We met this guy on the beach in Puakō. He had just come in from hunting Tako (octopus). He let the little boy I was with, play with one of them in the ocean pool we were swimming in. Now we follow his adventures through instagram. New age social encounters that connect you to rad humans. He dives around the waters of West Hawaii, providing food for his family and friends. He also feels passionately about some of the same issues that we feel are affecting our community. Read more about this rad free diver from Hilo and how the problems in Puakō are affecting his future.
Full name:
Regan Mizuguchi
Where are you currently?
I stay in Hilo on the weekdays to work and live in Waimea on weekends and days off to play.
Favorite Sundot Marine Flag?
The Diver Down Flag
If we made an octopus flag, would you fly it?
Yes if there was a Tako flag I'd definitely use it, as long as it doesn't break any laws.
Favorite fish/ocean creature to catch?
I love to dive for Tako I do it more for exercise and to put food on the table for me and friends.
I also like to fish for Ulua but being with my grand kids keeps me from doing that lately.
Favorite fish/ocean creature to eat?
I like to eat any seafood but my favorite fish to eat is ono.
We know you love to eat out, where is your favorite place to go on the Big Island?
I like to eat at Hawaiian Style Cafe in Waimea because I can never finish all my food and leave there stuffed lol
Tell us about your most amazing fishing adventure.
My most amazing fishing adventure was while Ulua fishing in deep waters off a cliff in Ka'u, my fishing partner hooked onto a huge shark. We took turns fighting it for 3 hours. When we had it against the cliff, we noticed it was a Great White around 14 feet! We had a good look at it before we cut the line and it swam off.
Who is your biggest fishing influence?
My biggest fishing influence was my Dad. He took us fishing at an early age. By age 5 I could rig up a pole myself. I started off catching O'opu in streams.
Tell us about your job? Do you fish full time or do you have other money making specialties?
I fish and dive for recreation, exercise and to keep my sanity since I work at a school on the Eastside.
Dream fishing destination?
My dream fishing destination probably would be Alaska. I like to eat Salmon, Halibut and Crabs.
Quote or saying you live by?
I try to not let things that I cannot control bother me.
How do you feel about fishing regulations in Hawaii? What needs to change?
Current fishing regs in Hawaii is fine. What needs to change is, before making any new regulations, people need to actually be fisherman or divers.
I snorkel in restricted areas and see less fish there than areas that are non-restricted. The Roi population is booming in the restricted areas and they are of record size.
Research showed that the amount of fish the Roi eats in its life span has more impact than any one fisherman could do. Every diver I know will kill any Roi they see, which in turn helps the rest of the native species. Banning fishing of any kind in this day and age only creates the perfect environment for the Roi to flourish.
Restrictions should instead be focused on sewage, suntan lotion, chemicals, and fertilizers seeping into the ocean. These things are impacting the reefs and sea life more than fishermen or divers.
Why do you love fishing?
I love to fish and dive it helps put food on the table and its just good for the soul just ask any fisherman.
#SUNDOTOHANA
We spoke further with Regan about one of the many issues affecting our community, the cesspool problems in Puak
ō. There really are so many parts to a healthy reef. One thing we can do is to raise awareness of what is happening around us and become party of the movement. Whether it be to preserve, improve, protect, fight or just to better understand how our human impacts are affecting a precious resource.
This is a great article on Clean Water for Reefs in Puak
ō.
And if you can't read the article, please just watch this quick video below.
