Journey rocks the Big Island!

First Earth, Wind, and Fire. Now Journey! They will be on the Big Island to rock all of us 80's kids. Can't wait. We'll be there singing away along with our favorite tunes...Open Arms, Who's Crying Now, Faithfully, etc. That Pineda dude's come a long way since his Youtube days. Hope I don't drink too much so that I can remember the concert in its entirety. Unlike the Eagles and Earth, Wind and Fire concerts previously attended!

By the way, hope that whoever is bringing these bands in keep bringing in the top acts from America. Wonder how they can top this off? The Stones, possibly?

Master's degree

I'm proud to announce that I've successfully completed my Master's degree in Adapted Physical Education. My cohort of six all struggled throughout the year and came out like champs. We are all so overwhelmed by the sacrifices made during the year, yet have been rewarded accordingly. The DOE will now be a better place knowing that we'll be servicing our students with disabilities with the highest of qualifications. My kudos go out to my cohort members for their support throughout the year and also to all of our wonderful professors at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

UH Warriors Football

Here's my prediction for the next three games: the Warriors will run the table in a convincing fashion and earn a spot on December 24 at the Hawaii Bowl! Yeay, I get to watch them play on X-mas eve. HOHOHO!

Waikoloa Nights

This past weekend, me and a bunch of alcoholic buddies ventured out to the west side of the island to holoholo and check out Earth, Wind, and Fire (yes, the infamous EWF from the 70's and 80's) perform at the Waikoloa Night's inaugural concert at their new outdoor concert venue. What an awesome concert it was. They haven't lost a beat, even without their group's founder, Maurice White. The horn section was crisp sounding and the vocals lead by the one and only falsettoist Phillip Bailey left the crowd in amazement.

Kudo's and mahalo to the concert organizers. It was an opportune time for us locals to blow our stimulus checks and to get away for a weekend. How appropriate that it was on 'Labor Day.' The outdoor amphitheatre like environment reminded me of the Waikiki Shell. The lawn area, neatly manicured bermuda type golf course grass and easy on the okoles, sloped down onto the reserved seating area fronting the huge stage. Of course, the weather was your typical Waikoloa/Kona evening. It was a great idea to keep the beer garden seperate from the seating area as many of our friends hung out there for most of the evenings, either getting hammered or just catching up with pals from around the island. They also had choke ono ono local grinds from neighboring restaurants.

It was a nice island get together of sorts as we ran into choke friends we hardly see in town. It had a nice ambience of the Big Island's character. People of all ages and generations were dancing up a storm and enjoying all of their hits. Even the extended instrumentals were something to appreciate, showing the band's diversity. For $50, it was a steal. We can hardly wait for the next concert there. As we were discussing who'd be successful there, the likes of C&K's reunion, the Eagles, the Stones, and a reggae type fest would definitely draw. Hurry up and plan the next gig. I'll be there.........along with my alcoholic buddies again! Lastly, to all of my millions of viewers, mahalo for frequently checking my blog and our happenings here in paradise on the Big Island.

Remembering the 'Ace'

I first met Ken Yamase when he moved to the Big Island to continue his teaching career and coach baseball at Waiakea High School. I was in high school and remember him for assisting Warren Miyasaki on our team's baseball coaching staff. As a senior, I was a teacher's aide for one of my classes and clearly remember always sneaking away to go and hang out in his senior English class. This is where I first thought that this guy was alright. He had a dynamic and non-conventional way of delivering his course content as any of his former students will attest to this day. I wandered how an individual with a slight local pidgin accent could be teaching English? You had to be in his class to experience what all the students learned first hand. He knew how to get your attention and was always keeping everyone loose by his sense of humor and intriguing course content.

I'd always keep in touch with him throughout college and my years working at UH Manoa. I'd always bring him UH sports schedule posters, media guides, and whatever apparel I could get my hands on. He was always appreciative and proud to be sporting this around town. He'd always be there for me whenever I needed consultation about sports, teaching, and even coaching. His expertise and willingness to share were insurmountable as he was always a giving person which I learned.

It wasn't until I moved back to Hilo and was a neighbor of his that I really got to know the true character of this person. See, he'd frequently stop by my house on his way home from work and we'd share a cold beverage (or two, three, etc...) and just sit and talk about stuff, whether it be about work, family, fishing, diving, poking tako, softball, or just life, in general. I'd always invite him to get-togethers at my house on the weekends and he'd always come, especially after a football game he worked hard at all day. He'd pull up in his white Harper's van he rented for the day and buss' out da pupus which were left overs from the concessions, and anyone who knows Waiakea concessions, they had the ono ono grinds........from roast pork to the mac salad (and whatever else he could get his two hands on).

We were also teammates on a local softball team where we'd marvel at his somewhat unorthodox swing and throwing motions, but he always seemed to be successful at these skills. Even during high school baseball practice, he'd throw us batting practice with his unique and unorthodox pitching style. He was always able to throw mostly strikes.

While he was the athletic director at my alma mater, he had already established himself as being a strong vocal leader, showed dedication, and gave new meaning to commitment to excellence. He had a vision of how Big Island athletics could be in order to service the student-athletes in developing well rounded individuals and contributing community members. He was well respected by all and everyone worked hard for him as well. I'd always be fascinated by his insights and his communication and delivery of his thoughts and feelings as he was all for the betterment of everyone involved. He never wanted to be in the spotlight, although everyone knew and respected the effort he put into his profession.

When I had the chance, I'd talk to him about life in general. He loved talking about his family as was evident by his priority with them. His experiences and knowledge and openness to sharing with me were priceless. I will never forget his wittiness and sense of humor, as it was a way for him to metaphorically express his ideas in ways we could relate to. I'd always crack up hysterically at things he'd say and convey to me. I learned a lot of life lessons from him. We also remember his infamous look he had, head tilted down, his eyes looking, staring at you from above the lenses of his glasses......the memories.

In closing, please join me in remembering all the fond memories that he impacted us with during his lifetime. For me, the memories are endless. He'll leave behind a legacy that I hope will continue through new leadership. We should rejoice and thank him for the full and prosperous life he's lived and left behind. We will all truly and dearly miss him. I'm just fortunate to have been able to call him "friend."

May he rest in peace and may his aumakua bring all of us plenty of fish from the waters he truly passioned for!

UH Warrior Fans? Commited or Front Runners?

Everyone speaks of how UH football has the greatest fans in the nation. I beg to differ. Take a look at the history of UH's football attendance. There's a direct correlation between increased attendance and victories. Get it? I believe that Hawaii fans are truly front runners and who enjoy a winner. Same goes for their other sports. The day they can sell out their pre-season allotment of ticket sales, and when every game is a sellout, regardless if it's against a DII team, then we can rest assured in knowing that we have the greatest and most loyal fans in the nation. Even after last year's miraculous season, there's tons of 'supporters' taking a wait-and-see approach to how the new staff and personnel will perform. Take a look at those Big Ten and SEC powerhouses.....now those are commited and dedicated fans. Win or lose, they're out there supporting their team.

And that's a wrap for now.

APERT Cohort

We are on our homestretch for our Master's program of studies in Adapted Physical Education. This program is through the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and is preparing us to be certified adapted physical educators. I, personally, have three more classes to go along with several comprehensive exams and a paper due in the fall. If all goes well, we'll be walking the line come this December. I've attached pictures of cohort.

I've been busting my ass this past year and have made numerous sacrifices along the way. After it's all said and done, it'll all be worthwhile! Can't wait.