6/16/25 – DAR makes a splash at the Hawai‘i Outdoor Expo
Summer is the perfect time to celebrate the great outdoors with friends and family. This Father’s Day weekend DAR participated in the Hawai‘i Outdoor Expo at the Neal Blaisdell center, our first Blaisdell expo since Covid put the brakes on many of our outreach opportunities. We were there to participate with our Sportfishin’ SimulatorTM.
As it would not be pono to target the ulua and ʻōʻio that call the Blaisdell ponds home, DAR staff instead provided the fishing simulator to the delight of several hundred attendees of all ages. The simulator offered both experienced anglers and first-timers the chance to fight sportfish such as marlin, sailfish, trout, and bass with realistic pull synchronized to footage of the fish on the line.
In addition to the simulator, staff including Pua Furuuchi, Richard Beebe, and Charles Lee were on hand to give away swag and provide insight into fishing in Hawai‘i through handouts such as regulation booklets and NOAA’s fish measurement guides. Additionally, visitors had the opportunity to learn about the Hawai‘i Marine Recreational Fishing Survey (HMRFS) for fishermen who were interested in adding their voice and experience to the collective knowledge of our managed fisheries.
Thank you to the hundreds of attendees who visited us on Father’s Day weekend. We hope to see you at the next expo, and out on the water even sooner than that!