCAA Basketball Tournament will be on Lahaina from November 21st-23rd for the final games of the tournament, the play actually begins on November 11th in Lawrence, Kansas (Townson vs Kansas), Knoxville, Tennessee (UNCG vs Tennessee), and Durham, North Carolina (Belmont vs Duke) in the opening games.  They continue on the 14th in Ann Arbor, Michigan (Towson vs Michigan) and Washington DC (UNCG vs Georgetown).  The first round of games end on the 15th with Middle Tennessee State playing UCLA (in Los Angeles) and Belmont playing Memphis at home in Memphis, Tennessee.

This is a new format being introduced with the expansion of the normal 8-team field to 12-teams, for this 28th Annual Tournament, which is officially known as the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational Tournament.  (Say that three times real fast!)   With the addition of these four extra teams, known as the “Mainland Teams”, each of the “Island Teams” hosts a mainland team for a game in this Opening round.

This will be followed by four Regional Games, which will be hosted by four “Island Teams”.  The four “Island Teams” will rotate from year to year since there are actually seven “Island Teams” plus Chaminade, who will not participate in these additional games.  (Did you get all that?)

Regional Games are scheduled for the 19th and 20th at Murfressboro, TN, starting with UNCG vs Middle Tennessee State and Towson vs Belmont on Saturday and finishing up with the losers playing one another and the final game featuring the two winning teams.  You can sort of consider these “warm up games” for the 8 Island Teams, since none of the “Mainland Teams” have the opportunity to advance to the Championship Round, regardless of who wins the games in these first two rounds.

That brings us to the Championship Round, where I will let you view the brackets and figure it all out.  There are four games scheduled for each day of the 3-day tournament.  (Chaminade University of Honolulu, the tournament’s host,  is scheduled to play in Game 3 against UCLA and looking for its first tournament win since 2007.)

To give you some idea of the prestige of the “Island Teams”; since the beginning of this tournament 27 years ago, 89 schools representing 21 conferences and 39 states have competed in the EA SPORTS Maui Invitational, with Maui participants having won an astounding 62 of 73 NCAA championships and 58 of 73 national runner-up spots while comprising 239 of 292 Final Four teams.

If for no other reason, NCAA basketball fans in the islands should seize the opportunity to see top level basketball.  Remember, Duke won the national championship in 2010 (after a slow start and not even playing in the tournament final last year) and will likely start the tournament being ranked #1 in the national polls.  And, don’t overlook UCLA, Georgetown, and Kansas who are perennial national contenders, as well.

For those who are looking ahead to 2012, the “Island Team” will be made up of:

• Butler
• Illinois
• Marquette
• Mississippi State
• North Carolina
• Texas
• USC
• Chaminade

The four additional “Mainland Teams” for 2012, have not yet been finalized, as of this time.

Maui Invitational Golf Classic

This fund raising tournament has been re-vitalized for 2011 and being held on November 12-13 at the Old Wailea Blue and the Waiehu golf courses. The proceeds of this tournament will benefit the children and youth of Maui County through the following 501-C-3 Non-Profit Organizations.

1. Ao O Na Loko I’ a O Maui: Revitalization of the Fish Ponds
   Executive Director: Mr. Kimokea Kapahulehua
2. Hui O Wa’a Kaulua: Voyaging Canoe for Island of Maui
   Executive Director: Ms Joylynn Paman
3. Mayor Arakawa Community Kokua Fund
   Executive Director: Mr. Brian Thomas

Under this new venue, entry rates have been lowered to $165 per person.  Includes: Golf/Cart Fees, Kick Off and Awards Luncheon, Prizes and Fabulous Entertainment.

Cut Off:  First 288 applicants

Entry Deadline:  Oct. 25, 2011

Handicap:  September 2011 handicap (card) of each person will be used. Participant must attach copy of September 2011 Ghin handicap card or entry will not be accepted. Participant must use lowest official USGA handicap.  Any player falsifying handicap or club affiliation will be disqualified by the tournament committee. Committee reserves the right to make adjustments on handicaps.

Format:  Individual Gross scores for Championship Flight and Individual Net for “A”, “B” & Women.

Kick Off Party: Maui Tropical Plantation  5:00 pm, Friday

Awards Banquet: Maui Tropical Plantation  1:30 pm Sunday

For more information Call (All numbers are area code 808): Art Rego: 244-5934, Charlie Aruda: 244-5234, Curtis Takaoka: 250-6116,
Mel Pomroy: 870-9485, Jerry Toyama: 870-9274, Karan Schafer: 276-3797, Gerry Rose: 280-1199, Ernie Cayaban: 463-5882, Dorothy Tam Ho: 877-5433

USAirways announced new higher fees for overweight luggage/baggage for anyone who purchased tickets after February 1, 2011 or travel after March 1st.  For travel within the US/Canada/Latin America/Caribbean, you will be charged $90 for bags weighing 51 to 70 lbs each way.  For bags weighing between 71 and 100 lbs, the fee is $175 each way.  Overseas travelers face even higher fees.

These fees are in addition to the standard checked baggage fees of $25 for your first piece, $35 for your second piece, and $125 for your 3rd thru 9th checked bags.  Prior to this change, your 3rd thru 9th bags would have cost an extra $100/bag.  Again, these are fees for travel within the US/Canada/Latin America/Caribbean.

The over-sized bag fee is also raised to $175 per piece, each way.

There are exceptions to the checked baggage fees, including active duty military personnel and frequent fliers who have reached silver, gold, and higher status.  For more information, check out their Frequently Asked Questions section of the USAirways website.

While USAirways is not a major carrier of traffic to Hawaii, the question is will other airlines increase their fees as well?  If history shows us anything, its that they will see how the public reacts…then follow suit.

By the way, do you remember the “fuel surcharge”?   As oil prices continue their rapid increases and with talk of gas hitting $5.00/gallon by the end of 2012, I would not be surprised to see that rear its ugly head once again.  What do you think?

Annual Humpback Whale Count

It is estimated that protection of these endangered animals has allowed the number of wintering humpbacks in Hawaiian waters to increase from an estimated 1000 back in 1978 to an estimated to 10-12,000 currently.  That’s about 50-60% of the estimated total North Pacific Humpback count of 20,000.

The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary is still looking for a few more volunteers to participate in a whale count on Oahu, the Big Island and Kauai.

The annual count is held at numerous locations from 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on three Saturdays:

Jan. 26, Feb. 23 and March 30, 2013

Volunteers may register online at www.sanctuaryoceancount.org for locations on Oahu, Kauai, and the Big Island.  Check to see if the location you’re interested in still has openings…many do.

Whether you’re an island resident or a tourist looking for something special to do while on vacation, you can be a big help in the conservation efforts of these gentle giants of the sea.  Mahalo!

UPDATE 1/22/13):   Great news!  All  slots for volunteer counters have been filled for this year’s whale count.  

Tickets for the 2013 Merrie Monarch Festival, being held March 31st to April 6th, in Hilo, are available via the mail.  You can apply for a maximum of 2 tickets to the 3-days of competition, Thurs (Apr 4th), Fri (Apr 5th), and Sat (Apr 6th).  Tickets costs depend upon seat selection.  You can purchase tickets to the Miss Aloha Hula competition held on Thursday night, or you can purchase 2-day tickets for the group competitions held on Friday and Saturday nights.

Most activities during the Festival week are free to the public; however this year, tickets are needed to attend the Wednesday Hōʻike and the three-day hula competition.  This year tickets to the Wednesday night Ho’ike will cost $5.00 each and you can apply for up to 4 tickets.  The Merrie Monarch Festival Committee is coordinating a special Ho’ike to salute the 50th Celebration of the Merrie Monarch Festival.  We have invited some of the original dancers, first Kāne winners and special guests to grace the stage.  You can find the application for the Ho’ike tickets by clicking the link above.

You can print out your ticket request form for the 3-days of hula competition, as well as the instructions in filling out the form, at http://www.merriemonarch.com/images/images_2012/2013_tickets.pdf.

All applications must be postmarked no earlier than December 26th (yesterday), so you still have a good chance to get tickets if you act quickly.  Tickets for the Merrie Monarch hula competition sell out quickly, so if you want to attend, I would strongly suggest you print out, complete and mail your application today!

You can find the complete schedule of events here.

Fishing – Hawaiian Style

When people think of fishing in Hawaii, thoughts immediately go to giant Marlin or Mahimahi and while there is excellent deep sea fishing to be found on all the islands, not everyone can afford to spend the $150-300/day that chartering a boat will cost (per person).  Adding insult to injury, in Hawaii, unlike many other places, the “catch” belongs to the boat, not the angler!  So, if you had your sights set on Mahimahi steaks for dinner, the nearest restaurant or fish market would better serve you.  So, check with your charter captain first to see what arrangements can be made on any fish you may catch.

Shore Fishing in Hawaii

This post, however, is on shore fishing in Hawaii.  Many locals are avid shore fishermen and women and pursue their two most favorite fish, the Papio or Ulua (Jack or Giant Trevally) and the O’io (bonefish).  Of course, there are also times and/or seasons for pursuing other island favorites such as the Aholehole, Kumu, Moano, Oama or Weke, Halalu or Akule, Moi, and whatever else may be running.  There are even those who venture out at night, “torching” for “Tako” (aka octopus), both as for bait or to eat.  (“Torching” in Hawaii can be compared to “gigging” on the mainland, where flounder are pursued in the shallows in a similar fashion except not from the comfort of a boat.)

Hawaii is the only coastal state left that does not require a salt-water recreational fishing license, at least not yet.  That does not mean fishing in Hawaii does not involve a full set of rules and regulations covering what, when, where, and even how you can catch your fish.  For example, some of the locals may not be aware of the 10″ minimum size requirement for Papio, or the 5″ minimum size for Aholehole, or the 11″ minimum size and closed seasons for Moi, as is evident by some of the youtube videos being posted.

More than just about anywhere else, fishing in Hawaii is a social gathering.  As much or more attention is given to the “kaukau”, or food that will be brought than to the actual fishing.  Lets just say, it would be fair to say that going fishing in Hawaii often  involves packing the hibachi or full blown gas bbq grill along with the fishing gear.  It can be as fully involved as tail-gating at your favorite football game.

Ulua or GT

Ulua, or Giant Trevally, is probably the #1 sought after fish and devotees join clubs and tournaments in pursuit of 100+ pound fish, a true trophy of a lifetime.  On the eastern seaboard from the mid-Atlantic states into the Gulf region, “jacks” are considered trash fish!  Nobody eats them, very few pursue them, and there are certainly no clubs or tournaments focused on them.   For them to relate, they need to think in terms of red drum and striped bass and the passion that incites to appreciate the status of Uluas in Hawaii.

Their tackle is as specialized as it gets.  King Mackerel fishing from an east coast pier is as close to GT fishing in Hawaii as it gets.  It often involves the same anchor-line pole with a slide-bait technique, however, in Hawaii they don’t use a separate anchor line.  They simply throw out and anchor their lines, then slide down the baited hooks, all on the same pole.

Where the real differences come in is, I have not heard of any King fisherman being pulled to his death off of the end of a pier by large waves, whereas this is unfortunately, a fairly regular occurrence with ulua fishing.

Safety is just one of the reasons for ulua fishing clubs and/or groups existing.  Another reason for such club outings is it is a team effort landing one of these giant fish in the kind of terrain ulua fishing often involves.  Fishing from a sandy beach is the exception, rather than the norm for Ulua fishing.  Rocky shorelines, usually involving cliffs of 20′ or more, are more commonly the battleground for these pursuits.

And, if that’s not enough, these 100+ lb. fish are typically caught at night.

The YouTube ID of 9OXPP_cHKbo#! is invalid.   This video shows the team work involved with landing an Ulua from a typical rocky shore.

Surf Fishing + Tail Gating = Fishing Hawaiian Style

Of course, the biggest reason shore fishing in Hawaii is, as I mentioned before, a social gathering and eating event.  Just as important as what bait will be used is what food will be taken and prepared.  Most Ulua outings involve an overnight stay, so food is required.  But, even if its not going to be an overnight stay, there will be food!  Shore fishing in Hawaii, combines the best of surf fishing and tail-gating and if actual fish are caught, all the better!

However, for every enthusiast that pursues a 100-pound ulua, there are dozens of fishermen and women who are just as happy pursuing the under 10-lb Papio (Jack Crevalle).  They are commonly found in virtually all the Hawaiian waters and eagerly attack both bait and artificial lures presented to them.  Their popularity is such that unlike any other state, there are size and catch limits for these fish.

While commonly eaten in Hawaii, catch & release fishing is becoming more common.  This practice has been helped  along not only by the locals awareness for conservation of this resource, but also due to the Ciguatera toxin that infects many of the ulua found in Hawaii.   Eating an infected fish can cause mild to severe symptoms include gastrointestinal and neurological effects.  That does not take away anything from the sport of catching these great fighters.

O’io or Bonefish Fishing in Hawaii

Fly-fishing for O’io (Bonefish), in Hawaii has only become a “sport” in the last 30-years or so.  The majority of O’io are caught while bottom-fishing using either shrimp or ika (squid) as bait.  And, again unlike Florida fishermen who treat Bonefish as a strictly catch and release fish, in Hawaii, the O’io is excellent for use in making fish cake, popular with the locals.  Catch & Release fishing for O’io is also becoming more and more commonplace, especially with the fly fishermen, but there are many who still pursue them as a food source.

So, the next time you plan a trip to Hawaii, maybe you should check into the local fishing scene and see what’s “running” and see if you can’t get in a little shore fishing time and not have to budget as much as that off-shore fishing excursion would cost.  I will say that there is a near-shore fishing charter that goes just outside of Waikiki and pursues many of these same fish, aimed at the younger family members and is more affordable than a big game charter would be.  Fishing in Hawaii is not limited to chasing 800 lb. Marlin!

Commonly Caught Fish and Their Restrictions

This is by no means an all-inclusive listing, but simply the more commonly shore, hook-and-line caught fish you are likely to catch.  For a more information on regulated areas and species, you can go to the state website:  http://hawaii.gov/dlnr/dar/regulations.html and for the current list of limit and size restrictions, you can go to: http://www.fintalk.com/states/hi/min_sizes.html

• Aholehole: No possession limit, min size of 5″ **FL
• Moi:  Closed season June – August.  Limit of 15 per person/day, min size 11 in *FL
• O’io/Bonefish:  No possession limit, but minimum size of 14″ **FL
• Papio/Ulua/Jack Crevalle:  Limit of 20 per person of all species/day, min size of 10″ **FL
• Weke/Oama: Limit of 50 oama (weke under 7″ **FL) per person/day, no limit above the min size of 7″ **FL
• Kumu:  No possession limit, minimum size 10″ **FL
• Moano: No possession limit, minimum size 7″ **FL

**FL – Measure fork length, the straight-line distance from tip of snout to middle of trailing edge of tail.

As always, you are reminded that this information, while believed to be accurate at this time, is not guaranteed and you are encouraged to visit both websites listed above for the latest information.  Fishing rules and regulations are constantly being changed, so what is in effect today may not be tomorrow.  So, if you like the idea of fishing in Hawaii, be sure to check both websites out.

In invite you to visit my other blog, coastalfishingvideos.com, if you’re interested in seeing more about fishing Hawaiian style.  In addition to videos of fishing in Hawaii, the site includes over 480 of the best east-coast, gulf-coast, and west coast surf-wade-pier-kayak fishing videos from around the internet.  You will also find information on fishing rules, regulations, and licensing on all the coastal states (except Alaska), as well as a link to tide charts for coastal states.  Happy fishing and tight lines!