Short Hops | March 6
Kauikeaouli Festival Races at Keauhou
On March 14 Keauhou Canoe Club will host the 4th annual Kauikeaouli Festival Races. A 6-man race for recreational paddlers will open for registration at 7 a.m. with an 8 a.m. start for the 3-mile course. This event welcomes all recreational paddlers with only the steers person being a registered racing member. There are divisions for 6-men, 6-women and mixed crew with 3-men and 3-women paddlers. Brunch and awards at the Keauhou Canoe Club halau will follow the event.
The second event of the Kauikeaouli Festival Challenge will be the 17th annual Kuuipo Race, next in the HIPA series of races for OC1, OC2, OC3, V-1, Surfskis and stand-up paddleboards, which starts at 10 a.m. Registration for the 3-mile junior race, and the 6.5-mile short course to Lyman’s Bay and return to Keauhou, opens at 8 a.m. at Keauhou Canoe Club, and the 10-mile course paddlers may register at the HIPA halau at Honokohau Harbor, since the course will start outside Honokohau and finish at Keauhou Bay.
For more information, please call Jane Bockus at 937-7890.
Special Olympics Torch Run
First Hawaiian Bank and Hawaii Police Department are partnering to sponsor the 30th annual Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run/Walk on April 11th. It is a benefit for Special Olympics West Hawaii.
The Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run is a noncompetitive run/walk, and the purpose is to raise awareness and funds for the athletes of Special Olympics Hawaii. The event is named after fallen Honolulu Police Officer Troy Barboza, who volunteered as a Special Olympics coach and participated in the first Torch Run in Hawaii held in 1985.
The event begins at 8:30 a.m. on April 11th at First Hawaiian Bank in Kailua-Kona.
Donations of $30 are requested and donors will receive a 2015 commemorative Torch Run shirt. Sizes and styles are limited. Interested participants should call Sharon Yong at 756-2186 for entry form, or email sowhdenise@gmail.com
Kona Sailing Club Teen Sailing
Teens interested in small boat sailing are invited to join in March events hosted by Kona Sailing Club. Teen Sailing Days will be March 20 and 26.
Sailing will be on boats 12-21 feet. US Sailing certified instructors will lead the sailing activies. Participants will start from the Kona Sailing Club at Honokohau Harbor at 10 a.m. and finish at 3 p.m. Fee for KSC members $15. The guest/visitor fee is $20.
For more information email bisf@earthlink.net or call 325-5529.
Kai Opua Regatta Season practice schedules
Regatta season practice has started for Kai Opua keiki. Girls practices are on Mondays and Wednesdays, boys practices are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Paddling practice starts at 4 p.m. Dues for 18-and-under paddlers is $10.
Novice women paddling practice will start March 16 at 4:30 p.m. A meeting for all Kai Opua women will be held at 5:30 p.m. on March 30 at the KOCC halau at Kona Old Airport Park. Open and age division women will start practice at 5:30 p.m. April 1. Women’s practices are on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Kai Opua’s men practice is on Tuesday and Thursdays. Novice B and 60+ division men start at 4:30 p.m., all others at 5:30 p.m. The 50-plus division men have started practice. A meeting for all men will be at the KOCC halau on March 24 at 5 p.m. All men’s divisions will have paddling practice at the Kailua Pier commencing on March 26.
For more information about Kai Opua Canoe Club, go to kaiopua.org.
Fishing tourney benefits Honokohau
The Hawaii Fishing and Boating Association will host a fishing tournament fundraiser March 21 to support Honokohau Harbor and improvements. Cost is $100.
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 Kua Bay Training Tim Trial
On March 21 at 8 a.m. the Hawaii Cycling Club will host the Kua Bay Training Time Trial. Three different distances will be offered:
• 24.5-mile course: Registration will be at turnoff to Kua Bay from 7:15-7:45 a.m. Start will be at the entrance to West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery at 8 a.m. and will finish at the Veterans Cemetery left turn sign on the Makai side of the highway.
• 12.2-mile course: Registration is at Bike Works Beach and Sports at the Queens Shops from 7:15-7:40 a.m. Start will be just South of Waikola Beach Road at 8 a.m. and will finish at the Veterans Cemetery left turn sign on the Makai side of the highway.
• 6-mile course: Registration is at scenic point parking lot from 7:15-7:45 a.m. Start will be at sign about 1/4-mile south of scenic point at 8 a.m. and will finish at the Veterans Cemetery left turn sign on the Makai side of the highway.
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. on race day. The 110-mile riders begin their Century Ride at 6:30 a.m. The Metric Century, 64-mile group, rolls out at 7:30 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 (event name Hawaii Century; location Kawaihae). The fee is $50 until March 23, then $60 thereafter.
Visit hawaiicyclingclub.com for information on all of HCC’s events.
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.
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 a preseason paddling event hosted at Kamakahonu Beach (next to Kailua Pier) on 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 Anaehoomalu Bay.
The event will be held on March 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
