June 19, 2011
The 2011 Diving with Dad Tournament was held on Sunday, June 19th at the Kokololio Beach Park in Haaula, Oahu. This annual Father’s Day event was founded back in 1997 by Brian Yoshikawa, and today this event is organized and coordinated by the Alii Holo Kai Dive Club and Maui Sporting Goods. Brian’s original vision of this children-oriented tournament is focused on giving families the opportunity to come together with friends and other families, and spend a wholesome, fun and relaxing Father’s Day at the beach, while teaching our youth to enjoy and respect our beautiful ocean and beaches.
The only diving competitors on this day are the youth who were placed into three different age group divisions. Each ‘dive-competitor’ must be accompanied by a “bag boy” escort which is usually a father, mother, uncle, or similar adopted ‘Dad’ to provide guidance and safety for the youth. Only 3-prong spears are allowed and target fish are restricted to edible fish of legal size. This is a great event which teaches the children to: 1) respect and malama the environment; 2) perform a community service; 3) dive with a buddy; 4) exercise other ocean safety practices and; 5) learn the different Hawaiian fish species.
The morning began with a roll call and briefing by event coordinator Terrence Takahata, followed by a prayer of blessing and protection by AHK member Dennis Okada. This was followed by the traditional beach cleanup which has also evolved into its own competitive event. The competitors picked up an astounding total aggregate of 444.75 pounds of trash from the beach and park. The winners of this cleanup competition were:
Overall winner: Shane Isono 144.86#
Age Group 5 to 8: Raiden Miguel 14.36#
Age Group 9 to 12: Shayla Hull 108.39#
Age Group 13 to 17: Kelsey Tsukahara 11.06#
The diving phase followed and conditions were slightly windy and the current was brisk, but fortunately, the competitors were blessed with clean waters and sunny skies. Earlier in the morning, little plastic fishes
secured with lead sinkers were strategically placed in the shallow waters for the younger keiki divers. While these younger children participated in this ocean-based ‘Easter Egg Hunt’ close to the beach, the
older youth ventured out in search of some prized fish. As each youthful competitor emerged safely back on shore, you could tell by the faces of joy and excitement that they couldn’t wait to weigh-in their catches. Shayla Hull seemed the most excited since this event gave her the opportunity to spear her very first fish. These young divers have genuine fishermen blood in their veins because in true fashion like their adult counterparts, the young voices began to fill the air with fish-stories of the ‘one that got away’.
Each competitor’s catch was carefully weighed and recorded by Terrence and his weigh-in crew of Junior Afalla and Lance Ohara. After the last catch was recorded, all the hungry divers and families enjoyed a feast of pizza, hot dogs, and hamburgers prepared by Terry Yonashiro, Sheila Isono and the cooking crew. A few ‘buffet-experts’ instead headed first to the dessert table full of home-made goodies donated by the families. Lunch was followed by a very special treat – some refreshing and ono Hawaiian shaved ice provided by Kelvin Ching who brought his Tat’s Shave Ice truck all the way to Haaula.
After the feast, the children gathered in excitement as the awards and prizes were given out. The age group winners, along with some of the more notable catches were:
Age Group 5 to 8:
Rachel Oato 1 fish @ 0.94#
Pono Chung 2 fish @ 0.52#
Age Group 9 to 12:
Enzo Takiguchi 4 fish @ 2.2#
Dylan Chung 10 fish @ 1.69#
Age Group 13 to 17:
Tommy Boy Uyeda 6 fish @ 7.2#
Brandon Hull 3 fish @ 2.1#
Every diver was awarded prizes and gift bags with an event t-shirt and other goodies donated by our generous sponsors.
Recognizing the great opportunity to participate in this event and at the same time realizing that there are those less fortunate than us, a raffle was held to raise funds to assist the H-5 (Hawaii Helping the Hungry Have Hope) program which is a homeless shelter in Kakaako with approximately 50 children. This raffle was coordinated by Amy Yonashiro and the proceeds will be used to help provide items for these children when they begin a new school year. The winners of the raffle received some great prizes donated by our generous sponsors.
By the end of the day, the children (and parents) were totally spent from all the fun and excitement. The cleanup crew and the last stragglers left the park as the sun was setting. Many memories of another successful Diving with Dad event would be very soon swirling in the dreams of the young ones on this night.
An event such as this, requires many people in the background offering helping hands. Terrence and the Alii Holo Kai Dive Club wishes to thank all those that volunteered their help in providing tents, tables, grills, cooking equipment, food, desserts, coolers, ice, and kayaks, Also much mahalos to those that worked that day setting up, cooking, manning the weigh-in station, pizza pickup, ‘adopted fathers’ and the very important safety crew. There are too many people to name here, but please know that your help is very much recognized and appreciated.
Last but not least, the 2011 Diving with Dad would not be possible if not for our very reliable, generous, and kind sponsors. Alii Holo Kai wishes to extend a sincere appreciation to the following sponsors:
AQA Hawaii Clark Sales
Corrosion-X The Creation Station
Island Hydrostatics Izuo Brothers
Lance Ohara, Co. Maui Sporting Goods – Kapahulu
Maui Sporting Goods – Wailuku Nanko, Ltd.
Paradise Beverages Shane Hamamoto Fish Prints
Island Style Cuts Kawabanga Custom Spears
Hawaii Skin Diver Hammerhead Spearguns
Beauchat Tat’s Shave Ice
Kirk Hendricks Keith Uehara
Bryan Oato
