Girls Rule … again Published June 28, 2007 By Senior Airman Erin Smith 15th Airlift Wing Public Affairs HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- One hundred-thirty Hickam Keiki slathered on sunscreen and headed to 32 acres of lake waters nestled in Ho'omaluhia Botanical Garden on June 22 for the free, 8th Annual Friends of Hickam Keiki Fishing Tournament. Each child who participated in the tournament went home with a prize, however, Friends of Hickam members joked that the Keiki Fishing Tournament's name would soon be changed to "The Gerboc Challenge." After a Gerboc family member took the prize for the second year in a row. Tournament winners included Nicole Gerboc, 9, and Jordan Bernhardy, 11, who caught nine and seven fish respectively. "It makes me very excited," said Nicole Gerboc, a 3-year tournament veteran. "I didn't think I would win. [My family and I] like to fish and my favorite animals are fish. I [went] fishing until I figured out the secret of catching them from the people we meet there." Peyton Killian, 11, was awarded first place in the girl's division for biggest fish with a 13-inch Tilapia. Isaac Caton, 5, won the boys award for biggest fish with a 10-inch fish. "My favorite part of the fishing tournaments is reeling in the fish," said Courtney Gerboc, 12. "You never know what size they are or how they may look." The FOH supplied the food, beverage, transportation, prizes, trophies, goody bags and volunteered their time prior to the day of the event totaling a cost of about $6,000. They also volunteered about 500 hours and the Air Force members volunteered more than 150 hours for the FOH Keiki Fishing Tournament. Friends of Hickam has the tournament broken up into categories-- one for boys and the other for girls. When the keiki caught a fish, volunteers from Hickam were standing ready to measure and log the length and remove it from the hook. Though the event was 'boys against girls,' sportsmanship and having fun were the main attraction. These topics were touched on by Col. JJ Torres, 15th Airlift Wing commander when he thanked Friends of Hickam for putting on the event and gave the keiki a pre-tourney pep talk. "This event is special since it caters to our entire Hickam ohana and provides an introduction to one of the many recreational opportunities here on the island," said Col. JJ Torres, 15th Airlift Wing commander. "We're out here to have fun today. Remember, sporting events should always be fun. Watch out for each other out there, take advantage of this great opportunity and enjoy your day." The Keiki seemed to take the talk to heart "All of the children and volunteers had a great time at the Keiki Fishing Tournament held by the Friends of Hickam," said Capt. Lisa Ryan, Hickam lead volunteer from Pacific Air Forces. "It was great to see all of the keiki helping each other and giving 'fishing tips' to their friends. The highlight of my day was seeing 5-year old Isaac Caton catch a 10-inch fish, which won him first place in the boys division for longest fish. And I was impressed when all of the children received a door prize at the end of the tourney, including fishing poles, tackle boxes, back packs and more. The Friends of Hickam really outdid themselves." Judging by the smiles on the faces of the 130 children, the event proved to be a success. And FOH's goal of maing the experience in Hawaii pleasurable and memorable for all members of the family, was deemed successful. "The event turned out well and everyone seemed happy," said Lance Terayama, Island Movers president and Friends of Hickam member. "It was a beautiful day and all the volunteers came out and worked well together. Colonel and Mrs. Torres also added a special touch with their enthusiasm. It was a great success for us and we look forward to doing this again next year." Until next year, girls have bragging rights and the boys will have stories about 'the one that got away." Friends of Hickam extends a heartfelt mahalo to the following individuals & businesses that have contributed their time and donated generously to make the 8th Annual Keiki Fishing Tournament a success. Tournament Committee Co-Chair: Lance Terayama - Island Movers, Inc. Clarence Apau - retired Kai Terayama - student, Iolani School Committee Members: June Takekawa - Island Movers, Inc. Jill Nakagawa - Tunista Pacific Rim SrA Erin Smith - Hickam Public Affairs Ray Fujii - Account Executives Steven Chow - The Pacific Law Group Paul Masuoka - Pacific Appliance Group Trudy Yamashita - Island Movers, Inc. Contributors/Volunteers: CLARENCE APAU - retired GERARD AUYONG - Hickam FCU DONALD BLUM - Waikiki Beach Condos ROBERT BORGER, Chaplain ROBERT BUCHANAN - The Danielson Company DAN BURCH - Shakespeare Tackle Co. KEVIN BURKETT - SWS Hawaii ROMY CACHOLA - Council Member District 7 DARRYL CHAI - Actus Lend Lease PEGGY CHASTEEN - Outrigger Hotels & Resorts SHEILA CHIMEL - PUEO Group Contracting LESLIE CHO - Ala Moana Hotel KELLEN CHOW - student, Punahou School STEVEN CHOW - The Pacific Law Group DAN CHUR - Robinson & Chur CINDY'S LEI & FLOWER SHOPPE LEONARD CIUFO - Admor Distributors/HVAC Products CLOCK & TROPHY HOUSE MELISSA CORDNER - Hickam FCU DAN DUNG - Morgan Stanley SCOTT DUNN - AccuCopy NORA FEUERSTEIN - Omega DEE FUJII - CQ Communications RAY FUJII - Account Executives DWAYNE FUJITANI - Horizon Lines DAVID GOMEZ - Hawaiian Dredging SIDNEY HAMADA - Flora Dec Sales ALAN HARUKI - Hawaii Import Parts ALAN HAYASHI - BAE Systems WES HEU RANDALL HO - Waimana Enterprises DUSTIN IMURA & KELCI KOMORI HIDE IMURA - All Islands Equipment DARWIN ING JOSIE ING - First Hawaiian Bank INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION & EVENT SERVICES GEORGE IRION - AIG Hawaii WAYNE ISERI - First Hawaiian Bank RODNEY IZUO - Izuo Brothers BETTE KALOHI - Hickam Public Affairs MIKE KIM - Punahou School PETER KIM - Yummy Restaurant Group TERRANCE LEE - Pyramid Insurance Centre ARNOLD LUM - attorney JONATHAN MADAMBA - Tunista Pacific Rim LINDY MARZO - LM Productions PAUL MASUOKA - Pacific Appliance Group ROBERT MCCONNELL - Outrigger Airport Hotels MWR Services RAYLENE NAGAI - Izuo Brothers JILL NAKAGAWA - Tunista Pacific Rim KYLE NAKAMURA - Tunista Pacific Rim QUAN NGUYEN - Papa Johns Pizza MIKE NITTA - Castle Resorts & Hotels GEORGE OKAMURA - George Okamura Atty @ Law STAN OMIZO - retired BRIAN PERRY - Penske Truck Leasing TONY RAMOS - retired Capt. LISA RYAN - PACAF DEREK SAKAGUCHI - PUEO Group Contracting MARY SARNO - Chenega Operations Services ROY SASUGA - Atlas Insurance Agency RICHARD SERIKAKU - CQ Communications SrA ERIN SMITH - Hickam Public Affairs ROBERT TAKAMATSU - Watanabe, Ing & Komeiji LLP JUNE TAKEKAWA - Island Movers, Inc. STEVE TAKEKAWA GERALD TAKEUCHI - Atlas Insurance Agency KAI TERAYAMA - student, Iolani School LANCE TERAYAMA - Island Movers, Inc. TAB TERAYAMA - Nanko Inc. COLONEL JJ TORRES - Commander, 15th AW Mrs. IRENE TORRES GEORGE TOYAMA - General Trades & Services BRIAN TSURUDA - Hawaiian Sun ROBIN UMEDA - MSH Distribution NORA WEATHERWAX - Ohana Hotels GORDON WONG - Tesoro CHRIS YAMADA - First Hawaiian Bank Mrs. Sherri Yamada WAYNE YAMAGUCHI - Love's Bakery ALAN YAMAMOTO - HMS Host TRUDY YAMASHITA - Island Movers, Inc. SOPHIA YOUNG - Korean Airlines MATT ZIMMERMAN - Island Divers Hawaii