KANEOHE, Hawaii -- Volunteers measure a fish caught during the 10th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament June 10, 2009 at the Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens. More than 170 children and their familes were treated to lunch and a Polynesian Culture Center demonstration before the fishing tournament began. The keiki caught a record-setting 449 fish at the tenth annual tournament. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
KANEOHE, Hawaii -- Stephanie Kafer, 8, beams with pride over her catch at the annual Keiki Fishing Tournament at Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens June 10, 2009. The family-friendly event has been hosted by the Friends of Hickam for 10 years now. Keiki caught a record-setting 449 fish this year. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
KANEOHE, Hawaii -- Faith Dalfonso, and her father Lt.Col. Ken Dalfonso, Pacific Air Forces Headquarters Security Forces deputy commander, stand at lakeside fishing during the 10th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament June 10, 2009, at the Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens. More than 170 children and their families were treated to lunch and a Polynesian Culture Center demonstration before the fishing tournament began. The keiki caught a record-setting 449 fish at the tenth annual tournament. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
KANEOHE, Hawaii -- Col. Russ Quinn, Pacific Air Forces Headquarters safety director, and his son Ryan, sat on the roots of an exotic tree in the gardens chatting about the fishing adventures they have been on in Australia and the main land and about the day's upcoming 10th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament June 10, 2009, at the Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens. The keiki caught a record-setting 449 fish at the tenth annual tournament. The gardens are 400 acres of geographically laid out botanic garden of endangered and rare plants with a network of trails and a 32-acre lake. The name, Ho'omaluhia, translates "to make a place of peace and tranquility." (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
KANEOHE, Hawaii -- Lucy Graham and family, as well as Kara Kuder and family, sit and eat hamburgers and hotdogs picnic style during the 10th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament June 10, 2009, at the Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens. More than 170 children and their families were treated to lunch and a Polynesian Culture Center demonstration before the fishing tournament began. The keiki caught a record-setting 449 fish at the tenth annual tournament. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
KANEOHE, Hawaii - Conrad Schmidt, 10, found a secluded hole to hide in and catch as many fish as possible during the 10th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament June 10, 2009, at the Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens. More than 170 children and their families were treated to lunch and a Polynesian Culture Center demonstration before the fishing tournament began. The keiki caught a record-setting 449 fish at the tenth annual tournament. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Mike Meares)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
HO'OMALUHIA PARK, KANEOHE, Hawaii -- Joseph Haines fishes during the Keiki Fishing Tournament held by Friends of Hickam June 2007. This year's tournament will be held June 2. See "Hickam Featured Links" for more information and application/registration forms. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Erin Smith)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
HO'OMALUHIA PARK, KANEOHE, Hawaii -- Children fish during the 9th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament, June 6, 2008, at Ho'omaluhia Botanical Gardens, Kaneohe, Hi. About 150 children came out to the event, sponsored by Friends of Hickam. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Erin Smith)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Annual keiki fishing tournament scheduled

Published March 29, 2010
By Staff Sgt. Mike Meares
15th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR HICKAM, Hawaii -- The 11th annual Friends of Hickam Keiki Fishing Tournament is scheduled for June 2 from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Ho'omaluhia Park, Kaneohe, Hawaii, "a place that causes you to be at peace or serenity."

This free event, open to children ages 5 to 12, is limited to the first 250 children to register and is free to Hickam Air Force Base dependents. All fishing poles, bait, food, prizes, etc. will be provided by Friends of Hickam.

Children will be fishing a 600 yard section of a pond at the park stocked with small mouth bass, catfish, red devil fish and tilapia. Fish caught will be measured by length and the minimum qualifying fish must be no smaller than four inches. In the event of a tie, tie breaker will be determined by the keiki who is the youngest in age. Fishing marshals will be posted in fishing areas to measure the catch and will be equipped with extra fishing tackle and bait.

Though every child will walk away with a prize, additional prizes will be awarded in both boys and girls divisions. Trophies for first, second and third place for the "Largest Fish" categories will be awarded. The "Most Fish" category will be awarded to the one child who has the largest number of fish caught.

To register, parents must fill out a registration form and return it to the 15th Airlift Wing Public Affairs office. The deadline for registration is May 16. To be eligible, children must have name of an accompanying parent, guardian or escort and signed liability waiver. One adult is needed for every 3 children at the event.

Mandatory bus transportation will be provided to and from Hickam to Ho'omaluhia Park. Check in is at 10:30 a.m. at the Hickam Base Exchange Burger King parking lot.

Participants should bring walking shoes, light rain gear and a blanket/mat, or folding lawn chair to sit on. Insect repellent and sunscreen are also strongly recommended. Coolers are not authorized as snacks, beverages and lunch will be provided by the Friends of Hickam.

For more information, contact Staff Sgt. Mike Meares at 449-1531.