The first annual nenue fishing tournament, open to all fishermen island-wide, was held on January 23-25, 2015. Sponsored by A&P Auto Parts and Fishing Supplies in Nanakuli, this tournament attracted nearly 70 participants. Some of the fishermen came from the North Shore, Pearl City, and Waipahu, as well as Waianae and Nanakuli to join in the fun.
Nenue fish are found in rough seawater, in the white wash near reefs, live near the shoreline, and feed on limu. Despite Oahu warnings of high surf and rough conditions for the tournament dates, the fishermen were anxious to keep the competition going.
Besides the Salmon Steelhead poles which were awarded to the top three winners, thirty two prizes were given to raffle winners. Some of the prizes were a custom-made gallon of prune mui made with rum and plump California raisins, various fishing poles, boogie boards, Hawaiian plate lunches from Boyd’s Fish Market (located next door to A&P Auto Parts), and 808 Shore Casters t-shirts.
Tournament winners are as follows:
- 1st Place – Calvin Gemeno – 6.6 lb.
- 2nd Place – Timmy Gemeno – 6.2 lb.
- 3rd Place – Kody Gedge – 6.2 lb.
Gary Wong, sponsor and proprietor of Auto Parts and Fishing Supplies, hopes to repeat this tournament next year and will check out conditions for holding a different fishing contest in a few months. Wong would like to say “Thank you!” to participant Patrick Augustos who provided photographs of the winners and donated prizes for the competition.
