As the sun sets, a light tradewind flutters small colored flags all over the Kewalo Harbor- each a different color depicting its own unique pelagic fish species. Flying these fish capture flags is all about celebrating your catch and bragging to your friends. It doesn’t matter if you are shore fishing or searching for a world record marlin, the relationship between fisherman, fish and sea is a magical bond. Fishermen spend a huge amount of their lives (some a lifetime) on the ocean traveling vast distances,eyes squinted on the horizon looking for signs of life and in turn fish under the ocean.

Walking around the harbor, Christina Henline is like a local celebrity. Many of the charter boats offering her a slab of fish to take home as shakas and hugs are exchanged. Christina Henline is the third generation owner of Sun Dot Marine Flags who singlehandedly supplies the fisherman around our state (and beyond) with these special flags. There is some debate on exactly where and when fish capture flags originated, but no question as to who the industry leader is carrying on this tradition as her family has been in business since the 1960s.

I had the privilege of fishing with Henline and her friends in the Spring Wahine Fishing Tournament put on by Ma’alaea Boat and Fishing Club- although as an alternate boat captain, as rules dictate that only female anglers are permitted. What a day it was with the tournament winning marlin already boarded by 730am. The women continued to land fish all day including a mahi (dorado), hebi (short billed marlin), ono(wahoo), and another tournament category winning aku (skipjack tuna). We were one ahi short of what is known as a clean sweep, which is landing each of Hawaii’s primary pelagic fish. But after all the reeling, fighting, and beers consumed, the best moment was watching Christina raise her flags as we came into the harbor.

Henline has grown her online store to include fish flag hats, t-shirts and other merchandise so you can take your catch and your fish tales with you.

www.fishflags.com

See you on the water!

Sean Doyle