+ all past other events

 

---

MISS REEF PANAMA WINS THE 2010 WORLD MISS REEF TITLE

Hawaii - November 14, 2010 - The Reef Hawaiian Pro was on hold yesterday, but the beach at Haleiwa was still packed with spectators in lieu of the first ever World Miss Reef Hawaiian Pro, presented by Seven Tiki Rum. Eleven Miss Reef hopefuls from around the world emerged on stage at the Reef Hawaiian Pro contest site at Ali’i Beach Park on the North Shore of Oahu for a piece of a $10,000 prize purse. In the end, Miss Reef Panama, Betzaida Herrera, won over the crowd, the judges and the viewers of the live webcast to be crowned the 2010 World Miss Reef.

The World Miss Reef Hawaiian Pro was just as competitive as any surf event to take place on the North Shore this winter. Regional Miss Reef contest winners from the Netherlands, Indonesia, Barbados, Peru, Panama, Argentina and the U.S. awed the judges with a diverse range of exotic beauty, poise and charm.

The judges, including Rob Machado, Mike Losness, Parker Coffin and Dean “Dingo” Morrison had the difficult task of narrowing down the Miss Reef contestants to the final three. After much deliberation, Miss Reef Argentina, Natalia Baccino, took third place, while Miss Reef Peru, Vanessa Tello, took second. Miss Reef Panama, Betzida Herrera’s first place win granted her $5000 and a guaranteed spot in the 2012 Miss Reef Calendar.

The World Miss Reef competition will be broadcast again via www.vanstriplecrownofsurfing.com during the remaining holding period of the Reef Hawaiian Pro, which will end on November 23rd.

Here is the vidoe recap:

---

Sherman Haupu took advantage of clear water to beat a record field of 350 tako divers, in the 23^rd annual Larry Libres Fishing and Diving Tournament, Saturday at Kanaha Beach Park.

 

The 350 divers were joined by 289 oama fisherman, making it the second biggest Libres tournament ever. Last year’s tournament drew 343 divers and 402 fisherman.

 

Haupu, a 33-year-old Pukalani resident, weighed his winning tako 90 minutes after the 8 a.m. start. “I got him in front of the lifeguard stand in the middle. It’s the first time I get one big one over there.”

 

It was also the first time that the East Maui Irrigation crew chief poked a tako outside of its’ hole. “I saw he was out of its’ hole, crossing the channel in the sand. I’ve done this contest three times, third one is the lucky one.”

 

After he bagged his catch, Haupu thought he might run out of time. The scale closed at 10:30, Haupu thought it was 10.

 

“I was worried about the time. I was fighting against the current,” Haupu said. Then he smiled, “I wish I had a boat to get back.”

 

Dean Hayashi, of Makawao, finally topped his wife, Lei, when he poked a four-pound, three-ounce tako, good enough for second place. Lei placed fifth in 2004, Dean had never placed.

 

“I found him way outside, on the left side, 200 yards out. The hole was all bust up, rocks on the outside. I thought someone got it already. He was way inside. Someone didn’t check it deep enough.”

 

Ekolu Garso, of Kahului, was the first of 77 divers to weigh their catch, reaching the scale at 9:06. Codie Miyake, a 12-year-old from Wailuku, had the last of 129 takos to hit the scale, weighing in at the 10:30 horn. Garso’s three-pound, eight-ounce octopus led the tournament until Haupu’s winner 24 minutes later.

 

Oama fisherman had a rough time. Only two oama were caught in the 13 & over division. Officials than had to measure other fish for the final three places. Kamuela Haupu, a Waihee School fifth-grader, won the 12 and under division while Jackie Taketa, of Kahului, won the 13 and over class.

 

The free tournament was sponsored by the Maui Boardsailing Association.

 

Tako

 

1. Sherman Haupu, Pukalani, 4 pounds, 11.5 ounces
2. Dean Hayashi, Makawao, 4-3
3. Efren Aguinaldo, Wailuku, 4-2.5
4. Julio Ramos, Haiku, 4-2
5. Ka’au Kanoholani,  3-13
6. Arnot Meyer, Kahului, 3-12
7. Eugene Vierra, Makawao, 3-11
8. Kendrick Oshita, Kahului, 3-9
9. Ekolu Garso, Kahului, 3-8
10.  Harry Yoshioka, Wailuku, 3-7.

 

Oama 12 & under

 

1. Kamuela Haupu, Wailuku, 14.7 cm
2. Kahealani Haupu,Wailuku, 14.5
3. Kylie Yagi, Kahului, 12.2
4. Jaden Texeira, Kula, 11.5
5. Lanakila Day, Makawao, 9.4

 

Oama 13 & over

 

1. Jackie Taketa, Kahului, 10.2 cm
2. Ipo Day, Makawao, 9.0
3. Kalei Haupu,Wailuku, 19.8 (veke)
4. Dillon Hema, Kahului, 19.7 (oio)
5. Kristy Tintiangco, Wailuku,  14 (kupipi)