Not sure what to think of this.

The good thing is the go -to weapon of choice for the Islanders is a club, not a gun. On Kawaii at least.

It was actually a little more like a beat down and taking fish back.....long long history here. I know the family involved, not condoning what they did, but there is more to it. I was able to dive Molokai last Feb with no problems and was even taken out by locals with a Haole in tow! 

I know no one ones the Ocean, but allegedly....Dr. Wong brings groups of divers to Molokai waters, slays tons of fish and brings them back to Oahu. I didn't see it first hand but I know the locals feel much different about their waters than we do here.

We shared any fish shot with locals and took orders even before we hopped in.  Going back again soon, anyone wanna join??

Matt

I don't know the assailants involved, but I know Dr. Daryl Wong and consider him a friend.  I've also heard grumblings about Dr. Wong shooting fish and some people resent him for being a successful dentist and well known speargun maker, but yet still shoots fish to (allegedly) sell.  Daryl is a third generation (licensed) commercial fisherman.  It is a part of who he is.  He still does it in part to honor his father and grandfather as that's how they supported their families. 

I bought my first real speargun used, fourth hand, and emailed Daryl about the purchase.  It is the Mahi gun and I f&$king love that gun.  Balanced perfectly, powered just right and I can brain a 4" blacksmith from 12' away.  He told me to send it back to him and he'd refinish it for me.  He was even going to pay for return shipping.  I felt bad so I didn't send it although I eventually sent it in after a few years of putting additional scratches on it.  He made it look brand new and sent me an additional handle because he had a batch of bad handles although he wasn't sure the one I had was from that batch. 

The second Wong gun I bought was a hybrid.  I bought it from a guy on Oahu but because I couldn't see it I was reluctant to pull the trigger.  I was telling Daryl about the gun and offered to have the seller drop it off at his dental office and he'd take a look.  He called and said it was a fine gun and I was getting a hell of a deal.  I think it was $200 for a 55" hybrid with three shafts.  Daryl made it look brand new and shipped it to me...on his dime. 

Yep, I'm a loyal fan of Wong guns and of the man.  If you think I'm special in anyway, then you just have to look up reports of other Wong gun owners and often times non Wong gun owners and you'll often hear the similar stories of his generosity and general goodness.  Or ask any organizer of spearfishing contests or fundraisers and see what they have to say about Daryl's generosity. 

I visited the island with my two young daughters and Daryl had us over for a BBQ at his house.  He's repeatedly invited me to dive with him but I haven't had the fortune of lining up schedules.  Also, I've heard he is a badass diver with inhumanly short surface intervals.  He would dive down to 70' for almost two minutes, come up for a minute and repeat that same dive.  Guys I consider good divers who have dove with him were humbled.  I would be just embarrassed.

All that is to say Daryl has thousands of friends all over the world and many of them visit the islands.  Ever the generous host and friend, I'm sure he takes many of them out and takes them to spots that he knows they can get fish. 

I don't know your friends or why they felt a beat down and taking of personal property was warranted.  Apparently they haven't been able to convince the law their actions were justified either. 

Nate