2016 Central Hawaiian Activities 3 (C.H.A.3) Kenpo Seminar in Las Vegas

Central Hawaiian Activities 3 Kenpo Brotherhood Seminar in Las Vegas

The purpose of the Central Hawaiian Activities 3 Kenpo Brotherhood Seminar on July 23-24, 2016 at the Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas is for the preservation of the training and ideas created by our founder Professor Marino Tiwanak.  We also wish to accomplish through these seminars the building of camaraderie or "brotherhood," among our Black Belt and Chief Instructors.

The Las Vegas seminar was started in 2007 to bring all instructors to one venue for training and review instead of Professor Mike Tiwanak (photo left) traveling to each dojo from state to state separately. Professor Mike Tiwanak stated that he wished he had thought of starting the seminars while the founder of the system, Professor Marino Tiwanak, was still alive.

The instructors who attend the seminar will be versed in the History, By-Laws, Training, etc., as our founder would have wanted it passed on to their students.  Professor Tiwanak always stated that we are not just a martial art school.  That we are a family, and that he wanted these traits of "Ohana," to be passed to our mainland instructors, and to also let them know that they all play an important part in our organization no matter how far they are located from the "mother school."

Through our seminar we can insure that all Instructors teaching in Hawaii and abroad are all on the same page as far as our training and teaching techniques. Through the seminar we can set the goal that any student can attend any C.H.A.3 certified school and receive the same quality training.  Any student who transfer to another branch school can feel comfortable that the training they learned will fit right in at their new dojo.

The main goal is to insure our founder, Professor Marino Tiwanak, will live forever through his history, his ideals, his training, and the goals that he had set for his organization.

After the passing of the founders son, Professor Mike Tiwanak, the weight of the Central Hawaiian Activities 3 Kenpo Brotherhood Association, will be passed to the founders youngest grandson, Bronson K. Tiwanak, who is currently a certified black belt in C.H.A.3 Kenpo.

Presentations by Professor MikeTiwanak, 10th Degree Chiefs: Paketo Caluyo, Fred Buescher, Larry Carson, Richard Baker and Rudy Montane. 9th Degree Chiefs: Nicholas Silva, and Chrisanto Adaoag. 8th Degree: Annette Almeida, Micahel Potes, Ray Hubbard, Jeff Pascua and Ellis Heggen.

Besides instructors flying to Las Vegas from Hawaii, there will also be instructors traveling from California, Oregon, Montana, Louisiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Nebraska, North Carolina, Florida, and Guam(photo above).

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".

2016 National Association of Letter Carriers Branch 860 Retirement Banquet

This year the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 860 Annual Retirement Banquet was held at the Manoa Grand Ballroom 5th Floor, 2454 South Beretania Street on Saturday, July 9, 2016.  The following retirees were Asaela "Ace" Neufeldt Hawaii Kai Station with 16 years of service, Blayne Uto, Waikiki Station with 30 years, Charlene Kamanu, Waikiki Station with 27 years, Cynthia "Cindy" Shizuma, Kailua Post Office with 30 years, Debra "Debi" Gatrell, Downtown Station with 22 years, Elson Ramos, Kapalama Station with 18 years, Frances "Fran" Maialoha, Sand Island Station, with 26 years, Gary Rezentes, Kailua Post Office with 35 years, John Leroux, Waikiki Station with 31 years, Kathy Park, Makiki Station with 26 years, Paul Cuccinotto, Waikiki Station with 28 years, Terry Suero, Kapalama Station with 43 years, for a total of 332 years.


Executive Vice President Alvin Matsumura presented the 2016 "Steward of the Year" award to Lydia Ichiyama.  Howard Komine, NALC President Branch 860, presented the 2016 "Samuel V.K. Hipa award to Terry Kaolulo.

Guest speakers (photo left) were Chris Jackson, National Business Agent-1, serving letter carriers in California, Hawaii, Nevada and the territory of Guam and Lew Drass, Vice President of the NALC, Washington DC.

The EMCEE was Rodney Villanueva, one of the bessest funniest local comedians around. Karaoke provided by S&L Karaoke, background music by the Kumuhau and Jonathan Cabagbag. Photos and Video by Hawaii Local News - AlanKSportsHawaii and a big "Mahalo" to Cynthia Ishizaki, NALC Branch 860, Political Liaison and Event Coordinator for this event.