Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 hour ago
You’ve heard the saying “like shooting fish in a barrel.” When Hawaiian spearfisherman Justin Lee dove into Lake Powell for the National Spearfishing Championship held the last two days of April, fish in a barrel might’ve actually had a better chance of survival.
Lee came from behind to claim the national free-dive spearfishing title — killing 82 fish over the two-day event, including a tournament-best 20.4-pound carp. The title validates the years of work he’s put into the sport, but it also celebrates his hometown’s way of life.
In this episode, Logan and Justin dive deep into Hawaiian history and culture, spearfishing, and what made Justin the hunter and spearfisherman he is today.
TOPICS COVERED:
● Hawaiian Culture and History
● Hunting in Hawaii and Spearfishing
● Ocean Encounters and Experiences
LISTEN: youtube.com/@BlackRifleCoffeePodcast/videos | podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/black-rifle-coffee-podcast/id1501597193 | open.spotify.com/show/2ZUhk9HxrpjNVge0BELaf1
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 – Justin’s Upbringing: Spear Fishing, Hunting, and Harvesting off the Land
06:28 – Justin’s Mom: Growing up in the Philippines and the Culture of Moloka‘i
11:40 – The “Pigeon” Accent
13:37 – Justin’s Dad: Beach Boy, Hunter, and Spear Fisherman
15:12 – Hawaiian Chiefs, Kings, and What War Tools Were Made From
19:16 – Sandalwood Oils and the Way of the Land: Reforestation Efforts
27:39 – The Chief of War Show: Following the History of Hawaii & James Cook
31:26 – The Origins of the Hawaii People, Animals, and War Tools
42:56 – Western Marlin Backstory, Navigating Shark Aggression, & Bull Shark Rodeos
53:08 – Competitive Spearfishing: Training for Diving and Similarities to Bowhunting
01:09:18 – Ocean Encounters, Intelligence of Octopus, and Sperm Whales
01:20:15 – Laverne the Shark, Tiger Sharks, & Oceanic White Tip Sharks
01:24:27 – Dangerous Experiences: Earthquakes and Alone in the Dark Ocean
01:32:14 – The Devastation of the Maui Fires
01:35:31 – Justin’s Dad’s War Stories and Finishing Thoughts
🥇Explore Black Rifle’s Award-Winning Coffee: blackriflecoffee.com
✅ Subscribe, like, and leave your comments below to join the conversation on everything from coffee roasting techniques to Evan's unfiltered thoughts on life, business, and creativity.
FIND US ON INSTAGRAM:
BRCC: @blackriflecoffee
BRCC Podcast: @blackriflecoffeepodcast
Evan Hafer: instagram.com/evanhafer
#BlackRifleCoffee #podcast #hawaii #spearfishing #hunting #hawaiianculture
You’ve heard the saying “like shooting fish in a barrel.” When Hawaiian spearfisherman Justin Lee dove into Lake Powell for the National Spearfishing Championship held the last two days of April, fish in a barrel might’ve actually had a better chance of survival.
Lee came from behind to claim the national free-dive spearfishing title — killing 82 fish over the two-day event, including a tournament-best 20.4-pound carp. The title validates the years of work he’s put into the sport, but it also celebrates his hometown’s way of life.
In this episode, Logan and Justin dive deep into Hawaiian history and culture, spearfishing, and what made Justin the hunter and spearfisherman he is today.
TOPICS COVERED:
● Hawaiian Culture and History
● Hunting in Hawaii and Spearfishing
● Ocean Encounters and Experiences
LISTEN: youtube.com/@BlackRifleCoffeePodcast/videos | podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/black-rifle-coffee-podcast/id1501597193 | open.spotify.com/show/2ZUhk9HxrpjNVge0BELaf1
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 – Justin’s Upbringing: Spear Fishing, Hunting, and Harvesting off the Land
06:28 – Justin’s Mom: Growing up in the Philippines and the Culture of Moloka‘i
11:40 – The “Pigeon” Accent
13:37 – Justin’s Dad: Beach Boy, Hunter, and Spear Fisherman
15:12 – Hawaiian Chiefs, Kings, and What War Tools Were Made From
19:16 – Sandalwood Oils and the Way of the Land: Reforestation Efforts
27:39 – The Chief of War Show: Following the History of Hawaii & James Cook
31:26 – The Origins of the Hawaii People, Animals, and War Tools
42:56 – Western Marlin Backstory, Navigating Shark Aggression, & Bull Shark Rodeos
53:08 – Competitive Spearfishing: Training for Diving and Similarities to Bowhunting
01:09:18 – Ocean Encounters, Intelligence of Octopus, and Sperm Whales
01:20:15 – Laverne the Shark, Tiger Sharks, & Oceanic White Tip Sharks
01:24:27 – Dangerous Experiences: Earthquakes and Alone in the Dark Ocean
01:32:14 – The Devastation of the Maui Fires
01:35:31 – Justin’s Dad’s War Stories and Finishing Thoughts
🥇Explore Black Rifle’s Award-Winning Coffee: blackriflecoffee.com
✅ Subscribe, like, and leave your comments below to join the conversation on everything from coffee roasting techniques to Evan's unfiltered thoughts on life, business, and creativity.
FIND US ON INSTAGRAM:
BRCC: @blackriflecoffee
BRCC Podcast: @blackriflecoffeepodcast
Evan Hafer: instagram.com/evanhafer
#BlackRifleCoffee #podcast #hawaii #spearfishing #hunting #hawaiianculture
