2014 AAU West Coast "CHAMPIONS" The Eastsidaz Girls Basketball Team

Asked how this all got started, basketball Head Coach Simon Bitanga from Kaiser High School recalls it all started back in 2000 with only 10 girls along with his eldest daughter Keely Bitanga. "It went on for about two years and a whole bunch of siblings and little girls from Hawaii-Kai watched us play for the championship semi-finals and the championship, both vs. Texas in the MJB Tournament and we beat both of them.  After the game the girls were interested in playing and I told them come show up on Monday and the rest is history and now I have over two hundred girls from ages 5-18 and keeps growing."

In 2007 Bitanga recalls taking National Champs girls 12 and under with his youngest daughter Micaela Bitanga, Kiana Naki, Klien Masutani, Lia Galderia, Dawnyelle Awa from Kona, Celeste Tsutahara, Taryn Achong, Megan Kinoshita, and Ciera Pacheco.  "It was a great accomplishment for us just to win a National Championship from Hawaii and won a total of 12 in different age groups that same year."

As for this year, Coach Bitanga's expectation is always to win.  "But we'll always be out sized, out matched, but our girls never give up. We pressure about the whole game and that's our bread and butter and if we can do that and be successful with that, then we always got a shot and today in Las Vegas, his 8th Graders pulled through even though they were behind by 15 points (chicken skin to the max), but with the "soft spoken" coach Simon, his encouragement must have made a difference by taking the 2014 AAU West Coast National "Champions," followed by his JV 2nd Place, Varsity 4th Place, 5th and 7th Consolation Champs.  As for the JOI Las Vegas Classic, Varsity took the Championship, followed by 10th 2nd Place, 8th 3rd Place and 5th 3rd Place.

 I'll be adding more information from Las Vegas. They now head into their 2nd tournament in Las Vegas, "Jam On It Grand Finale," July 22-24.   To check out the game video "click here" and game photos, "click here".

2014 AAU West Coast "CHAMPIONS" The Eastsidaz Girls Basketball Team

Asked how this all got started, basketball Head Coach Simon Bitanga from Kaiser High School recalls it all started back in 2000 with only 10 girls along with his eldest daughter Keely Bitanga. "It went on for about two years and a whole bunch of siblings and little girls from Hawaii-Kai watched us play for the championship semi-finals and the championship, both vs. Texas in the MJB Tournament and we beat both of them.  After the game the girls were interested in playing and I told them come show up on Monday and the rest is history and now I have over two hundred girls from ages 5-18 and keeps growing."

In 2007 Bitanga recalls taking National Champs girls 12 and under with his youngest daughter Micaela Bitanga, Kiana Naki, Klien Masutani, Lia Galderia, Dawnyelle Awa from Kona, Celeste Tsutahara, Taryn Achong, Megan Kinoshita, and Ciera Pacheco.  "It was a great accomplishment for us just to win a National Championship from Hawaii and won a total of 12 in different age groups that same year."

As for this year, Coach Bitanga's expectation is always to win.  "But we'll always be out sized, out matched, but our girls never give up. We pressure about the whole game and that's our bread and butter and if we can do that and be successful with that, then we always got a shot and today in Las Vegas, his 8th Graders pulled through even though they were behind by 15 points (chicken skin to the max), but with the "soft spoken" coach Simon, his encouragement must have made a difference by taking the 2014 AAU West Coast National "Champions," followed by his JV 2nd Place, Varsity 4th Place, 5th and 7th Consolation Champs.  As for the JOI Las Vegas Classic, Varsity took the Championship, followed by 10th 2nd Place, 8th 3rd Place and 5th 3rd Place.

 I'll be adding more information from Las Vegas. They now head into their 2nd tournament in Las Vegas, "Jam On It Grand Finale," July 22-24.   To check out the game video "click here" and game photos, "click here".

The 2014 National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 860 Annual Retirement Banquet

This year the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 860 held their Annual Retirement Banquet at the Harbor View Center at Honolulu Harbor's Pier 38 Waterfront on Saturday, July 12, 2014. The following retirees were present, (photo above back row L/R) Puleaava (Pule) Atualevao, Downtown Station (26 years); Frank Curry, Hawaii Kai Station (27 years); Roy Iwamasa, Downtown Station (26 years); Wallace (Wally) Matsumoto, Downtown Station (33 years); (photo bottom row L/R) Clayton Nakasone, Makiki Station (27 years); Misifeleni (Misi) York, Downtown Station (43 years); and Richard Yuasa, Downtown Station (42 years).  A total of 213 years.

Howard Komine, NALC President, Branch 860 along with Executive VP Alvin Matsumura presented the Sam Hipa Award to Maurice Collette, and the Shop Steward of the Year Award was presented to Melinda Prestige.  Michelle Luke will be attending the Leadership Class in Washington D.C., Advocate Training.

Honored guests tonight were (photo L/R) Brian Voight, Regional Business Agent Assistant from California; Howard Komine, NALC Branch 860 President; and Chris Jackson, Regional Business Agent from California.  Other honored guests were Terry Kaolulo, President of the Hawaii State Association of Letter Carriers; Greg Wolney, District Manager of the Honolulu District and (guest), Victoria Punzal; Chuck Lum, NAPS President and (guest), Laurie Ramelb Postmaster at Waipahu Station, and Mrs. Jackie Hipa, wife of the late Sam Hipa, and (guest), daughter, Toni Walker.

Chris Jackson, Regional Business Agent from California also related that every year the USPS has their yearly Food Drive, and this year Hawaii District came in 1st Place.  The Emcees were Coleman Peters and Kaui Lelepali, Karaoke provided my S&L Karaoke.  Special thanks to Harbor View Center's Shane Rivera and her staff for accommodating myself and my camera crew.  Click to see candid video and photos.