The Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament, which was scheduled to run from August 8 through 15 in Kailua-Kona, has been cancelled for this year due to COVID-19.  The tournament, which began in 1959, plans to return in 2021.  This would have been the 61st tournament.

“Our concerns remain focused on the health and well-being of all involved in our fishing tournament including our volunteers, anglers from around the world, Kona’s finest captains and crews and our tournament officials and team members,” said Peter Fithian, HIBT Founder. “We will be back next summer, ready to welcome all of our old and new friends from around the world to fish Kona’s now famous waters.”

The Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament is the second oldest big game sport fishing event in the world. The five-day tournament is built on prestige, trophies and strict International Game Fish Association rules for world records and does not include cash prizes.

The Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament has attracted a worldwide audience and elite fishing enthusiasts from around the world including Australia, Bahamas, Bermuda, British Isles, China, Fiji, Ireland, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, Papua New Guinea, Portugal, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Tahiti, Palau, Marshall Islands, New Caledonia and Vanuatu. The iconic tournament has actively promoted the Kona coast as a world-class big game fishing destination for six decades and provides a long-term economic foundation for Kona’s charter fleet.

HIBT is credited with creating the standards and operating procedures now widely accepted by big game fishing tournaments worldwide.

Updates will be at the HIBT website, https://hibtfishing.com/