Johnson Control repeats as Champions in Oahu fishing tournament

First Place Team - Unit 4420 - Johnson Control “Manaopaa” (l-r): Wallace Valdez, Dennis Yoshimura, Wilfred Tsuda, Davin Woodruff, and Ashley Takemoto. — First Place Team – Unit 4420 – Johnson Control “Manaopaa” (l-r): Wallace Valdez, Dennis Yoshimura, Wilfred Tsuda, Davin Woodruff, and Ashley Takemoto.

HONOLULU – It was a beautiful day for fishing on the Island of Oahu and 30 anglers took part in the 21st Annual Oahu Division Fishing Tournament. The event was held August 21-23, 2015 under bright skies and humid conditions. The seven children in the Keiki Division contributed to their respective team’s totals.

Like a boxer waiting for the last moment to land a knockout punch, Unit 4420 – Johnson Control’s “Manaopaa” relied on their last angler, Wallace Valdez to deliver the last 3.71 pounds just before the weigh-in was to close. Those fish brought the team’s total weight to 14.68 pounds. This eked out Roy Tachino’s “Team Foodland” total weight of 14.01 pounds. The win gives Johnson Control back-to-back wins. Team members include Wilfred Tsuda, Rolly Prado, Wallace Valdez, Davin Woodruff, Dennis Yoshimura, and Ashley Takemoto.

Unit 4405 – Foodland “Team Foodland” was runner-up with Roy Tachino catching the largest fish of the tournament, an omilu weighing 4 pounds.

“Power On” of Unit 4412 – Servco Pacific was third with 8.95 pounds.

Unit 4415 – Hawaii Memorial Park “Master Baiters” came in fourth with 7.4 pounds

“Mana 2” of Unit 4412 – Servco Pacific rounded out the tournament with 2.26 pounds

The tournament is about more than just bringing in and seeing the big fish. Many of the participants are there to celebrate family and see friends. State Sports Coordinator Brian Tanaka said, “This tournament is about the family and kids participating in outdoor activities”.

Hot dogs and buns, chili, fried chicken, and rice were served as the fish were being weighed-in.

The Keiki Division included: Brielle Pedrina, Bryson Pedrina, Rachel Takemoto, Katie Tong, Noah Tong, Wylan Valdez, and Braeden Woodruff.

“One of the things I love to see with the kids participating is that it is good clean fun and it is an outdoor activity that families can all afford,” Tanaka said.

Each participant who is present at the weigh-in is given an entry for a random prize drawing. This year’s grand prize winner is Reid Tollefsen of “Master Baiters.” He won a tailgate table.

The fishing tournament starts Friday at 4:00 p.m. The entry fee is $25 for adult (additional $10.00 for any family member) or $50.00 for a team. The tournament concludes with the weigh-in at the ILWU Hall at 451 Atkinson Drive at 12:00 noon on Sunday. Hoping to see you there next year.

Keiki Division winners: Noah Tong, Braeden Woodruff, Wylan Valdez, Rachel Takemoto, and Katie Tong. (Missing: Brielle Pedrina and Bryson Pedrina).

Roy Tachino of Unit 4405 – Foodland “Team Foodland” with the largest fish of the tournament, a 4 pound omilu.	Unit 4412 – Servco Pacific anglers with their catch (l-r): Jerry Lactaoen with an oio and Arnold Fejeder with his two oio.
Members of Unit 4415 – Hawaiian Memorial Park “Master Baiters” – Ronald Herbon with a papio and weke, Reid Tollefsen with a papio, and Chris Taris with a toau and papio.	The anglers of Unit 4412 – Servco Pacific who brought their catch to the weigh-in were rewarded with prizes (l-r): Arnold Fejeder, Shaughnessy Birgado, Daven Tong, Jerry Lactaoen, and Lee Tom

Winner of the random grand prize drawing, a 4-foot Tailgate Table: Reid Tollefsen of “Master Baiters”