KAPAAU — It’s been 20 years since Hi-Pal sponsored boxing on the Big Island.
KAPAAU — It’s been 20 years since Hi-Pal sponsored boxing on the Big Island.
That changed Saturday night at Hisaoka Gym at Kamehameha Park in Kapaau.
The Hawaii Isle Police Activities League hosted the first exhibition and card boxing competition since 1997 for keiki age 9-18 thanks to North Kohala Community Policing Officer KJ Kauahikaua.
Kauahikaua boxed for the Hi-Pal league from 1992-1997 in Hilo. He thought it to would be a great idea to bring the program back to the Big Island. When the department’s administration changed and he was promoted to community policing in 2014, Kauahikaua took advantage of the new policies to bring districts together and brainstorm on what projects could garner community involvement.
Boxing was first and foremost on his mind.
“When I first joined Community Policing I thought it would be great to have it back” said Kauahikaua. “I was a Hi-Pal boxer back in the day. We had to start from the beginning and it was a long process, a couple of years to get here.”
But it is back, and hopefully here to stay.
Previously, boxers from the Big Island needed to travel to Honolulu for sanctioned events which created financial hardships for the athletes and clubs.
“We needed a venue to compete here” said Kauahikaua.
Hisaoka Gym was available and the event became a collaborative effort between districts to create Saturday’s sanctioned boxing bouts.
The goal is to have two more events this year. Next year’s schedule is still being considered and will be announced when finalized.
Kona Boxing Club member Christian Mendez Flores, 10, is officially 2-0 after Saturday’s bout. He was very excited about competing in a card sanctioned event. One could see the adrenaline running through the keiki’s veins by his excitement after being handed the decision by the judges.
When asked his favorite part of the event, Mendez Flores replied “when you start.”
He went on to explain that he liked using all his training on a real fight.
“It’s a good place for keiki to get their feet wet.” Kauahikaua said.
Results of card fights:
Zahriah Cottrell, Boxfit808 unanimous decision vs Aimani Abraham, HIBC
Kanale Saunoa, HIBC split decision vs Jiohvani Seto Ramos KBC
Christian Mendez Flores, KBC unanimous decision vs Khaisyn Abraham, HIBC
Elijah Borges-Apao, HIBC unanimous decision vs Vicente Fortunato, Perry
Albert Haa, HIBC, split decision vs Paie Larin Yeshua
Cy Ezra Borges-Apao, HIBC unanimous decision vs TJay Lareau, Eastside