On behalf of Pacific Islands Fisheries Group (PIFG), Tag-It & Lawai’a magazine, we would like to thank Mike Tokunaga and his Ohana for hosting PIFG at Hawaii’s their primer shoreline tournament – the S.Tokunaga Ulua Challenge. PIFG was once again privileged to have included the Tagging Challenge category in the 2017 tournament and was honored to have Kekoa Spen of Shimano America and Keoni Lahilahi of Costa Del Mar join us as corporate sponsors.

This was a record breaking tournament for the PIFG Tagging Challenge with a total of 295 participants, of which 35 anglers tagged a total of 60 fish! There were 13 ulua, 46 papio and one kahala tagged and released during the 4 day tournament held from June 8 to 11, 2017 on Big Island. There was an awesome recovery this year too with one tagged ulua recaptured during the tournament by Jonathan Irie. The tagged ulua was at liberty for almost 7 years, had grown 9” to 42.3 lbs, recaptured along the same area in had been released but who know where it may have traveled in 7 years Someday soon a tagged ulua will win a category or even the tournament!

We will look forward to continued support from Shimano and Costa Del Mar in bringing quality products to Hawaii’s fishermen at the same time promoting conservation and stewardship of our precious resources. All in all, it is win-win for everyone! Mahalo.