JUST AROUND THE BUOY

WK Buoy 

Off the coast of Kauai

(This and all subsequent photos in this post, with the exception of a couple of images, 
are presented by courtesy of Silas Kaumakahia Aqui.)

The best fishing hole in Hawaii?

Arguably, it may very well be just past the WK Buoy off the southeast coast of Kauai.  

At least, the testimonies of my brothers, Charlie and Glenn, and Glenn's son, Jared, and the pictures that follow seem to bear this out.

I mean, 5 koshibi (baby ahi, or yellow fin tuna) and 15 aku (bonito) are pretty solid evidence for bolstering my case.

My brothers did most of the fishing while Captain Jared adeptly piloted the boat through the deep liquid turquoise.  Getting up very early to make this trip, they were able to spend twelve fruitful hours in the hot Hawaiian sun.  

Weather and tide patterns held up well, and by day's end, these tired,  hungry and well spent Hawaiian mariners were ready to pack it in and head on back to terra firma.

If the following photos are any indication, it would appear that deep sea fishing isn't about heavy labor but, rather, recreation for the body, mind, and soul.  A time for ohana, or family; a time for talkin' story--making good conversation; and truly a time for healing, for connecting with nature, for introspection, and for deep gratitude for a God who provides.

Braddah Glenn with a freshly caught aku.

 Fish On!  for Braddah Charlie.

Braddah Glenn congratulates Braddah Charlie  on landing this good-looking aku. 

 A friend's boat partially disappears behind a large wave.

 Captain Jared steering the boat.

 In deep slumber, the Sleeping Giant rests with Mt. Waialeale, the wettest spot in the world, providing a picturesque backdrop.

 Glenn helping his son, Jared, with another exciting catch of the day.

 Jared chops an aku into small pieces that will be used as chum for drawing koshibi (young ahi, or yellow fin tuna) closer to the boat.  Larger pieces of aku will serve as bait.

 Hey, wake up, Sleeping Giant!  You're missing all the action!

 Glenn might be the head guy on this boat, but he's wise to check in with the real boss of 
fishing operations, wife Linda.

 A great looking koshibi!

Glenn's t-shirt slogan says it all:  BETTER LUCKY THAN GOOD!

 The three fishing poles are secured at the stern of the boat.  Check out the size of the fishing reel!

Glenn proudly displaying two of the five koshibi that were caught.
(Photo courtesy of Linda A.)

The majority of the day's catch.  (Charlie took a few home.)
(Photo courtesy of Linda A.)

Nothing is wasted.  While squid-like lures were used for the most part, some of the aku was cut up and used as chum and bait to catch koshibi.  Some of the fish will be sold to pay for fuel for the boat and for business revenue.  The rest of the bounty will be eaten raw, dried, fried, and/or put into the freezer for future use.

The very next morning, Charlie sets out strips of aku to dry in the hot Hawaiian sun.

When afternoon shadows are finally swallowed whole by the impending darkness; when the old yet sturdy and faithful boat has been parked, ever so carefully, in the back yard (watch out for the dogs and cats and chickens, now!); when the fish and tackle are cleaned and put away; and when freshly showered, weary, aching bodies finally merge into the comfort of familiar beds, the dreams will come.

Dreams borne on the tradewinds that rouse the ghosts of ancient times.  Dreams of the fish that were caught today--only now with voices speaking in the ancient Polynesian dialects, their music swelling with the percussion chorus of the vibrant sea.  Dreams of a more peaceful era, an age of antiquity when everything blended harmoniously and sensibly, when men treated each other and all other living creatures with dignity and respect.

Where brothers and sisters could man a huge outrigger canoe and ride the surf--yea, even ride past the surf--and find the sweet spot where hooks of bone baited with the flesh that Mano, the shark, had sacrificed for the sake of the island village, could be lowered into the water to make their alluring siren call to the great fishes of the deep...

Hele mai, Ono!

Hele mai, Mahimahi!

Hele mai, Ahi!

Hele mai, Aku!

Hele mai, you denizens of the eternal deep blue!

Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono!

Hele mai...

PUPU, ANYONE?

Tako Drying in the Sun

(Photo courtesy of Silas Kaumakahia Aqui)

One of my most popular posts to date addresses the God-given penchant of my brother, Charlie, for capturing octopus (TAKO in Japanese; HE'E in Hawaiian).

(Click on this link or on the right margin reference to this particular post:  

 http://hawaiianodysseus.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-brother-charlie-excellent-octopus.html)

Weather patterns all over the world have been helter skelter, and Hawaii has definitely been no exception.  But now that the glorious sun has shown its face more consistently over The Garden Isle, Charlie put his makeshift drying kit together and set it outside in the yard.  Tentacled legs and mantle pieces are evenly placed between two screens with boarded foundations.  The rest is up to the sun.

The dried octopus, like its beef or turkey counterparts, is an excellent snack or PUPU (Hawaiian for hors d'oeuvre).  It is an excellent source of protein and a catalyst for the saliva glands.  

If the weather is mellow and the ocean action off the southeast shore of Kauai remains calm tomorrow, Charlie will join my brother, Glenn, and Glenn's son, Jared, on a deep sea fishing expedition.  They will be fishing for AKU (bonito), PAPIO and ULUA (respectively, juvenile and mature trevally or jackfish), and other deep sea fish.

(See:  http://hawaiianodysseus.blogspot.com/2011/05/success-on-virgin-voyage-of-kaimalia.html)

Next month, my brothers and I, along with our sister and her family and relatives will have a much  anticipated reunion with our father who lives on the east coast.

This will be a wonderful occasion for everyone, but it will be especially huge for my dad and me because we haven't seen each other for thirty-three years!

Hopefully, the brothers will be blessed with an abundant catch.  Dried aku is quite a delicacy. Together, with the dried tako and other Hawaiian delights, and always accompanied by poi, we'll have a grand time catching up on good times and sharing sweet memories.

Vintage Hawaiian--life at its best!

SUCCESS ON THE VIRGIN VOYAGE OF KAIMALIA LIN

KaiMalia Lin
(Photo courtesy of Glenn and Linda)

"The fish and I were both stunned and disbelieving to find ourselves connected by a line."    --William Humphrey in "The Armchair Angler"

I am blessed with family members who are extraordinary in their humble origins and simple lifestyles. Readers of my two blogs are familiar with Braddah Charlie, the local boy octopus hunter (http://hawaiianodysseus.blogspot.com/2010/11/my-brother-charlie-excellent-octopus.html), fisherman (http://hawaiianodysseus.blogspot.com/2011/04/kanaka-salute-to-real-heroes-of-kauai.html), and master craftsman (http://hawaiianodysseus.blogspot.com/2011/05/braddah-charlies-portable-fish-cleaning.html).

Now I'd like you to meet my Braddah Glenn Kuhina.  


Recently, Glenn, his lovely wife, Linda, and their son, Jared, purchased a fishing boat.  Naming it KaiMalia Lin (see Linda's Facebook comment below regarding the origin of the name), the family looked forward to great adventures with deep sea fishing and ocean cruising someday.  They did some work on it, the last project involving intense challenges with the engine.  The family project--always a great vehicle for supergluing those precious familial ties.  One of the greatest compliments I could ever pay each of my three younger brothers--in spite of my neglect in telling them enough--is a mention of just how very much they've taught and mentored me, the oldest brother, over the years.


I've been metaphorically hurdling the Pacific Ocean with the passionate posting on this blog and hawaiianodysseus2.blogspot.com for the past five months--one figurative foot on Kauai and the other here in Seattle.  The experience has enriched my awareness of and immense gratitude for my family of origin.


So when I was able to view the latest images that Linda had posted to Facebook, I was really jazzed and happy for my brother, Glenn, and his family.


Glenn had been on his own personal odyssey of self-discovery, and so--just as he and all of my family have done for me over the past four decades--I was a staunch and faithful prayer warrior, supportive friend, and always, always, always a nostalgic big brother.  The split screen in my Fall Season mind found me "watching movies"  in both the present reality AND the small kid times of yesteryear.


This latest chapter--DAS BOOT, Hawaiian style--instigated primal stirrings within me.  Our father had been a very good fisherman--adept in spearfishing, fish and lobster net setting, Hawaiian throw net, surf fishing, fish trap setting, and reef torching.  But our family of origin never had the resources with which to obtain a fishing boat.


So it is very good as well as motivating to see Braddah Glenn and his family collaborate on the purchase, usage of, and dedication to this recreational as well as pragmatic pastime.  If it is the natural inclination of each generation to transcend its predecessor, then the involvement with this gorgeous seafaring boat is a quantum leap for my brother and his loved ones.


At this juncture, I want to share with you a Facebook exchange I had with Glenn's wife regarding the name of the boat.

My nephew, Jared, in the Captain's Seat
(Photo courtesy of Glenn and Linda)

Me:  Glenn and Linda, what's the story behind the name of the boat?  It's a beauty, by the way! Congratulations!  I know you guys are gonna put it to good use--both fishing and sailing!

Linda:  Hi, Joe - when Glenn was thinking of what to name the boat, he had already thought of naming it EmmaAmme (in honor of the twins)...I reminded him that our river boat is already named after the grandchildren; so he gave me the task of naming the boat...there are actually three names - Kai, (for Jared's girlfriend, Kainoa, and because Jared is a part owner); Malia (Jennifer's middle name); and Lin (after me, and since I'M the REAL captain! haha)

KaiMalia Lin, side view
(Photo courtesy of Glenn and Linda)

So, you may be wondering, did they ever take the boat out to go fishing?


I'm going to let each of the following pictures speak a thousand words plus for you.

Cast of KaiMalia Lin--Jared, Glenn, and Riley
With Great Supporting Actors--30-lb Mahimahi,  Ulua, and 10 Aku

God blessed these men on the maiden voyage with an abundant catch.  I am very happy for their success on this, the very first fishing trip aboard the KaiMalia Lin!

The Proud Skipper with His Prize Catch

(Photo courtesy of Glenn and Linda)

Naturally, each crew member gets to pose with the monster fish of the day...first up, Jared!

Like Father, Like Son

(Photo courtesy of Glenn and Linda)

Brother Riley, below, is a good family friend.  You know he'll want a slab of this magnificent and delicious fish!

  Calabash Cousin and Mahimahi Wrangler, Riley

(Photo courtesy of Glenn and Linda)

Congratulations to Braddah Glenn and his beautiful family for their successful maiden fishing trip!  May God bless you with many more abundant catches and--in the process--keep your family safe, happy, and forever intact!  It has been an  honor for me to have chronicled in word and shared images this memorable family venture!