Short Hops | March 6

Kerr sinks hole-in-one in Waikoloa

Mickey Kerr made his first hole in one Feb. 22 at Waikoloa Village Golf Course.

The shot came on the par-3 hole No. 21 from the white tee.

The shot was from 118 yards out and Kerr used a pitching wedge to accomplish the feat.

Witnesses of the shot were Greg Mooers, Al grove and Richard Purdue.

Fishing tourney benefits Honokohau

The Hawaii Fishing and Boating Association will host a fishing tournament fundraiser March 21 to support Honokohau Harbor and improvements.

The tournament will run from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Registration, rules and entry forms available the Charter Desk at Honokohou Harbor, which can be reached by phone at 329-5735.

PATH Run for Hops

Peoples Advocacy for Trails Hawaii (PATH) will host the eighth running of the Kona Brewers Festival-Run for Hops on March 14 at 7:30 a.m.

The start and finish will be at BMW Hawaii on Loloku St. The event is a fundrasier benefiting the PATH Bike Ed Safety Program for Hawaii Island fourth graders.

Entry forms and in-person registration are available at Bike Works in Kona, Bikeworks Beach & Sport at The Queens’ Marketplace in Waikoloa and Big Island Running Company stores. Limited race day entry is available from 6:15-7 a.m.

Online registration is available at pathhawaii.org. Questions can be directed to Joe Loschiavo at joe@pathhawaii.org.

Kai Opua Businessmen’s Regatta and Dog Paddle

The Kai Opua 16th annual Businessmen’s Regatta is April 19. Participants are invited to join the fun for a day on the water and show their company’s team spirit.

Divisions include: Hospitality, Service, Professional, Government, Retail/Business, Kupuna and Experienced/Open. Crews can be men, women or mixed. There will also be double-hull divisions as well awards for best costume.

Registration starts at 8 a.m., and racing begins at 9 a.m. Kai Opua will supply paddles and steersmen if desired. Bring your own paddles if possible.

Early registration is $110 per six-person crew. Race day registration is $120 entry fee per six-person crew. Double-hull entry fees are discounted if also entering six-person events. Entry fee includes a lunch and awards sponsored by Huggo’s and Corona.

New this year is the inaugural Dog Paddle. One dog, one human and one stand-up paddle board. Get your pup and paddle from the 1/4 mile flag to the finish at the pier. Awards for small, big and stuffed dog divisions. Registration at 8 a.m. Dog paddle is at 9 a.m. and it is a $15 entry. A portion of entry goes to the Hawaii Island Humane Society.

For early online registration, go to kaiopua.org/bizregatta.asp. For more information, call 938-8577.

Hawaii Cycling Club Lavaman training

On March 21 at 8 a.m. the Hawaii Cycling Club’s Kua Bay Training Time Trial is providing triathletes and cyclists an opportunity to test themselves by competing in one of three distances on the Lavaman bicycle course — six miles, 12.2 miles and 24.5 miles. All segments will end at the entrance to Kua Bay on Highway 19 but start at 8 a.m. from three different locations.

Either an annual membership or a one day membership is required to participate. The annual membership fee is $20. The one day fee is $5, if paid by March 18 but $10 thereafter.

Visit hawaiicyclingclub.com for more information and the membership form.

Hawaii Cycling Club Century ride

The Hawaii Cycling Club’s second annual Hawaii Century is taking place on April 12th starting and ending at Spencer Beach Park.

With three routes — 110 miles, 64 miles and 30 miles — the Century is an opportunity for novice and intermediate athletes as well as experienced cyclists to ride a different route or a longer distance.

Cyclists ride at their own pace: as individuals, with friends, in groups, in pace lines, etc. The Century rides are not timed.

All net proceeds are donated to the organizations charity partner, North Hawaii Hospice. The Century raised $2,498 in 2014.

Registration starts at 6 a.m. The 110 mile riders begin their Century ride at 6:30 a.m. The Metric Century, 64-mile group, rolls out at 6:30 a.m. Cyclists riding the 30 mile route start at 8 a.m.

Besides Aid Stations approximately every 20 miles and a lunch provided at the end, participants will receive a t-shirt to commemorate their participation.

Additional details including fees, maps and registration can be found at active.com.

Also visit hawaiicyclingclub.com for information on all of HCC’s events.

Kealakehe spring sports meeting

A mandatory parent Meeting for students involved in spring sports will be held March 10 at 6 p.m. in the school cafeteria. Parents do not have to attend this meeting if they have already been to a parent meeting previously this year.

For more information, contact athletic director Alan Vogt at 313-3774.

BIIF seeking water polo officials

The Big Island Interscholastic Federation is seeking water polo officials for the spring season.

For more information contact Kealakehe athletic director Alan Vogt at 313-3774, or Alan_Vogt/KEALAKEH/HIDOE@notes.k12.hi.us.

Panaewa free combine

The Panaewa Game Changing Empire Sports Combine will be held March 17-19. It is for the Classes of 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 for baseball, basketball, football, soccer, softball and volleyball players.

Players can test their athleticism, compare scores with other athletes and have scores sent to college coaches nationwide.

There is no charge.

Registration is being held and closes on March 12 at piaahawaii.com.

Free Under Armour shirts are available for volunteers on a first-come basis. Call Chelsie at 932-2607 with any questions.

Panaewa residents are asked to choose Panaewa Club under high school.

• March 17: outdoor sports at Waiakea High. Registration at 7:30 a.m. and mandatory parent/player meeting from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Practice drills from 10 a.m. to noon.

• March 18: at Waiakea High. Check-in at 8 a.m. for 40-yard dash, 60-yard dash, pro agility shuttle, L drill, vertical jump and broad jump. Event runs from 9 a.m. to noon.

• March 17: indoor sports at Panaewa Gym. Registration from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and mandatory parent/player meeting from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Practice drills from 2 to 4 p.m.

• March 19: at Panaewa Gym. Check-n at noon for 10-yard dash, 20-yard dash, approach jump, vertical jump, pro agility shuttle and broad jump. Event runs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Wahine Wildcat basketball looking to be “Best of”

The Konawaena girls basketball program has been selected to be part of the USA TODAY High School Sports’ “Best Of” contest series, which features the best girls basketball programs in the country.

The contest is currently underway with 255 of America’s top programs competing. A champion will be crowned March 23 after three rounds of voting. The athletic department will receive $1,000, a banner and bragging right if the Wildcats garner the most votes.

The contest considers more than just on-court success — factoring in fan support, facilities, traditions, coaching and player development. Led by head coach Bobbie Awa, the Wildcats have captured seven consecutive BIIF titles and six state championships since 2004. Konawaena just wrapped up a 30-1 season for its most recent state banner, beating Lahainaluna 51-41 in the state championship game.

More than 3,000 schools have been involved in at least one of the contests, with past champions hailing from Virginia, Missouri, Vermont, Illinois (three times), Kentucky, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Kansas.

To vote, visit contest.usatodayhss.com.

Pueo Kupuna softball team golf tourney

The Pueo Kupuna softball team with host its sixth annual golf tournament fundraiser March 29 at Big Island Country Club.

The tee time is 8 a.m. and the play of the day is two-man scramble, modified best ball.

For more information contact Jan Pakele at 895-3535.

West Side Hawaii Little League opens registration

West Side Hawaii Little League has opened up registration for Minors (ages 9-10) Majors (11-12) and Juniors (13-14) for Kona and Waikoloa.

For more information, call Kristi at 960-8042 or email kgacayan@hawaii.rr.com.

Football combine set for March

The Hawaii Island Underclassmen Combine will be held March 21 at Waiakea High’s football field.

According to a release, the purpose of the event is to improve combine scores.

Registration is available at nucsports.com, and the fee is $40. Check-in is at 8 a.m. and the combine starts at 9 a.m.

For more information, contact Dave Cosier Jr. at 861-5507.

On the Emily T Gail Show

Guests: David Marr III, NBC/ Golf comments on The Golf Channel documentary “Uneven Fairways.” He talks about his father, Dave Marr who won the PGA Championship in 1964 and later became a broadcaster as well.

Carol Connor has nice things to say about recreational opportunities at Waikoloa Beach Resort and offers good review of “Evita” at Aloha Theatre which runs till March 15.

Winona Chen of Kona Beach and Sports talks about how she got into doing triathlons, including IRONMAN, and shares how to get started with multi sport activities.

Gail’s shows are available at espnhawaii.com under the “lineup” tab, as a free podcast on iTunes, and at emilytgailtalkstory on Facebook.

Judo club holds Invitational tourney

The Kona Hongwanji Judo Club will hold its 21st annual Oyama Inivational Judo Tournament on March 15 at the Ellison Onizuka Gym at Konawaena High School.

The tournament starts at 9 a.m. and is open to the public.

Kai Opua Canoe Club Preseason Events

If you’re interested in Hawaiian outrigger canoe paddling, Kai Opua invites you to try it out at preseason paddling events hosted at Kamakahonu Beach (next to Kailua Pier). The events will be held March 7 and March 21 from 8:30 to 11 a.m.

All paddlers from kids, novice, competitive and recreational crews are welcome. Kai Opua will supply paddles. Please wear attire that can get wet.

Waikoloa Canoe Club seeks new paddlers

If your are interested in Hawaiian outrigger canoe paddling, Waikoloa Canoe Club invites you to a paddling clinic at Anaeho’omalu Bay.

The events will be held on March 7 and 14 from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Paddlers of all skill levels are invited, from kids, novice and competitive crews.

Paddles will be provided. Please wear attire that can get wet. Basic swimming required.

Have an event or results for Short Hops? Email J.R. De Groote at jdegroote@westhawaiitoday.com or sports@westhawaiitoday.com