Short Hops

Trio of Steelers among those to get big Pop Warner honor

Trio of Steelers among those to get big Pop Warner honor

Three local football standouts recieved an honor not only for their play on the field, but also off of it.

Grayson Gambee, Garrison Higgins and Kamakanamailuna Maioho of the Leeward Steelers were recently selected to the 2017 Pop Warner All-American Scholars second team.

According to the Pop Warner website, also making the second team were: O’Shen Cazimero (Kohala, 7th grade), Baily Gadusan (Wailoa, 7th), Kacen Hamada (Westside, 7th), Shane Mejia (Waiakea 7th), Dawstin Ho’Opai (Kohala, 10th), Kailee Ann Kahawaii (Westside, 8th), Nanami Kozakai (Westside, 8th), Teva Tinao (Westside, 8th)

Honorable mentions included: La’Akea Inciong (Waiakea, 5th grade), Kahaukepa Aipia-Peters (Panaewa, 6th), Kainoa Gadfrey (Waimea 7th), La’Akea Kauka (Kohala 7th), Elijah Hall (Westside, 7th), Adrienne Picadura (Leeward, 7th), Damien Padilla (Kohala, 7th), Ryan Juan-Kealoha (Kohala, 8th).

Pop Warner will hold a special Recognition weekend in Philadelphia in May to honor all the All-American Scholars from across the country.

Each year, the most academically accomplished Pop Warner kids compete for Academic All-American status. In 2017, more than 6,100 scholars qualified for the Pop Warner All-American Scholar program, representing the top 2 percent of all scholar-athletes in the Pop Warner program nationwide. The PWLS All-American Program requires a minimum 96 percent grade point average to apply.

Lavakids Family Fun Runs

On April 15, LavaKids, in partnership with Club Rehab, will host its Family Fun Runs at 7 a.m. on Ane Keohokalole Highway beginning at the West Hawaii Civic Center. Look for the Lavaman flags. This is a free event and open to all ages.

Registration will take place at 7 a.m. followed by a keiki dash at 7:45 a.m.. The one-mile run/walk, 2-mile run/walk and 5k run/walk will begin at 7:55 a.m. This event is open to both keiki and adults. Games and supervision will be provided for keiki during the 5k for parents wanting to participate.

The guest speaker will be Dana Stang, owner of Yoga Hale, who will talk about the importance of balance, flexibility and breath. Additionally, there will be Easter festivities.

Pre-register at lavakids.org for extra chances to win raffle for prizes. For more information visit www.lavakids.org or contact eventinfo@lavakids..org.

Advanced basketball development training program

An Advance basketball development training program will be held at Kekuaokalani gym at Old Airport on April 15 and 22 from 9:30 a.m. to noon. Ex and current UH-Hilo Vulcans players Aukai Wong and Randan Berinobis will be the lead instructors for the clinic. This is a free advanced year round program and previous experience is preferred for ages 10-17. For more information call 327-3553

HPA to host Horse Show

The 41st annual Hawaii Preparatory Academy Horse Show, featuring Jumping and Play Day events, will be held at 9 a.m. on April 23, at the school’s Upper Campus in Waimea. The event is free for spectators and open to the public.

Nancy Steinecke, USEq Dressage ‘r’ of Kamuela, will judge. Steinecke has been instructing and training in the equestrian venue for more than 40 years. She currently is a licensed dressage judge with the United States Equestrian Federation, one of only three in the state of Hawaii.

Riders will compete in the following classes: Play Day (All classes try to be grouped by ability.) 1. Leadline; 2. Walk/Trot Pleasure (English or Western); 3. Walk/Trot Equitation (English or Western); 4. Pleasure (English or Western); 5. Equitation (English or Western); 6. Bucket Elimination (English or Western); 7. Ribbon Race (English or Western); 8. Balance and Hold Game (English or Western); 9. Drop Race; 10. Ride and Lead (English or Western); 11. Bending Poles; 12. Barrel Race; 13. Cross Rails Equitation – Trot and/or Canter; 14. Jumper Over Cross Rails; 15. Hunter Hack 2’3”; 16. Jumper 2’3” to 2’6”; 17. Equitation Over Fences – 2’6” to 2’9”; 18. Hunter Hack 2’9”; 19. Jumper 2’9” to 3’3”

Entry deadline is April 17. Entry fee is $8 per class, plus a $10 non-refundable office fee. Classes are subject to change due to entries and weather. Post entries are allowed. For more information or show registration, contact show manager Judy Folk at 885-4302 (email: jfolk@hawaiiantel.net).

Brantley Center golf tournament

The Brantley Center, a services provider for people with disabilities, will host its 39th annual golf tournament at Waikoloa Village Golf Course on April 23. The tournament starts at 8 a.m. with a shotgun start and a two-person best ball modified format. Entry fees are $125 per player and it includes a chance to win $10,000 for hole-in-one.

Brantley Center, founded in 1964 by Sergeant Gilbert Brantley, a former National Guard Advisor, provides adult day programs for clients with physical, emotional or mental disabilities. In a safe and supportive environment, men and women from North Hilo, Hāmākua and Kohala receive independent life skills and employment training, vocational rehabilitation, and help transitioning into the regular job market. Work opportunity is also available for some clients through the Center’s business services, such as aquaponic lettuce, auto detailing, janitorial, lawn and landscaping services.

Golfers and non-golfers are invited to contribute to the benefit golf tournament, and various sponsorship levels are available. Organizers also welcome silent auction items, gift certificates and other donations at all price levels, to generate enthusiasm and give everyone a chance to participate.

For more information, please contact Golf Tournament Chairman Roland Kaneshiro, 987-7712, or call the Brantley Center, 775-7245.

Kai Ehitu Tee-off Fore Team Golf Tournament

The Kai Ehitu Outrigger Canoe Club will host its third annual golf tournament at the Big Island Country Club on April 23. Registration starts at 6 a.m. and play will begin with a shotgun start at 7 a.m. The entry fee is $125 per person. There will be a $25,000 hole-in-one jackpot cash prize. To register at 4-person team or to sponsor a hole or prize donation, contact Dave Yamagata at 987-9480. For complete details visit Kaiehitu.org.

Kalakaua Basketball Clinic

A basketball clinic for boys and girls from kindergarten to 12th grade will be provided April 28-30 at Honokaa County Gym. The camp will go on Friday from 5:30-8:30 p.m. (K-12) and on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon (K-6) and 1-4 p.m. (7-12).

Registration fee is $60. For more information contact Cheyenne Meyers at 345-8751, Lavina Hanohano at 854-6442 or Alyssa Salazar at 938-8487. Registration forms are available at the gym or then can be emailed (mhkhanohano@gmail.com).

HI-PAL hosting boxing event

The Hawaiʻi Police Department’s Community Policing Section – Hawaiʻi Isle Police Activities League announces it’s next boxing event will be held at the Thelma Parker Gymnasium in Kamuela on May 6. Weigh-ins will be from 9 a.m.-10:30 a.m. and the fights will start at 6:00 p.m. The event is free to the public and there will be a concession.

The HI-PAL Boxing Program targets youth ages 8-17, who are interested in an organized, full-contact sport.

“We were overwhelmed with the support of the community from the first event held in North Kohala. We want to continue to provide these events for our keiki and encourage more athletes, coaches and clubs to participate,” said HI-PAL Boxing organizer, Officer KJ Kauahikaua. “It’s great for the kids, and even more so for the boxing spectators.”

Anyone who is interested in this program may contact Kauahikaua at 889-6540 or by email at kapelieli.kauahikaua@hawaiicounty.gov.

Big Island Sports Academy hosting “Special Forces” football camp

Big Island Sports Academy will be hosting a six clinics focusing on special teams play for kickers, holders, punters, long snappers and returners June 8-11 at Konawaena High School for boys and girls ages 12-18. Day of event registration is $150.

The camp will be led by Coach Paul Alsbury, a high school and collegiate All-American from Edinburg, Texas, who had a brief career as a punter for the Dallas Cowboys before becoming a high school and college coach and athletic director. NFL and CFL place kicker Sergio Castillo will also attend, as well as Haskell Buff, a highly successful special team coach who served most recently as the defensive coordinator and special team coach at Texas A&M.

FilAm Friendship Doubles Tennis Tournament

The 11th annual FilAm Friendship Doubles Tennis Tournament will take place July 15-16 at Holua.

The tournament will host the following formats: regular doubles teams (not team tennis), men’s, women’s, mixed, 6.0, 7.0, 7.5, 8.0, 8.5 and open.

Cost is $35 per player for one event for $60 for two events. Free food and drinks provided to registered players. Registration is not currently open but to be notified of open registration email lovette@gonnalove-it.com. Deadline is July 10 at midnight

On the Emily T Gail Show

Dick Mudry, long time golf writer including writing the copy for many years for the Masters Annual, a publication of Augusta National, reflects on how the Masters has evolved from the early years. He talks about Arnold Palmer, who passed away this year, and his absence at the Masters, and has updates on the PGA, LPGA and more.

Mudry lives in Florida and is a forever fan of his hometown Pittsburgh Pirates. He talks about attending MLB spring training games, the impact of MLB spring training on tourism and the new Detroit Tigers spring training facility being testimonial to the impact.

The Emily T Gail Shows espnhawaii.com are also available at emilytgailtalkstory.podomatic.com and Emily T Gail on Facebook. For information contact Emily at 808 896-6780 or emilytgail@gmail.com.