AP from The Honolulu Advertiser, Sports page 1

Honolulu Hi (June 20 1999) - HIBA organizers have canceled this year's 41st
Hawaiian International Billfish Tournament off Kailua-Kona on the Big Island.

Tournament Chairman Roy Morioka issued a statement yesterday that said unforseen circumstances delayed the tournament's planning process, and many regular teams made other plans.

The annual 5-day tournament, which began in 1959, had been scheduled for August. Next year's tournament is scheduled to begin July 29th Morioka said.

"This delay will allow HIBT to devote the necessary time and effort toward producing the world's best billfish tournament everyone has come to expect from the HIBT", he said.

"Unfortunately we are unable to host this tournament any sooner", Morioka said. "Many of our key volunteers are involved in the IGFA International Tournament of Champions to be held next March in Kona."

Sponsored by the International Game Fish Association , the March tournament will be hosted by the HIBA.

The Mauna Kea Sports Fishing Club of Japan won last year's HIBT, which drew 61 teams from around the world.