Question: Why isn’t catch-and-release allowed for trout at Koke‘e?
Answer: Because rainbow trout are somewhat delicate fish and have fairly low survival rates when caught and released, depending on how they are handled, said Dennis Shinno, an aquatic biologist in the state Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Aquatic Resources.
Stocked rainbow trout — which will be available for fishing this summer at Koke‘e Public Fishing Area (PFA) on Kauai — are generally more “environmentally tolerant” than their wild cousins, but they are still cold-water fish, Shinno noted. Warmer water temperatures during the summer at Koke‘e could result in increased mortality if catch-and-release fishing was allowed, he said.
The Department of Land and Natural Resources announced last week that fishing season for rainbow trout in the Koke‘e PFA will begin June 17. Fishing hours will be from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Sept. 30. Anglers must have a valid state freshwater game fishing license.
The best fishing will be at the Pu‘u Lua Reservoir because it is stocked, unlike the streams and irrigation ditch systems throughout the area. However, even at the reservoir, fishing this summer is expected to be only average because just 24,000 juvenile trout were stocked last year, the DLNR said. That’s down from about 30,000 stocked in 2015 and more than 32,000 in 2014, according to our check of previous seasonal announcements.
The daily bag limit will be six rainbow trout per angler, half last year’s limit.
As you noted in your question, catch-and-release will be prohibited; “all trout caught must be retained by the angler and count toward the bag limit,” the DLNR said in the news release announcing the summer season.
For complete rules on rainbow trout fishing at the Koke‘e PAR, see the Division of Aquatic Resources’ website at dlnr.hawaii.gov/dar or call the DAR office on Oahu at 832-5009 or on Kauai at 274-3344.
Q: Thanks for the information about the abandoned-vehicle auctions (808ne.ws/58kline), but there are still a lot of junked cars dumped in our area and they don’t appear to be in salable condition. They’re stripped. Who do we call to take them away?
A: According to the municipal government, “an abandoned vehicle is a vehicle parked on public roadways that has not been attended to for more than 24 hours. A derelict vehicle is a vehicle parked on public roadways that is missing major components and rendered inoperable.” You can report either type of vehicle for removal at 808ne.ws/derveh, an online form handled by the city’s Department of Customer Services. Or you may call 768-2530 to report the problem to the Motor Vehicle Control Branch.
Q: Bumper stickers are one thing, but I’m seeing more people put logos and things on their car windows. Isn’t that illegal?
A: Yes, it might be, according to the specific circumstances. The Honolulu Police Department states on its website that it is against the law for motorists “to place any sign, poster, or nontransparent material on the front windshield, side wings, or side or rear windows of a vehicle which obstructs the driver’s clear view of the road.”
Mahalo
On our last visit to Hawaiian Memorial Park Cemetery, we stopped at the flower concession near the entrance. When we tried to pay for our purchase, we were told the woman who was just leaving had paid for our flowers. We were able to call out and thank her as she left, but I can’t get over how generous she was and how I needed to thank her publicly so everyone could know how much aloha people have in Hawaii. — Truly grateful.
Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Honolulu 96813; call 529-4773; fax 529-4750; or email kokualine@staradvertiser.com.
