Fishing tournament a success
The 38th Annual Ho‘okena Canoe Ono Fishing Tournament was held on Saturday, June 24, at Ho‘okena Beach.
Four canoes and 12 lawai‘a participated in this special community event, which included a teenager and his great grandfather.
In 1985, this outrigger canoe-only tournament included lawai‘a from Ho‘okena, Miloli‘i, Honaunau and Napo‘opo‘o. At that time, each of our villages fished and gathered with canoes, but today, only Ho‘okena continues this tradition.
Our ‘opelu canoe fishing culture is a respected customary practice which connects us to our ‘aina and kupuna. Recognizing our traditional Hawaiian fishing rights, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has proposed exemptions for our lawai‘a to fish to fish for mea‘ai in the proposed time area closures to protect the resting nai‘a in Kauhako Bay.
This tournament is part of our effort to malama ka ‘aina i ke kai here at our home — Ho‘okena, South Kona, Hawaii Island.
We would like to thank the following businesses for their generosity in supporting this culturally relevant event. With their kokua, all of our lawai‘a received a makana, which we appreciate very much.
Mahalo nui loa to Patel’s Service Station, Ace Hardware (Kealakekua), ChoiceMart (Kealakekua), Manago Hotel and Restaurant, KTA Express, Kona Marine Supply, Pacific Rim Fishing and Big Island Marine.
Damien Kenison
Kauhako Ohana Association
Regarding election debates
Democratic primaries need to include open debates among all three candidates in the media in a timely manner. Justice delayed is justice denied.
Citizens need enough time to make informed decisions about how they want to vote.
For the Democratic Party to deny or put off this process violates the integrity of their name.
Here is the petition to ensure that Democrats embrace the democratic process around the election of candidates: change.org/primary debates.
Darlene Viggiano
Pahoa