"Da Hui Cancer Awareness Day" - Velzyland, North Shore - Oahu, Hawaii

Today at Velzyland, one of the best known surfing sites on the North Shore of Oahu, a cancer awareness fundraiser was held to help three women. Jasmine Keala Amona, the youngest daughter of Mr. Bryan Amona, the founder of "Hui O He'e Nalu and Cynthia Mooney, recently went into the hospital where cancer spots were discovered in her lungs and brain. Sharla Dutro, has a tumor located on the right side of her brain (Oligodendroglioma) that causes her to have seizures and black outs. Carrie "CJ" Pilanca, has tested positive for the BRCA2 (breast cancer 2) genetic mutation. BRCA2 is a tumor suppressor gene and is meant to control the growth of cells in the breast and ovaries. This event is in tribute to all three women and their families. We pray that they will live a long, healthy and successful life. This meaningful event was made aware to me by Bonnie Fermahin member of the "Hui O He'e Nalu (click here) which means "Club of Wave Riders" which was established in 1976.

The Master of Ceremony was the well known Kaleo Pilanca (photo below with Councilman Ernie Martin), aka "KP" the Hip Hop Hawaiian and husband of Carrie "CJ" Kaleo. He is one of Hawaii's funniest comedians and was voted into the 2005 Top 10 Funniest people in Hawaii on Rory Wild's Count Down Hawaii on OC 16 and he was formally on Island 98.5 radio, 102.7 and producer of his own live show. Councilman Ernie Martin also attended today's event and related his experience with a very close friend that had cancer. All, or 100% of today's proceeds will go towards the women's medical expenses. If you would like to make a donation, you may go to any Bank of Hawaii branch and make a payment to "Da Hui Cancer Awareness Day Fund."

The weather was beautiful, a little rain and a beautiful rainbow. There were lots of food booths, raffle and prizes, a silent auction, live music and comedy by Da Bruddahs, Kennyhune, Kaleo Pilanca, Harold the Happy Hawaiian, John Feary, Gregg Hammer Band, Nesian Nine, Natural HI, Sunset Band and so much more. We had a good turn out and support for these three wonderful and beautiful "Huihine," Jasmine, Sharla and CJ. The atmosphere among the crowd at times was silent and some showed their tears. For me, it was very touching because this isn't the first time I covered an event in this type of magnitude. I had the opportunity to meet with these women and they are all beautiful and awesome mothers!

I was also informed of some sad news at today's event. The "Hui O He'e Nalu" members are also honoring Richard Kahihikolo (uncle midnight) who passed away with throat cancer; Kameron Steinhoff who passed away in a skateboarding accident; and Jeff Barbieto, firefighter who drowned while off duty and working for Hukilau Foods on a 120-foot dive. On the brighter side, it was a great event and it teaches us that we should not take life for granted. There are events like this all over our islands which we are unaware until it happens to us, a family member or friend. Thank you to Bonnie Fermahin, Kaleo Pilanca and Carrie "CJ" Pilanca for providing me the information about this event and the Hui O He'e Nalu club. I enjoyed covering this event and my prayers are with you and your families. "Ke Akua Pu A Hui Hou Kakou," God be with you until we meet again. "Click here" to see today's photo.

Waipahu High School "Blue & Gold" Football "Game" with Soccer Player of the Year OIA White "Jahna Tacson" 13-20

On Friday, May 27, 2011, I was informed by Coach Bryson Carvalho, J.V. Head Coach that Waipahu High School "Blue & Gold" Football team for the first time will actually have a "GAME" instead of a controlled scrimmage as they did in the past years. I was also told that they started their spring training at Waipahu a week ago and every OIA school is allotted two weeks of Spring training where the kids are able to put pads on so the coaching staff can take an early look at what talent they have going into summer training. The coaching staff also had a draft and selected players to represent their teams color. The coaching staff was also drafted by the respective head coaches and Bryson Carvalho will be head coach for the Gold team and Abe Villanueva, Health & PE teacher will be head coach for the Blue team tonight.

Coach Carvalho said that they were going to end their Spring tryouts with a huge Spring game and they had every player sell 10 tickets to friends, family and community members to raise money for their spirit packs and workout gear. Tonight's game will include varsity timed 12 minute quarters, OIA officials, kickoffs, kickoff returns, punts, punt returns, and a revamped offense and defense that will include a bunch more passing!

As for the"GAME" at the Home of the Marauders, it started off with no score in the first quarter and with 8:43 left in the second quarter, #2 Mason Corpuz-Slade Blue team intercepted the ball and returned it for 6 points and #11 Jahna Tacson, Waipahu's OIA White (Soccer) Player of the Year (click here) kicked it in for the extra point giving the Blue team the lead 7-0. The Gold team came roaring back with a great pass from QB #13 Drake Yoshida to #7 Matapua Tulafale for a TD, but it was called back. #82 Eric Castro of the Blue team took advantage on an error and ran in for their 2nd touchdown, but the extra point attempt failed which brought their lead to 13-0 with 4:42 left in the 2nd quarter. Finally in the 3rd quarter QB #13 Drake Yoshida of the Gold team threw a bomb to #24 Dalan Pakau and scored their first touchdown, and with Jahna's power kick (photo above), added that extra point to make it 7-13. Both teams battled back and forth in the 4th quarter, but the Gold team's drive and determination to hold off the Blue team with 14.4 seconds left on the clock to take the game 20-13.

The support tonight along with the students, family and the community was awesome, and it felt like the football season had began, especially since the band volunteered to play tonight. With the crowd cheering and shouting, it really felt like a "GAME" even though they played against each other. What I saw was a great team, and I would not take them lightly! Thanks to Stacie Nii, Athletic Director, Varsity Head Coach Eric Keola, J.V Head Coach Bryson Carvalho for the invite and Abe Villanueva, Health and P.E. teacher and the Waipahu High School Football Program and "Congratulation" to all the players tonight. "Awesome playing." Click here. C'mon back later for more the photos.

High Surf Advisory - Oahu South Shore, Hawaii - 5 to 8 feet Expected

The National Weather Service reported High Surf Advisory for Oahu South Shore, 5 to 8 feet expected today, Tuesday May 24, 2011 and through Wednesday. A visit to Point Panic (click here) early this morning wasn't as it was predicted. It looked more like 4-6 feet occasionally. There was a good turn out at Point Panic, but some disappointment among some surfers and bodysurfers who said it was not what they expected. They said the surf may be bigger later this afternoon or Wednesday, and left the area.

I ran into Steve Kapela (click here) from Kailua (photo top left), former 2006 Pipeline Bodysurfing Classic Crown winner at age 43, who stole the Bodysurfing Master at Pipeline from Todd Sells. At 49, he still enjoys his bodysurfing and he also related that it was a little on the small side today, but his love for bodysurfing brought him out here.

I also ran into Paul Shigemura who has been surfing since 1976. His favorite spot is Point Panic and comes out 2-3 times a week and loves knee boarding (photo top right). I also met Tory Eborn from Kaneohe who has been bodysurfing for about 5-6 years and originally started bodysurfing at Sandy Beach, Makapu and Pounders (photo bottom left). Much "mahalo" to Steve, Paul and Tory for taking the time and sharing some of their experience and background with me. Hope Wednesday is a better day for bodysurfing and surfing. More photos, "click here."