MOLOKAI 2010 STRONGMAN - "PETER PALE" - NA PU'UWAI 1ST ANNUAL FITNESS EXPO

Today, I am flying over to Molokai for the "Strongman" competition. What an adventure. This was my first trip to Molokai and friends told me not to blink because the airport is a very small one. Yes indeed it was. I was surprised that we found the airport, "whew" it was like going back into the twilight zone. There was hardly anyone around when we landed, except for several men that looked like NFL football players. I later learned it was the Strongman crew from Honolulu that was helping out for the event. The team leader was Mr. Tony Leiato and they were nice enough to offer me a ride if I didn't already have one. I have to say the people of Molokai are "awesome" and have so much "ohana."

I spoke to Tony Leiato (photo top right) who gave me some insight on the Strongman competition. His good friend, Peter Pale (photo top left) is the coordinator of this year's Na Pu'uwai 1st Annual Fitness Expo competition on Molokai. He said the Strongman competition here is specifically for Molokai, and is the brain child of Peter Pale, long time athlete, football player who now resides on Molokai. He wanted to do a strongman show to get the public involved in the health and fitness aspect of life. Why not bring everybody out to watch people do crazy strength feats like pulling a truck, flipping a 800 lb. tire, Atlas Stone lifting, bench press, dead lift and things like this. Tony also related that the Strongman event has been going on for the past 3-4 years. So who should we be watching in this year's competition? I am told that Peter Pale is the strongest guy on Molokai right now and this is the first year he has opened it to outside competitors from the outer islands. Should be interesting.

Well, today's competition was something to see. The master of ceremonies was "CHAMP" (photo right) Kaneshiro, and he was the highlight of this competition, funny to the max! I am surprised the contestants could concentrate... Anyway, I met up with Peter Pale and he explained that this is the 1st Annual Fitness Expo. This year they decided to combine the Health Fair and 10k run walk which is usually held during the winter months, with the Strongman Competition. At today's event, there was lots of food, and educational booths dealing with fitness. I want to congratulate Peter Pale on winning this year's competition and keeping the trophy on Molokai, and also for continuing to be the "strongest man" on Molokai. Congratulations also goes out to all the other contestants and again, thank you Peter Pale, Tony Leiato, Ricky Morris, Andy Ramos and to Mr. Joe Dillon, for my ride to and from the event. See more photos, "CLICK HERE".

Pacific Big Boyz JV "2010 Champions" - Waikele Wild Cats over Westside Warriors 62-6

"Wow" is all I can say. No, I was not at a basketball game. Today, the Pacific Big Boyz football championship was held at Keehi Lagoon. I don't mean to make it sound like a one sided game, but the JV Waikele Wild Cats was not only well prepared, but they reminded me of the U.S. Navy "Blue Angels," very precise. The Wildcats must have done their homework because they could do no wrong against the Westside Warriors. "Congratulations" to coach Roy Tavares, JV Coach of the Year, and to #54 Mark Failauga "MVP of the Year" and #24 Timmy Riviera "Defensive Player of the Year" and to his assistant coaches and his team the JV Waikele Wild Cats 2010 Champions!

Prior to the start of the game, I spoke to coach Roy Tavares about his thoughts on today's game. He said the whole team is ready to go. Two weeks ago, they set a goal to make it to the championship game. They made it through the semi-finals by making some adjustments to strengthen their offense, and keeping their defense alert and aware of their positions. We will try to wear the other team out and throw the ball more, but if need be, we will turn to the running game. So far things have worked out quite well. Coach Tavares said they plan to come out strong today, as they previously did in their other games. Nobody has been able to stop them yet.

I also had a chance to speak with coach Ale Tolentino of the Westside Warriors, who took the Championship in 2009. He said their game plan is to isolate their defensive end and come off the corner and out run them, because "we can match their power." After today's game, Coach Tolentino said "the Wild Cats game plan was a lot better than ours, they just out coached us and outplayed us. We learn to win all year, and we also have to learn to lose. What Waikele did to us today, we have done the same to others all year." As for today's loss, his team is taking it all in stride.

Also at today's game, the Westside Warriors Intermediate team took 1st place over 1 Mission who came in 2nd. Halawa Trinity came in 3rd, and the Westside Coast Raiders came in 4th. JV 1 Mission came in 3rd and the JV Waipahu Knights 4th. As for the Varsity teams, Halawa Trinity came in 1st place and Pacific Youth Athletics Spartans came in 2nd place. Waipahu Knights came in 3rd and Kapolei Spartans finished 4th in today's championship games. Congratulations to all team coaches and players for displaying good sportsman

ship. I would also like to thank the Pacific Big Boyz Organization, Pastor Muao Ava, President, Founder and League Commissioner; Pastor John Opeta, League Vice President and President, CEO of 1 Mission (photo right); Lena Conrad, League Secretary and President of the Waipahu Knights, and Pastor Taavao Alualu. Special congratulations to Pastor Alualu's son, #44 Tyson Alualu who was selected as the 10th overall pick in the first round of the 2010 NFL Draft by the Jacksonville Jaguars and the ninth highest draft pick in Cal history. Thank you to Father John Frederick, creator of the Big Boyz organization, for providing me with information on the background and start of the Big Boyz organization. Photos of the 3rd & 4th place play off and award ceremony and "Waikele Wild Cats "vs" Westside Warriors" "click here".

"MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION" - Mrs. Cherry Aris and Daughter "Caleylla"

In 1980, the "Make-A-Wish Foundation" was founded after a little boy named Chris Greicius, realized his lifelong dream to become a police officer. Then in 1982, it was established here in Hawaii and is the 13th of 66 chapters in 50 states. Today I was invited to Caleylla Aris' birthday party at the Hawaii Children's Discovery Center. Her mother Cherry Aris, told me it was Caleylla's first birthday party since falling ill in 2008 with "acute myelogenous leukemia" which is a fast growing cancer of the blood and bone marrow.

I have done all sorts of sports reporting and special events, but writing this story is the hardest thing I have had to do. She is such a sweet and beautiful child. I had a chance to speak with Cherry and in talking to her, she remains very strong and holds her head high. The family is "still wishing and hoping that a miracle will come about for Caleylla" who will be 3 years old on June 17, 2010. Cherry related that they have stopped the chemotherapy because the cancer has spread throughout Caleylla's body, but she still goes in for blood transfusions as needed. If any of you have children, love them and cherish them for we never know what can happen.

Let us all pray for Caleylla and hope for that miracle. Caleylla's grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Mar and Marlita Aris, and Caleylla's father, Cris Aris flew in from Las Vegas. Also present was Cherry's son, Cyril Aris, her mother, Mrs. Felicidad Clarito, and her sister, Suzanne De Vera. Caleylla's original wish was to go to Disneyland, but due to her condition it was not recommended by her doctor. Her second wish was to have a birthday party with "Barney." Well, her wish came true today and it was awesome to see her great

big smile on the Merry-Go-Round. That picture will always remain with me. In closing, it is a very touching story and for those who want to help, you may send a donation to Cherry Aris c/o "Caleylla" at 94-467 Hene Street, Waipahu, HI 96796, checks only please.

I would like to thank Ms. Lee Henry-Chang, Program Director of the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and to Volunteer Adrienne Abreu for their kokua and information about the "Make A Wish Foundation" here in Hawaii. Also, much mahalo to Robyn Chow-Hoy, Child Life Specialist at Kapiolani Children's Hospital and to Dr. Wade Kyono. God Bless and let us all pray for Caleylla. More photos "click here".