USO Athletic Club - Kapolei Islanderz Quarterback #10 Skye Fernandez

While catching a flight out from Honolulu, I ran into coach Ray Maae who is the the owner of the Kapolei Islanderz (USO Athletic Club - Kapolei Islanderz) football team and part of the Hawai State Jr. Prep Sports Association. They were heading to Kauai for a football game and I noticed two girl players. According to coach Maae, the little one is his quarterback #10, Skye Olores-Fernandez from Kauai and the other is his wide receiver #23, Kiara Tiumalu who plays wide receiver, outside linebacker and quarterback too. Wow, go get 'em girls! Coach explained that the new football format is grade based, not weight restricted, giving kids a chance to play and have fun and is similar to the Big Boyz football style based unlimited weight division.

The divisions are split between 5th and 6th graders for the elementary division and has 9 teams. The 7th and 8th graders for the intermediate division has 10 teams. There are two seasons, Spring (Feb-May) and Fall (July-Dec).

I also had an opportunity to meet Kapolei QB, #10 Skye Olores-Fernandez (photo above) and her parents, Evelyn and Kaleo Fernandez (offensive coach). Skye said prior to joining the Kapolei Islanderz, she lived on Kauai and played baseball as a pitcher and 1st baseman for the Waimae Blue Jays. She also played a little soccer for various teams on Kauai, but when she moved to Honolulu, she told her mom she didn't want to play baseball or soccer and wanted to try something different. One day at school, she saw a sign for Kapolei Islanderz football and asked her mom if she could play. Her parents told her as long as she had good grades she could give it a try. At try outs, the coaches were looking for someone with an arm and they noticed Skye had a quick reaction. Today, she is the QB for the Kapolei Islanderz. After today's game against the Lihue Bulldogs (14-32), I was able to witness her quickness as QB and her handoffs.

In her first game against the Waikele Wildcats, she completed 90% of her passes. Her mom, Evelyn and dad, Kaleo said Skye has been an avid sports girl since the age of 4. As soon as Skye was old enough to play, she was registered right away. It seems Skye is not alone in her world of football, because her dad is the team offensive coordinator and her mom is the team mom. Evelyn said Skye really enjoys football and she loves her second ohana, the Kapolei Islanderz.

Coach Maae further related, "as an all-volunteer organization, the hard work of many parents, coaches and board members have been the backbone of the Hawaii State Jr. Prep Sports Association. We believe in being the best youth football organization possible by keeping the interest of the children first and maintaining strong values, which include sportsmanship, teamwork, responsibility and commitment." Kapolei Islanderz website, "click here." To see todays action photos, "click here."

Las Vegas Local Style - Hawaii's Premier Casino Themed Party & Entertainment Company "Just Like Vegas"

Thinking of going to Las Vegas, but the airfare is too expensive? Why fly when you can have fun here on Oahu and the Big Island, and sharpen your skills at the same time. Recently, I attended a friend's wedding and to my amazement, I thought I was in Vegas. They had a layout of roulette tables, blackjack tables and even a crap table. I just had to find out more about this, and met up with Ricky Oshiro (photo above), who is the owner of "Just Like Vegas." I asked him how and why he came up with this idea to bring Las Vegas to Hawaii. He related that his family has always enjoyed going to Vegas and he has learned a lot from Vegas, and also made his share of donations. "At home we've always done it for our friends and family, and primarily we started giving lessons. Then one of my family's friends asked if we could do one of their Christmas parties, so I said, oh yeah we can do that. So we tried to make better tables and one thing led to another, then other people started asking so I decided, yeah why not do this as a real business."

"From the start, it was just home made tables for fun and its always been for fun, we don't do any gambling. We started off with a small 8-foot crap table that we made, then a blackjack table and roulette table. As the years went by, we improved on the design, and we make all of our equipment. As for the years in business, we started about 2004 to now 2011."

I asked Ricky about the legality, and how the laws affect his business. "The gaming law here in Hawaii is pretty simple, there are three elements, consideration, chance and reward. If you have all three, then it is considered gambling in Hawaii. All of these games that we have, like craps, blackjack, let it ride, and pai gau, are all games of chance. So in order not to make it gambling, you have to eliminate either consideration or reward. A person doesn't have to pay to play, if they have to pay to play then you can not give any reward. So you can actually pay, collect money, as a fundraiser, but you can't give out a prize. Or, like most parties, we're just entertainment, so nobody pays, therefore there is no consideration and they only give out prizes." In closing, Ricky related it's a good learning experience if you're not too familiar on how to play. "That's why we do everything just like Vegas. If you've been on our crap tables, we'll even tell you I'm sorry sir, only one hand on the dice. We want them to have the real Vegas experience so when they go to Vegas, they won't get scolding and won't feel shame or be apprehensive about playing. We also give gaming lessons, do poker tournaments, and recently did the Hawaii Big Deal on KHON2. That was our company that provided the poker services." For more information on "Just Like Vegas," "Click here." For sample photos. "click here."

Waipahu Capture 2011 First Hawaiian Bank Football State Champion - Division II Semifinals over Lahainaluna 19-14

On November 4, 2011 at the Aloha Stadium, the Waipahu Marauders played tough football by taking the OIA White Championship over the Pearl City Chargers 9-7. Tonight, at Waipahu High School Masa Yonamine Athletic Complex Stadium, the Marauders are up against Lahainaluna from Maui who defeated Konawaena 23-6 to qualify for tonight's 2011 First Hawaiian Bank Football State Championship - Division II Semifinals. The winner of tonight's game will either play #1 Iolani or #4 Kapaa on November 25, for the 2011 Championship.

As for tonight's game, it was a balance of defense and offense. The feeling was so intense on the field, it was another one of those "don't leave your seat" games. Despite the fumbles and penalties, the Marauders took the advantage in the 1st quarter with 10:11 on the clock to score first by RB #38, Gregorio Alip to make it 7-0. Into the 2nd quarter with 9:31 on the clock, the Lunas #21 BJ Pagdilao-Bala took a hand off to tie the score 7-7. Before you could blink, the Lunas scored again with 7:34 left on the clock. The Marauders QB #13, Drake Yoshioka answered back by firing a rocket up and over to WR #10, Mataio Fualema (photo above) in the end zone for a TD, but the extra point failed and ended the 2nd quarter 13-14.

The Marauders came out in the 3rd quarter, ready to do battle and battle they did, with 7:29 left in the 3rd quarter, RB #38, Gregorio Alip added another TD to the score making it 19-14. Waipahu came back hard hitting with their defense, and pushed and held the Lunas within the red zone by breaking through their offensive line. In the final 11 seconds of the game, the Lunas attempted their last 4 passes and failed, ending the game 19-14. Talk about chicken skin, it was a fight to the end between both teams and a well deserved win for the Marauders.

Prior to the start of the game, I spoke with head coach Eric Keola and asked if his team was prepared for tonight's game against the Lunas. "We have key injured players, but for tonight's game I feel our team is strong and ready." Congratulations to head coach Eric Keola, his asst, coaches and his varsity team who played outstanding defense as well as offense. Good job to the Lunas football team and head coach Garrett Tihada for a great game. For more on the game and stats, "click here." Action photos "click here"

Maui Baldwin Bears Win Big Over The Farrington Governors 28-24

Tonight at the Maui War Memorial Stadium, the #1 MIL Division 1, Maui Baldwin Bears played against the Farrington Governors OIA Red East Division from Honolulu. It was an exciting HHSAA playoff game from start to finish. A treat for supporters of both teams and believe me, no time to get any food or even go to the lua. The game started off with the Governors receiving the kick off and scoring the first TD to take the lead 6-0. Next, the Bears QB #12, Keelan Ewaliko (photo above) faked a pass and ran it in for their 1st TD, and with the extra point made it 7-6. The Maui Bears defense was a pain in the butt for the Governors during the 1st half especially when the Bears covering on a pass to FHS #4, Toma Barrett couldn't hang on to the ball and bounced off his pads into the hands of #49, Timmy Langdrik of the Bears. The Bears offense provided good protection in the 1st half for their QB # 12, Keelan Ewaliko who had all night to pick his receivers, and with 23 seconds left in the 1st half, Bears #23, Kaiana Camvel took one in for a TD to close out the 1st half 14-6.

At the start of the 2nd half, the Governors came out strong with their star running back #21, Tyler Taumua who seemed to be unstoppable and scored his 2nd TD to regain the lead over the Bears 18-14. The Governors defense was hungry and kept pounding away at the Bears offense. With 42 seconds left in the 4th quarter, the Maui Bears QB #12, Keelan Ewaliko clawed his way toward the end zone by dodging, running over players while still keeping his balance like a surfer, and finally with a big leap, he dove into the end zone making the winning TD to end the game 28-24. It was very disappointing for the Governors, but they played their heart out and I must say they never gave up. Hats off to them. Congratulations to all the players and coaches and special recognition to Team Players Maui Bears #30 Justin Cabajar and to Farrington Gov #88 Tyler Milton Liana. See more stats "click here" - The Bears move on to Play Punahou at Aloha Stadium on Oahu.

Hawaii's Mary Bea Porter-King Named 2011 PGA First Lady of Golf

Mary Bea Porter-King (photo left) will be honored at the 59th PGA of America Awards on January 26, 2012. She is a pioneer in Junior Golf on Kapaa, Kauai, Hawaii and one of the country's most respected Rules officials. She will be named Recipient of 2011 PGA First Lady of Golf Award. Charlie King (photo right) is the President and Dealer Principle, King Auto Center on Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii, Dealer Principle, King Windward Nissan, Kaneohe, Oahu since 1999 and Dealer Principle, King Infiniti of Honolulu since April 2004.

Charlie King and "King Auto Group" has been the title sponsor for the Pro-Junior Skills Challenge at this year 2011 Sony Open and previous years. Read more, "click here." For more information on Mary Bea Porter-King and her PGA of America Awards, "click here," and "Congratulation" goes out to Mary Bea Porter-King and Charlie King for all you all do for the people of Hawaii and the junior golfers.

Waipahu Marauders OIA White Champions over Pearl City Chargers 9-7

Tonight's OIA White Division Championship Playoff game at Aloha Stadium between the Waipahu Marauders and the Pearl City Chargers got off to a slow start. The real excitement didn't start until the fourth quarter with only minutes left to play, and with Pearl City threatening to score.

The game started off with the Marauders picking off a Chargers pass by #7, Beaver Lagima leading to a 3 point field goal by #31, Jayson Gonsalves to take the lead 3-0. At the end of the 2nd quarter the score remained at 3-0. Fumbles and 7 turnovers didn't make things easier for the Chargers, as well as the Marauders who were penalized for blocking in the back. Into the 3rd quarter, with Waipahu at the 1 yard line, #9 (photo above) at 240 lbs. bulldozed his way into the end zone for a TD, but the extra point hit the left side of the upright and the score stalled at 9-0. The Marauders defense stopped the Chargers all night and Marauder's LB #55, Mark Failauga put a great hit on Charger's QB #10, Kaimi Paredes with 9:37 left in the 4th quarter.

With 2:21 left in the 4th quarter, the Chargers finally got on the score board by SB #8 Shawn Lopez on a hook and ladder play into the end zone making the score 9-7. The Chargers made an undaunted effort to get into field goal range with less than 3 seconds, but ran out of time. Congratulations to Waipahu, the new OIA White Champions and Marauders LB #9, Wesley Nagaseu, who received the Player Impact Award from the Hawaii Army National Guard. Nagaseu caused fumbles and havoc on the game field all night. Congratulations also to the Pearl City Chargers for making it into the OIA White final championship playoff. For more game stats "click here."