Moanalua High School Athletic Department Awards Banquet 2012-2013 at the Honolulu Country Club

L/R: State Representative Aaron Johanson, Thomas Cheong, Kelsen Onigama,
Chaden Grace-Reyes, State Representative Linda Ichiyama and State Senator Glenn Wakai 

Today at the Honolulu Country Club,  the Moanalua High School Athletic Department Sports Banquet was held to recognize and honor students participating in the Moanalua High School Athletics 2012-2013 season, and present end of the year awards and scholarships.

The first recognitions went out to the athletics that succeeded in gaining the highest competition award that the state has to offer by presenting the 2012-2013 State Champions Awards. The first individual awards went to Chaden Grace-Reyes, two time Judo and two time Wrestling State Champion; Kelsen Onigama, Judo State Champion and Thomas Cheong Triple Jump State Champion (photo above).  State Representative Aaron Johanson, Linda Ichiyama and State Senator Glenn Wakai also presented awards on behalf of The Hawaii State Legislature.

Other athletics with honorable mention, US Army All American, Scott Pagano; Eastern Division Players of the Year, Boys Basketball Kahanu Pu'ulei-Auld; Bowling, Kristin Tomimbang; Wrestling, Chaden Grace-Reyes; Judo, Chaden Grace-Reyes; Cross Country, Austin Davis; Softball, Chrissi Omalza; Track, Thomas Cheong; Golf, Eimi Koga and John Oda.

All State Team and State Champions for Basketball, Kahanu Pu'ulei-Auld (2013); Wrestling, Chaden Grace-Reyes (2012, 2013); 2x State Champion, Judo Chaden Grace-Reyes (2012, 2013); 2x State Champion, Judo Kelsen Onigami (2013); Judo Justin Fujiwara (2011, 2012); Track, Thomas Cheong (2012); Triple Jump and Soccer, Storm Kenui (2010, 2011, 2012).

Other Honorable mentions were from Air Riflery, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Soft Tennis, Girls Volleyball, Basketball, Paddling, Soccer, Swimming, Baseball, Golf, Softball, Tennis, Track, Boys Volleyball and Water Polo.  Congratulations to all the Moanalua Athletics participants for their outstanding accomplishments.  To see the Fall Sports results "click here." To see the Winter results "click here." To See the Spring results "click here." Candid photos "click here." Video "click here."

MOANALUA HIGH SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT CEREMONY CLASS of 2013

L/R: Andrea Young, Kamryn Ziegler and Candace Young

Friday, May 17, 2013 was a beautiful weather for a Commencement Ceremony at the Moanalua High School with a rainbow overhead and hundreds of family, friends and guests. Class of 2013 celebrated after 4 great years, and the photos express their excitement.  A job well done seniors. 

Guest speakers at the ceremony were Moanalua new Principal (photo right), Robin Martin, former Moanalua Principal, Darrel Galera, Class President, Taylor May Lacar, Recognition of Valedictorians Kory Kado-Fukuda, Valedictorian Message by, Abraham Kwan and Anita Cheung, Presentation and Acceptance of the Class of 2013, Karl Achiu and Robin Martin.

Special recognitions to the following "Valedictorians," Daniel Bender, Noelle Chen, Anita Cheung, Tabatha Sakurako Donley, Qiu Xia Helen Guan, Nikki Higa, Michelle Hu, Kelli Mariko Kimura, Man Chon Kuok, Abraham Kwan, Ka Ho Terry Lam, Margaret Ching Lein Lee, Korie Lum, Scott Kiyoshi Nishihara, and Marysa Hope Oshiro. "Congratulations" to Class of 2013. Candid video and photos "click here." More photos and video to be added. C'mon back.

16th Annual Lei Day Las Vegas 2013 - Polynesie Arts & Craft Festival.

"Halau Hula 'O Kaleimomi" - Kumu Hula Sheldeen Haleamau

In Hawaii, May Day is also known as Lei Day, and is normally set aside as a day to celebrate island culture in general and native Hawaiian culture in particular. Invented by a poet and a local newspaper columnist in the 1920s, it has since been adopted by state and local government as well as the residents, and has taken on the sense of a general spring celebration. The first Lei Day was proposed in 1927 in Honolulu by poet and artist Don Blanding. Leonard "Red" and Ruth Hawk composed "May Day is Lei Day in Hawai'i," the traditional holiday song.

 The so called 9th island of Las Vegas will be celebrating their 16th Annual Lei Day Las Vegas Polynesie Arts and Craft Festival in the spirit of Aloha on Saturday, May 4 and Sunday, May 5, 2013.  Promoters for this event are Curly Koa Production and GSK Production LLC, Gary and Sheldeen Haleamau, Halau Hula 'O Kaleimomi, Vacations Hawaii, the California Hotel and Casino, and Boyd Gaming.  This annual Polynesian festival brings together musicians, dancers, artists, craftsmen and also showcases Hawaii's local foods such as kalua pig, lau lau, poi, beef teriyaki sticks, hot malasadas and poi mochi.  So "ono." This year's guests of honor are (photo above) Manalani Mili Hokoana English, Miss Aloha Hula 2013 and 'Iwalani Kuali'i-Kaho'ohanohano, Miss Kahala 2013.

Katherine Pohndorf, is the 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. Today's weather was perfect, with a temperature of 80 degrees.

To close this event on Saturday in the Ohana-Maile Room, Master of Ceremony Makani Tabura presented Halau Hulu 'O Kaleimomi - Kumu Hula Sheldeen Haleamau, Mark Yamanaka "Na Hoku Winner 2011" and Na Hoa.  What awesome performance! If you haven't been to a Hawaiian Jam, this you had to be there to feel the chicken skin run up your arm and down your back. Awesome, Awesome! The crowd of 300 plus kept yelling "Hana Hou," do it again!

Special thanks to GSK Production, Gary and Sheldeen Haleamau, Halau Hula 'OKaleimomi, in association with Curly Koa Production, Inc., Joe Andrade and Irma, Katherine Pohndorf and Tetua Ioane, and Gene and Lee Mago from Reno for another beautiful Hawaiian lei. Just a note, if you're looking for Las Vegas Jerkys, Etc., I found out that they moved to the Las Vegas Club, ground floor across the Players Club. Click here to see some highlight video and photos. Youtube. Please check back. A Hui Hou Kakou.