The Kamalii Challenge | Port Allen Fishing Club

The Kamalii Challenge, born in 2019, is Hawaiʻi's largest keiki fishing tournament, attracting over 2000 participants, including 722 Keiki Lawaiʻa between the ages of 3 and 18, for four consecutive years. This community event invites the entire ʻōhana to Port Allen Small Boat Harbor for a free day of fishing, food, and fun, made possible by over 100 sponsors and more than 300 volunteers.

Beyond the smiles on tournament day, the Kamalii Challenge is a vital community-building event, reminiscent of a typical keiki's first luau. Contributions come from local community members: Mr. Ichida provides the ahi for poke and sashimi, Uncle Jr. prepares beef stew, Aunty Nikki decorates with flowers, and Uncle Richard organizes high school cousins to set up tents and tables. While sponsors bless the event with thousands of dollars in prizes for the keiki, the real prize is the strengthening of community ties.

The Kamalii Challenge follows a barbless hook, catch and release model, emphasizing the importance of pono fishing practices. Each invasive species caught is brought to the fish station to be cleaned and used for lunch, contributing to local sustainability efforts. Last year alone, over 150 toau and taape were removed from the waters, helping native species thrive. This initiative aims to instill the value of resource management in young participants, ensuring that our moʻopuna maintain their kuleana and connection to the land.

Hosted by the Port Allen Fishing Club.