2016 Na 'Opio Canoe Racing Association - Host "Keola O Ke Kai Canoe Club"

Today at Ke'ehi Lagoon on Oahu, President Jen Romano Na 'Opio Canoe Racing Association is helping celebrate a special ceremony for Host club Keola O Ke Kai Canoe Club in their 15th year in Na 'Opio Canoe Racing Association and a big Mahalo for all you do in the community and for the youth of Hawaii.

Keola O Ke Kai Canoe Club was founded in 2001 by Gino Dayton & Jen Romano Head Coaches for Radford High School Paddling. There club is located at Ke'ehi Lagoon (off Lagoon Drive) and at the end of the culdesac.  "OIA Paddling is no longer just a dream."

Today there will be a total of 18 canoe clubs participating, Alapa Hoe, Ewa Puuloa, Ilau Hoe, Imua One Blade, Kai Heo, Kalihi Kai, Ka Mamalahoe, Keahiakaho, Keola O Ke Kai, Koa Kamalii, Kumuloka HI Elks, Leeward Kai, Makalei, Maunalua Bay, Mauliola, Na Alakai Hoe, Na Holokai, and Pulama Hoe.  Photo gallery "click here." Slideshow "click here." Video of this event "click here."

Deputy Chief Dave M. Kajihiro Aloha Retirement Luncheon Dole Cannery, Hokulei Ballroom

Today, I had the pleasure of attending Deputy Chief Dave Kajihiro's Retirement Aloha Luncheon at the Dole Cannery.  There were over 200 attendees including his family, friends, staff, colleagues and special guests from various agencies that Dave worked with throughout his career.  Many had mixed feelings as Dave is someone who will be hard to replace after 31 years of service.  He will surely be missed

The following is a brief history of Dave's career in the police department.  He started in 1984 as a Recruit Officer; 1985 - Metropolitan Police Officer; 1990 - Metropolitan Detective CID; 1996 - Metropolitan Police Lieutenant Records and Identification; 2000 - Metropolitan Police Captain HRD; 2002 - Metropolitan Police Major HRD; 2010 - Assistant Chief of Police Support Services Bureau; and in 2011 he was appointed Deputy Chief, Administrative Operations.

The Master of Ceremony for today's luncheon was officer Don Faumuina.  U.S. Attorney Florence Nakakuni (photo above) was one of the special guest speakers who presented Dave with a Certificate of Appreciation.  Other guest speakers were FBI Asst. Special Agent in Charge, Tuan Nguyen; Deputy Managing Director, Georgette Deemer; Honolulu Police Commissioner Max Sword; HFD Chief Manuel Neves; Kauai Police Chief Darryl Perry; Police Chiefs of Hawaii Assn.; SHOPO President, Tenari Ma'afala; and finally Honolulu Police Chief, Louis Kealoha.

Deputy Managing Director Georgette Deemer presented Chief Dave a Proclamation on behalf of Mayor Kirk Caldwell of the City and County of Honolulu, proclaiming September 30th as Deputy Chief Dave M. Kajihiro Day.  Police Chief Louis Kealoha related that it's a happy day, and yet a sad day because of Chief Kajihiro's retirement.  He will be hard to replace with all his expertise in handling the administrative side for the department. Click to: See Video   Photo Slide-Show "click here."

2015 National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 860 Annual Retirement Banquet

This year the National Association of Letter Carriers (NALC) Branch 860 Annual Retirement Banquet was held at the Harbor View Center at Honolulu Harbor's Pier 38 Waterfront on Saturday, July 25, 2015.  The following retirees were present (L/R), Ernest Bernal, from Downtown Station, with 29 years of service, Crystal Morita, from Downtown Station, with 30 years of service and Mark Andreyka, from Kailua Post Office, with 35 years of service. A total of 94 years.


Executive VP Alvin Matsumura presented the "2015 Steward of the Year" award to Michelle Luke who attended the leadership Academy in Washington D.C., and graduated 18 Class, December 2014.  Howard Komine, NALC President, (bottom middle photo) Branch 860 presented the 2015 "Samuel V. K. Hipa" award to Jason Shapiro.

Guest speakers were Chris Jackson, (bottom left photo) National Business Agent-Region 1, serving letter carriers in California, Hawaii, Nevada and the territory of Guam; Manny Peralta, (bottom right photo) NALC's Director of Safety and Health; and Cynthia Ishizaki speaking on behalf of Mike Kajiwara, Hawaii Foodbank's Director of Product Donations.

Special guests were Chuck Lum, NAPS President and Safety Manager and guest; Laurie Ramelb, Postmaster at Waipahu Station; Meni Ortiz, APWU Local President and guest; APWU Local Vice President, Gena Moeava; Mike Kajiwara, Hawaii Foodbank's Director of Product Donations and wife, Sonia Kajiwara; Mrs. Jackie Hipa, wife of the late Sam Hipa and daughter, Toni Walker; and Mike McGinn from the District Safety Team and his wife, Suzy McGinn.

The Emcee was Kaui Lelepali.  Karaoke provided by S&L Karaoke, and background music by Jonathan Cabagbag.  Photos and Video by Hawaii Local News - AlanKSportsHawaii and special thanks to Harbor View Center's Shane Rivera for the accommodations for my camera crew.  For Video "click here" and Photo Slideshow "click here".  Photo order web link "click here".

2015 Oahu Hawaiian Canoe Race Association Championship at Ke'ehi Lagoon, Oahu, HI

The 2015 OHCRA Championship was held on Sunday, July 19, 2015 at Ke'ehi Lagoon Park located on Oahu, Hawaii.  It was a beautiful day for all that attended.  AAA Division Hui Nalu Canoe Club captured their third OHCRA Championship with 170 points, followed by Lanikai with 161 points, Outrigger 158 points and Kailua with 141 points. "Congratulations" to The Hui Nalu Canoe Club.

For the candid video of the 2015 OHCRA Championship "click here." For the candid photo slideshow "click here." For the over all final results "click here."

HAWAIIAN ISLAND TWISTERS GYMNASTICS

Joe Rapp - Founder and Executive Director and Head Coach

Today, I stopped by at Ranch 99 looking for a great deal on a plate lunch and instead ran into the Hawaiian Island Twisters Gymnastics.  It was an awesome treat meeting up with Joe Rapp (photo above), Founder and Executive Director and Head Coach.  It was amazing to watch his elite students going through their practice and I forgot all about my plate lunch.  Joe related that "HIT" started back in Kaneohe in 2006.  They since moved to Mapunapuna  Ranch 99 Market and have been here for the past 10 years.  "Our goal here is to educate kids not only in the sport of gymnastics, but in life and to get them in Collegiate Gymnastics and full right scholarship.  Since I started "HIT" we have had 34 full right scholarships and 22 partial scholarships."

Hawaiian Island Twisters (HIT) is a nonprofit gymnastics program dedicated to enriching the lives of boys and girls of all ages.  What started as a team of twenty girls has grown to a program that serves over a thousand athletes.  From toddler to high school, from recreational to competitive our gym continues to push boundaries and more important, our gymnasts have not lost sight of the primary goal, which is to have fun in a healthy, supportive environment.  Information provided by Hawaiian Island Twisters Gymnastics.  Accomplishment Highlights of: Josh Yee and Logan Agcaoili  Video and Hawaiian Island Twisters Gymnastics Facebook "HIT."

35th Anniversary "The Witness Pacific Island Praise "

Tonight I was invited to the 35th Celebrating Anniversary, "The Witness Pacific Island Praise" held at the Central Seventh-Day Adventist Church located in upper Nu'uanu by Music Director of the Samoan Gospel Heralds, Keith Autele (photo below).  The entire show along with the Samoan Gospel Heralds performance was unbelievable. "Wow" I was lost for words and you had to be here to feel and appreciate the performance.

The Witness "Pacific Island Praise" unforgettable passion play as the cast celebrates 35 years of telling the story of Jesus!  Kalani Po'omaihealani returns to the role of Peter, and you will hear again your favorite soloists and cast members from past productions as they reunite to mark the 35th Anniversary tonight at the Honolulu Central Seventh-Day Adventist Church located at 2313 Nu'uanu Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii. To see this performance "click here."

2015 "Stew" Joseph Kalama Sr. Annual Memorial Canoe Race at Ke'ehi Lagoon.

Today at Ke'ehi Lagoon, OHCRA, O'ahu Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association held their first 2015 Pre-Season Race. This race was a special event honoring "Stew" Joseph Kalama Sr., Annual Memorial Canoe Race, sponsored by Kai Oni Canoe Club. It was an honor covering this event.  The information below was shared to me by Kalani Kaanaana, Coordinator, Native Hawaiian Clinical Health & Community Programs at The Queen's Medical Center.

Kai Oni Canoe & Athletic Club was founded in 1952 by Joseph "Stew" Kalama and Max Kamaiopili and their friends who were interested in canoe paddling. On August 18, 1953 the club was formally chartered and organized as a 501 (c) 3 non profit. That same year, it was formally accepted into the Hawaiian Canoe Racing Association.

Kai Oni received its first koa canoe from South Kona. The manuiwa was born by the hands of master canoe carver and uncle of Stew, Charles Mokuohai.  Along with Manuiwa, Uncle Charles, would gift the club two koa four man canoes the Popoia and Mokulua which were used as practice canoes.

As Kai Oni grew, we began competing in baseball, basketball, volleyball and other community events. Over the years the club garnered many wins and trophies but most important were the memories made and relationships formed. Although the trophies have become rusted and tarnished, the memories are clear as day and the relationships remain unchanged and stronger than ever.

Throughout our history we have seen the highs and the lows, as any organization of our age has, but we remain resolute in ensuring that the Manuiwa soars high and the Kanaiaumoana continues to conquer. Video "click here" Photos "click here."