I just got off the phone with Darrell Tanaka and was told a Maui Invasive Species Tournament has been arranged and organized for November 9th, 2008. Hard Rock Cafe will be hosting it, and your application can be picked up at the Maui Sporting Goods Store located in Wailuku.

For more information, you can e-mail Darrell Tanaka at sunshineorchids@gmail.com or Brian Yoshikawa at msg@aloha.net

Eligible fish are Roi, Taape and Toau.

There will also be a cash raffle held, with the proceeds going to benefit fellow diver Sean Stodelle. If you are a vendor / manufacturer and you wish to donate a prize for the raffle, PLEASE contact either Darrell or Brian via the e-mails I provided for more information. Also keep Sean and his family in your thoughts.

Mahaloz,

AB

How did the tournament go? I wanted to make it to Lahaina to meet some of the shooters at the Hard Rock but my starter went bad in my truck and I ended up working on that Sunday morning instead.

Was it a success? I've been seeing some decent sized Roi over here on the south side lately. By the way, what exactly is a Toau? I don't know that name. Thanks for any info anyone can provide!

Aloha and Shaka!

Doug

Yes, I was the recipient of the outpouring of ALOHA from so many in the diving community. I was recently diagnosed with malignant and terminal Brain Cancer and the dive community immediately jumped together to assist.

The biggest thing was that everybody came back safe. The Invasive Species were hit good, and everybody had a great time. The official results can be seen here on the Hawaii SKin Diver post: http://www.hawaiiskindiver.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=6975&st=0&sk=t&sd=a
This is a rather long post, but it explains where the fish went, the dive conditions, etc and is a good read if yo want to see how not only a community, but an entire island(s) can come together to better the reef.

Pics of the event can be seen at my sister's site: www.savestodysbrain.com

The "THANK YOU" Letter just finally got published in our local newspaper with a link here: http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/511709.html

Several members here; The Betuas (especially Angela), the Spearfishing Planet staffers, and others, assisted as well and to all of them I say 'Many Mahalos'. You have no idea the amount of emotional overload I felt seeing so many come together.

The push in Dive Safety has led to what we refer to as the 'One Up, One Down' method of diving. As the recipient of so much ALOHA, I saw it "One DIVER DOWN, One HUNDRED UP!"

Aloha Stody!

Sounds like it was a great success, and I wish Rick and I could have made it. We were thinking about it, but know we were there in spirit for sure! :)

When you are in the mood to get away, you're welcome here anytime - you know that!

Aloha,

Angxo