The California Hotel and Casino Present the 14th Annual Hawaiian Lei Day Festival on April 30 and May 1, 2011

The California Hotel and Casino along with GSK Production, Gary and Sheldeen Haleamau, Halau Hula 'O Kaleimomi, in association with Curly Koa Production, Inc., and Vacations Hawaii, will be celebrating their 14th Annual Hawaiian Lei Day Festival on Saturday, April 30 and Sunday, May 1, 2011. This annual Polynesian festival brings together musicians, dancers, artists, craftsmen and also show cases Hawaii's local foods such as kalua pig, lau lau, poi, beef teriyaki sticks, hot malasadas and the "ono" poi mochi. Believe me, I had some and it was really "ono."

I met Katherine Pohndorf, executive producer and president of Curly Koa Productions and promoter and founder of this Lei Day event. Katherine is also known as "KP," and she grew up in Honokowai, Maui and attended Lahainaluna High School. Her inspiration for Lei Day Las Vegas stems from her involvement with the foundation and her beloved Kumu Hula aunty Emma Farden-Sharpe. From this the special Hula Halau tradition is kept alive and Lei Day was born in Las Vegas.This year's event is dedicated in loving memory of Ms. Sherveralyn "Shevy" Fujimoto of Granny's Pastele's who passed away this month and was looking forward to this event. Condolences go out to family and friends.

Today's weather was perfect, a little "chilly" though with the temperature at 69 degrees. Yes, it's Las Vegas in April

and all the locals from Hawaii were wearing a little more than just t-shirts this morning. The festival on Saturday began with the National Anthem sung by Auntie Makalina Yamada (top photo), then Kumu Hula Sheldeen Haleamau (bottom photo) and her halau, Halau Hula 'O Kaleimomi performed for the crowd. The Guest of Honor were, Miss Kahala, Brittni Woodward and Miss West Oahu, Lauren Cheape. The Master of Ceremonies were, Larry 'Maheitoa" Fisher aka "Biggy Sexxy" and Sistah Doree "Hina Nui' Makanani. What great talent we have here in Las Vegas. It felt like I was at the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, but Las Vegas style! On Sunday, the National Anthem sung by Millie T. Misajon.

To close this event we had a special treat this evening with great performances by Mailani Makainani, Nohelani Cypriano and Diana Aki in the Ohana/Maile Room. Special thanks to GSK Production, Gary and Sheldeen Haleamau, Halau Hula 'OKaleimomi, in association with Curly Koa Production, Inc., Katherine Pohndorf, Irma and Joe Andrade, Sigrid Brunel, artist of "Brunel Images" who helped with the flyers, and "special thanks" to Gene and Lee Mago from Reno for the beautiful hawaiian lei. Much Mahalo! Just a note. If you looking for the Las Vegas Jerkys, Etc., I found that they moved to the Las Vegas Club, ground floor across the Players Club. "Click here" to enjoy the event photos.

Pacific Big Boyz Football Conference 2011 Championship - Ke'ehi Lagoon Oahu

Today, the Pacific Big Boyz Football Conference Championship was held at Ke'ehi Lagoon Park. The following teams that made it to the championship playoffs were, Intermediate Division 10-11, Malutai "vs" Kalihi Disciples, Kapolei Spartans "vs" 1 Mission. J.V.Division, ages 12-13, Halawa Trinity "vs" Kalihi Disciples, 808 Acadians "vs" 1 Mission and the Varsity Division ages 14-15, Waipahu Marauders "vs" Kalihi Disciples, Rock Sold Crusaders "vs" 1 Mission.

It was a beautiful day for football. Perfect weather for the 1 Mission teams who ran away with all three Division Championships. Their execution was awesome along with their aerial attack. I could see the determination on the faces of all the players participating. Wow, there were so many that went beyond their limits of playing. The cheering and shouting of the parents added to all the emotion. It was no different than watching a high school football game, these Pacific Big Boyz were really exciting to watch.

I had a chance to speak with Pastor Muao Ava, President, Founder and League Commissioner for the Pacific Big Boyz Football League. Pastor Ava related that the Pacific Big Boyz league was started in 2009 for big kids who are not able to play in the Pop Warner league because of their weight in their age groups. If it wasn't for this program, these kids wouldn't have the opportunity to participate in league football. Not only does it help these kids to get some playing experience, the goal is to prepare them physically and academically for high school. "Hawaii Athletes in Action (HAIA) is helping us prepare the kids for college. Hopefully one day we can acquire a piece of property so we can build fields. We have big dreams and with God, all things are possible."

Mayor Peter B. Carlisle also attended today's event, and presented the awards to all participants. The mayor presented Pastor Muao Ava with a "Proclamation" for the Pacific Big Boyz Football League proclaming April 9, 2011, to be "Pacific Big Boyz Football Day." The photo above L/R, Pastor John Opeta, League V.P. and President & CEO of 1Mission; Pastor Muao Ava, League President, Founder and League Commissioner for the Pacific Big Boyz; Lena Conrad, League Secretary, President & CEO of Marauders and Honolulu Mayor, Peter B. Carlisle. "Click here" to see the division place standings. "Click here" to see action team photos.

Kawailani Long Distance Canoe Race - Sponsored by "Windward Kai Canoe Club 2011"

The Windward Kai Canoe Club was the sponsor for this weekend's "Kawailani Long Distance Canoe Race" on Saturday, April 9, 2011 at Ke'ehi Lagoon and has been actively participating in outrigger canoe racing for over thirty five years. They are also one of the original founding members of the Na Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a canoe association. I spoke to Henry Palakiko (photo top left) , President of the Windward Kai Canoe Club and he related that this year marks Hui Wa'a’s 38th regatta season.

Henry recalls when the club had only 41 members and back then was called the "Over Night Club." They pulled out of the Waimanalo canoe club and decided to form their own club and started the Windward Kai Canoe Club in 1973. Back then, Henry was Mr. all around, father, head coach, race director, officer and one of the original co-founders of the Na Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a Association. They only had 6-7 canoe clubs and in 1990 Henry took over as the President of the Windward Kai Canoe Association. Today the Head Coach of the Windward Kai Canoe Club is Derrell Demello (photo top right) and the President of the Na Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a Canoe Club is Samanath Moikeha, VP Shannon Kaaekuahiwi.

I would like to thank President Henry Palakiko of the Windward Kai Canoe Club, Head Coach Derrell Demello and Race Director George Waikaloa for the arrangements on one of their boats to do the photo shoots and President of the Na Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a Canoe Club, Samantha Moikeha, V.P., Shannon Kaaekuahiwi for the opportunity to be part of their event and canoe race. "Click" here to see today's photos

Pu'uloa Outrigger Canoe Club - Honoring "Coach Kammy Vera Cruz"

It was a beautiful day at the beach today for the Pu'uloa Outrigger Canoe Club 5th Annual Iron Race at Ke'ehi Lagoon, and it was also a special day for Coach Kammy Vera Cruz (photo above). Kammy was at one time, the coach for the Ewa Beach and the Kuakini Canoe Club back in the 70's. Today he was presented a miniature canoe paddle and recognized at the opening of the 5th Annual Iron Race for his "Past Commitment to Perpetuate the Culture of Hawaiian Canoe Paddling 2011."

President, Ernie Abaya (photo bottom) paddled under coach Kammy when he was in high school back in the 80's. Ernie remembers Kammy as being a great coach, never saying too much, but was strong with his words. "When Kammy spoke, we all just listened!" Back then Kammy also coached Campbell and Ewa Beach canoe club and then around 1998, Pu'uloa Outrigger Canoe Club took over and he actually gave the club two

canoes, "Paoa" (koa canoe) and the "Naia." The name Pu'uloa is the traditional Hawaiian name of the Ewa Beach district and today's club name. Ernie now paddles under coach Mel Kiaaina of the Pu'uloa Outrigger Canoe Club.

Pu'uloa joined the OHCRA and it was a dream come true when it raced for the first time as a full fledged OHCRA member in the regatta at the OHCRA's 2002 opener, Clement D. Paiaina race. Mary Serrao, Pu'uloa President who served for 15 years as OHCRA's race director was really proud of the club and felt Ewa Beach needed a canoe paddling club to replace Kuakini that was disbanded many years before. The co-founders of the Pu'uloa Outrigger canoe club are Kau'ionalani Serrao (photo above), Mel Kiaaina and Mary Serrao.

Today's participating canoe clubs were Anuenue, Alapa Hoe, Hawaiian Kanaktion, Honolulu Pearl, Hui Lanakila, Hui Nalu, Kamehameha, Kaneohe, Kalihi Kai, Kamaha'o Keahiakahoe, Olelo O Ke Ola, Pu'uloa Outrigger, Waikiki Beach Boys, and Windward Kai. Congratulations to all who participated, and special thanks to Kau'i for the invitation. Thanks also to President Ernie Abaya, Mel Kiaaina and to honoree Coach Kammy Vera Cruz. Additional information on the Pu'uloa Outrigger Canoe Club, "click" here.