Nawiliwili Father’s Day fishing tournament brings keiki and families together

Toshiro Esaki-Kua barely had time to settle in at Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor before he landed a papio within the first five minutes of the Nawiliwili Yacht Club’s Father’s Day Keiki Fishing Tournament. For his mother, the catch carried extra weight because it was his first year fishing without Papa, a moment that gave the morning the feel of a family gathering as much as a contest.

More than three dozen keiki and their parents filled the harbor, where the hot, sunny weather did not push families away. Children ages 3 through 13 took part in the catch-and-release outing, and registration came with a hot dog and cold beverage. A prize tent made sure every child who hooked a fish had a chance to choose something fun, keeping the event simple and built for young anglers rather than seasoned competitors.

Local fisherman Gordon Higa helped widen that access again this year, sponsoring at least four young fishers, including a pair from Eleele. Higa has supported keiki anglers for years, beginning with two mainland children whose registration he covered when they did not have enough money to join. His role has become part of the tournament’s identity: he is glad when children catch fish, but his bigger goal is making sure they can be on the water in the first place.

The tournament’s setup reflected that same practical, shoreline-centered spirit. Pop-up tents were placed across from the harbor office and U.S. Coast Guard Station Kauai, putting the action in the middle of Nawiliwili’s working waterfront. The state Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation says Nawiliwili Small Boat Harbor sits about two miles southwest of Līhue and includes 82 berths, five multi-hull moorings, a landing pier, a two-lane launch ramp, a vessel washdown area, a loading dock, a fish hoist, a pump-out station and restrooms. Local planning documents describe the area as a major port facility with a small boat harbor and industrial district supporting harbor activity.

The Father’s Day tournament has been part of Kauai’s calendar for decades, with The Garden Island calling it the club’s 17th annual event in 2023, 18th annual in 2018, 15th annual in 2013 and third annual in 2002. Participation has ranged from more than 100 keiki in 2002 to nearly 80 in 2013 and more than 65 in 2019, and the event returned in 2022 after a two-year COVID-19 closure. The staying power comes from its low barrier to entry, its prizes, and the way it turns Nawiliwili into a place where children learn fishing beside their families.