"All Things Are Possible For Those Who Believe"

Moanalua High School Varsity Football team took on Kalaheo High School on Friday, October 23, 2009 and what a game it was. Moanalua was the first to score, with Kalaheo taking the lead at half time 14-7. In the second half,
neither team would score until 4 minutes left in the 4th quarter, when Moanalua quarterback Adam Francisco, #7 threw a pass to receiver Essaye Villaver, #10 for a touchdown to tie the game 14-14 with 2:32 left on the clock. It was "chicken skin" all the way. Then with 52 seconds remaining on the clock, Moanalua held Kalaheo back as the game went into overtime. In overtime, Moanalua was the first to score bringing them to 21-14, and then it was Kalaheo's turn to try and score. Kalaheo ran in for a touchdown, but their kick for the extra point was blocked, because the entire Moanalua defensive line put up a wall. Congratulations to Moanalua, final score 21-20. The Moanalua Varsity team ended their season, 8-0 in the OIA White Division putting them in the playoffs. With this win, they advance to the Championship on November 6, 2009 at the Aloha Stadium. As Coach Martinez (photo above w/Jordan Tanioka) quoted, "all things are possible for those who believe."

"Manoa Paniolo "vs" Kapahulu Raiders"

On October 17, 2009, I was invited to Crane Park next to Kaimuki High school to witness two Jr. Pee Wee Football teams take on a task to defeat the other. The age group I was told, was between 8-10 years old and the teams playing were, the "Kapahulu Raiders" coached by Nui Uahinui and the "Manoa Paniolo" coached by Phillip Buchanan. The Kapuhulu Raiders showed a lot of spirit and their pass plays were on target, but unfortunately at the end of the game, the Manoa Paniolo ran off with a win for a final score of 26-7 over the Kapahulu Raiders. "Congratulations" to both team for an "awesome" show of sportsmanship (see more photos - right).

"Nalea Trujillo" The Winning Field Goal

Nalea Trujillo who is a freshman on the JV Moanalua Football team was also on the Ka'oi Rampage Soccer Team who represented Hawaii at the the U.S. Youth Soccer Far West Regionals in Las Vegas ( Hawaii State Cup GU12 Championship) and made it to the semifinals.

She also competed in the San Diego Surf Cup, "The Champion of Champions tournament", and tonight, October 16, 2009, Nalea Trujillo is Moanalua JV Freshman Football "Champion of Champs." With 3 seconds left on the clock and Aiea JV football team calling two times out to put the pressure on Nalea, it didn't hold up. Nalea stated, "yes she had butterflies" and was breathing too fast, but her teammates told her to calm down, takeout her mouth piece and breath. When it was time to kick the ball she just did what she had to do, and the ball went right between the goal up rights. For a second she couldn't recall what happened, but when she looked down and saw the Aiea JV Football players on the ground at her feet, she realized that she made the final winning field goal. The final score over Aiea JV Football team, 17-14. "Congratulations" to Nalea Trujillo and the Moanalua JV Football team (more photos - select see more photos at right).

"Island Warriors Las Vegas Style"

I had the opportunity to meet with the Mr. Nua Agatonu (left-center back photo), Offensive Coordinator for Liberty High School and President of the Island Warriors in Henderson, Nevada.

Mr. Nua related how the name Island Warriors came about.

Nua moved to Las Vegas in 1999 and played arena football in Las Vegas and got together with other Polynesians and with the permission of the arena commissioners created their own Polynesians team and called themselves "Island Warriors".

Then in 2003, they formed the kids division youth tackle football with only 32 players and ended up with their first championship game that first year and gave them the name "Island Warriors" which consist of kids in grades 7-9. In 2004 they ended up with 4 teams, 2005, 6 teams to cover all 6 divisions. They got so big that they had to switch to the NYFL, Nevada Youth Foothball League, because this way the local kids age and weight could serve them better. In 2006 they ended up with 8 teams and over 200 kids and had to break away from the NYFL and move from the middle of the city to Henderson, Nevada and a feeder program into Liberty High School which has become a "local school" as they call it and created 3 teams,

(1) is their Prep Division 2,3 and 4th graders coached by Conrad Waialae (2) is their Elementry Division 5 and 6th graders coached by Samson Nacua and (3) is their Middle School 7 and 8th graders coached by Robert Kaaihui and 3 top 8th graders in the nation were selected to play First All-American Bowl that is made up of the top 8th graders from around the country and they were, Albert Tai, Niko Kapeli and Anu Soloman of the Island Warriors. In 2008, Liberty Middle School football team is the leader in the Southern Nevada Youth season (more photos - select "see more photos - listed under "Events").

2009 Hawaiian Island Martial Arts Tournament

On Sunday, October 11, 2009, I was invited by Alfred Dela Cruz to their 2009 Hawaiian Island Martial Arts Tournament held at Pearl City High School Gym located at 2100 Hookiekie Street, Pearl City, Hawaii 96782. The following sponsers were, Alfred Dela Cruz, Al Dacascoc, Ed Louis, Rick Alemany, "Grand Master" and Lee Manibog.

The age groups were from 5 years and under, and 18 years and over and the Black Belt Grand Champion Kata went to Todd Dunphy (photo right with Grand Master, Rick Alemany). Congratulations to all who participated and especially to Todd Dunphy (more photos, select "see more photos").

"Heart Break Ridge LVSSA Softball Championship Tournament 2009"

Every year in October, they hold their SSA Softball AA Championship Tournament in Las Vegas and this year it was scheduled on October 2,3,4, 2009. It was an invitation for me to cover the story and take photos of the Family Stones softball team coached by Mr. Ben Naki (photo below). This year, there were seven teams participating including the Family Stones, Hawaiians, Hawaiians-Lanakila, Maui, Guam, Team 808, and one mainland team, Oklahoma. Just to summarize the entire event this year, the AA Division 50 and over went to the Hawaiians team (24) over the Maui team (10) for the AA Division LVSAA Softball Championship Tournament. The MVP went

to the Hawaiians team Pitcher, Bobby Brown. The weather was beautiful on the first day of play with clear skies, and a full moon that evening. The next day brought a chill and wind storm that left the Family Stones softball team out in the cold and very disappointed during the playoffs on Saturday. I was told this was their "worst" year that they have ever played. If it wasn't for the loss on Saturday against the Hawaiians-Lanakila team who won (6-19), they would have advanced to the finals on Sunday . I want to say "Congratulations" to all who participated, especially to the Family Stones who invited me this year! See more photos, "click here." Select "SOFTBALL."