MEDIA RELEASE

Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa has partnered with Kona Country Club, Makalei Golf Club and Big Island Country Club to offer golfers the opportunity to experience three of the island’s most unique golf courses.

“Hawaii Island is an island of adventure and for many residents and guests, that adventure includes golf,” said Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa Area Managing Director and General Manager Steve Lindburg. “We’re pleased to offer an attractively-priced golf package so that more of our guests might enjoy some of the finest courses in Hawaii that happen to be right here in our community.”

The new Kona Golf Trail Package begins at just $259 per night for two golfers in a partial ocean view room. The package requires a minimum three night stay so that each of the three courses can be experienced.

Players might begin their Kona Golf Trail experience by teeing it up on one of Kona Country Club’s two 18-hole courses within steps of Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa. Both courses can challenge the expert, yet prove entirely manageable for the novice.

Kona Country Club’s Ocean Course was designed by William Bell. Its natural settings hug the Pacific Ocean while offering gorgeous mountain views, wide, lush fairways, Bermuda grass greens and numerous sand bunkers. Championship Tee: Par 72, 6613 yards, Slope Rating 129, USGA rating 72.8.

Kona Country Club’s Mountain Course with breathtaking Kona coastline views, trails of ancient lava flows, and a cool mountain setting, was designed by William Bell and Nelson and Robin Wright. The course’s manicured Bermuda greens, elevated tees, numerous bunkers and three lakes make for challenging yet fun play. Championship Tee: Par 72, 6494 yard, Slope Rating 116, USGA rating 69.

Makalei Golf Club was designed by Dick Nugent & Associates. It boasts an elevation range from 1,800 to 2,850 feet. The layout in a cool, scenic, lush forest is an alternative to the island’s coastal golf course experiences. The temperate climate and elevation offer a challenge for golfers of all skill levels. Features at Makalei include Bent grass greens, lava tubes, cinder cones and a stone wall dating back more than a century. Championship Tee: Par 72, 7091 yards, Slope Rating 144 USGA rating 74.3.

Big Island Country Club’s par 72 course is designed to be enjoyable for novices through expert players. Designed by famed golf architect Perry Dye, the course features wide fairways and water in play on nine of the 18 holes. Its spectacular location and scenic beauty add to its well-deserved reputation along with wide, gently rolling Bermuda grass fairways, medium-size undulating Bent grass greens, and an abundance of water. Championship Tee: Par 72, 7034 yards, Slope Rating 136, USGA rating 73.9.

Golf only for two persons to play these three courses could easily add up to more than $650. With a three-night stay in one of Sheraton Keauhou Bay Resort & Spa’s spacious partial ocean view rooms inclusive of three rounds of golf for two totaling as little as $727 (plus taxes and resort service fees), the Kona Golf Trail package is a golfer’s value-added golf dream vacation come true.

— Find out more:
www.SheratonKeauhou.co…

MEDIA RELEASE

The Lance Armstrong Foundation has announced a partnership with Ironman to help raise more than $1 million for people affected by cancer.

Lance Armstrong, cancer survivor, champion cyclist and the foundation’s founder and chairman, will compete as a professional athlete in several Ironman and Ironman 70.3 races including Ironman 70.3 Panama, Memorial Hermann Ironman 70.3 Texas, Ironman 70.3 Florida, Ironman 70.3 Hawaii and Ironman France.

Armstrong is racing with the goal of qualifying for the Oct. 13, 2012 Ironman World Championship in Kailua-Kona, and will be competing as a member of Team Livestrong, which is adding these Ironman and Ironman 70.3 races to its endurance events series designed to raise funds for people affected by cancer.

“I am grateful to Ironman for partnering with Livestrong to raise funds and awareness for people affected by cancer,” said Armstrong. “In my career as an athlete and as a cancer advocate, I’ve learned that progress demands partnership, but it’s not without a struggle. And that’s what Team Livestrong is about – it’s about purpose; it’s about challenge and it’s about empowering survivors to fight like hell. There’s progress to be made with cancer and we invite anyone up for the challenge to join Team Livestrong.”

“At 13 years old, Lance got his start in triathlon by racing in the IronKids Series,” said Andrew Messick, Chief Executive Officer of World Triathlon Corporation. “At 16 years old, he went pro and was considered a star in our sport. At only 18, he was racing against the best triathletes in the world: Mark Allen, Dave Scott and Scott Molina. We are happy to have him return to our sport. Lance is a fierce competitor and his involvement with Ironman and Ironman 70.3 is good for triathlon.”

“Lance’s involvement at perhaps the toughest one-day event in all of sport sheds light on what surviving cancer can mean to millions around the world,” said Scott Tinley, two-time Ironman World Champion and Ironman Hall of Fame Inductee. “I remember Lance as a determined kid who channeled that competitive spirit into an amazing career as a cyclist, survivor and advocate for survivors of a horrible disease. A partnership between Livestrong and Ironman will further improve the lives of people affected by cancer. People need to realize that Lance’s foundation represents the use of sport to improve our world. There are only positive things that can come from having Lance join the Ironman family.”

“It is exciting to see Lance Armstrong, one of the greatest-ever endurance athletes, coming back to race triathlons in 2012,” said Craig Alexander, three-time Ironman World Champion and two-time Ironman 70.3 World Champion.

“Lance is an exceptional athlete; he’s the type of person who wants to excel and be the best at whatever he puts his mind to,” said Chris Lieto, multiple Ironman and Ironman 70.3 champion. “I’m excited to see how his participation in our sport will draw attention to what it takes to be a triathlete and how challenging it can be. It will definitely bring triathlon more into the mainstream and I know pro athletes, including myself, will look forward to racing with him at future events.”

Team Livestrong has a limited number of entries for these events and people interested in joining Armstrong should visit: www.TeamLIVESTRONG.org

Athletes who are already registered for one of these Ironman or Ironman 70.3 events can still race as part of Team Livestrong. General entry is also still available for each of these events and can be accessed at www.ironman.com

Through this partnership, Ironman will serve as a gold-level sponsor for the Team Livestrong Challenge Series. As a sponsor, Ironman will donate four Ironman World Championship slots in 2012 and 2013 to be auctioned with proceeds going directly to Livestrong.

Livestrong is the brand of the Lance Armstrong Foundation, created in 1997 by the cancer survivor and champion cyclist to serve people living with cancer and empower communities to take action.

The foundation specializes in patient navigation services that help cancer survivors and their families overcome the insurance, financial, emotional and practical challenges that accompany a cancer diagnosis. As a member of Team Livestrong, people walk, run, ride or tri in the fight against cancer in the Livestrong Challenge Series or in other major athletic events around the world.

By participating and fundraising for Team Livestrong, participants join a group of committed individuals dedicated to inspiring and empowering people affected by cancer.

To date, Team Livestrong participants have raised $82 million for Foundation programs and services.

World Triathlon Corporation (WTC) is a Tampa-based company recognized for athletic excellence, distinguished events and quality products. The WTC portfolio includes Ironman, Ironman 70.3, 5150 Triathlon Series, Iron Girl and IronKids, which have a combined total of more than 180 events worldwide each year.

Supported by partners including Timex, PowerBar, K-Swiss and TYR, Ironman is the No.1 user-based sports brand in the world and has been a respected name in triathlon since its inception in 1978.

Livestrong serves people affected by cancer and empowers them to take action against the world’s leading cause of death. Created as the Lance Armstrong Foundation in 1997 by cancer survivor and champion cyclist Lance Armstrong, the organization is now known publicly by its powerful brand — Livestrong — and is a leader in the global movement on behalf of 28 million people around the world living with cancer today.

Originating with the iconic yellow wristband, Livestrong has become a symbol of hope and inspiration to people affected by cancer around the world. Since its inception, the organization has raised $450 million for the fight against cancer.

— Find out more:
www.ironman.com
www.TeamLIVESTRONG.org
www.LIVESTRONG.org

Project delayed due to county building permit requirements pertaining to high winds

Honolulu, Hawaii. Rep. Jerry Chang and the Hawaii Island legislative delegation today received new information from the Department of Education on the status of the Hilo High School Gymnasium project, which they wanted to share with the community.

According to the Department, the Hilo High School gym project has been delayed due to difficulties in obtaining a Hawaii County building permit. The County is requiring the project to meet Chapter 3-180 Hawaii Administrative Rules, specifically an update to Section 423 pertaining to being able to sustain high winds of 155 miles per hour.

The project is currently designed to sustain 115 mph winds, which was agreed upon with the State Civil Defense. During the design phase of the project, the building was planned on the Uniform Building Code in effect when Hawaii County required only 80 mph. State Civil Defense continues to support the project at 115 mph due to the fact that the gym is intended to be used as an emergency shelter if needed, but not as a hurricane shelter.

While the DOE submitted the permit application prior to the adoption of the new rules, the County interprets the submittal date to be after the documents have been routed and approved by all other agencies. In this case, the County considers the project to fall under the newly adopted rules. Therefore, the Hilo High School gym application must follow the 155 mph requirement, and the consulting firm working on the project, Kober/Hanssen/Mitchell Architects, Inc., is redesigning portions of the gym to conform.

The DOE anticipates that the redesign may impact the cost of the project. A proposed solution from the consultant is expected on or around February 14, 2012.

“We are disappointed in the delays,” said Rep. Jerry Chang. “We hope that the DOE and the consultant can work out a solution with the County that will save as much time and money as possible. A new gymnasium is sorely needed in our community; the community has waited patiently, and we wanted to make sure that they knew the reasons for the delay.”

2012 First Hawaiian Bank Canoe Paddling Championships
Friday, February 3, 2012
At Hilo Bay

Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Boys Final

1. Punahou 03:34.825
2. Kamehameha Schools Kapalama 03:34.959
3. Kalaheo 03:39.047
4. Kailua 03:45.755
5. Roosevelt 03:46.564
6. Baldwin 03:48.844
7. Maui 03:50.290
8. Leilehua 03:54.498

Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Girls Final

1. Pac-Five 04:01.936
2. Kamehameha Schools Kapalama 04:02.413
3. Seabury Hall 04:06.572
4. Kamehameha Schools Maui 04:14.021
5. Kapaa 04:21.849
6. Kailua 04:26.352
7. Honokaa 04:27.929
8. Kealakehe 04:33.888

Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Mixed Final

1. Kamehameha Schools Kapalama 03:43.430
2. Punahou 03:43.620
3. Kalaheo 03:46.695
4. Seabury Hall 03:48.450
5. Baldwin 03:56.150
6. Parker 04:01.944
7. Kailua 04:03.504
8. Moanalua 04:07.180

— Find out more:
www.sportshigh.com

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

HPA had to settle for second place Saturday in the girls state soccer tournament on Oahu.

Mid-Pacific jumped into the lead in the 17th minute with a goal by AJ Johnson and that was all the No. 1 seed needed to win the crown.

HPA, which entered the tournament seeded No. 3 in the Division II bracket, finished the season with a 15-2 record.

In the Division II consolation bracket, Kamehameha Schools Hawaii topped Honokaa, 3-1, for 7th place honors.

Honokaa takes 8th place.

In Division I, No. 1 seed Kamehameha Schools Kalapama wrapped up the title with a 1-0 win against Iolani.

Also in Division I, Kealakehe got spanked by Baldwin, 5-3, and had to settle for 6th place.

Also, Konawaena fell to Kapolei, 3-0, and wound up in 8th place.

Editor’s note: The Super Bowl is being televised Sunday, February 5, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. Hawaii Standard Time on the local NBC affiliate KHNL. The Super Bowl is also being streamed live online for the first time. For more information about the online Super Bowl stream visit www.nfl.com

(For a list of worldwide times click here)

MEDIA RELEASE

Super Bowl XLVI will be played Feb. 5 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, which will be the first time the Super Bowl has been played in Indiana. Indianapolis is the northernmost city in the United States to host the Super Bowl since Detroit hosted Super Bowl XL in 2006. To commemorate this occasion, the Census Bureau has compiled a collection of facts examining the demographics of the host city, as well as the cities represented by the contenders, in this year’s edition of our nation’s most celebrated sporting event. Go to www. census.gov for more statistics about these cities.

New York (Giants)

1st
Where New York ranked on the list of the nation’s most populous cities. The population of New York in 2010 was 8,175,133.
Source: 2010 Demographic Profile

33.4%
Percentage of New York residents 25 and older who had a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2010; 79.6 percent had at least graduated from high school. The respective national figures were 28.2 percent and 85.6 percent. The percentage in New York who have graduated from high school did not differ significantly from the percentage for Indianapolis.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

38.7 minutes
Average amount of time it took New York residents to get to work — 22.7 percent of the city’s workers drove to work alone, 5.0 percent carpooled and 55.7 percent took public transportation. Nationally, it took workers an average of 25.3 minutes to get to work. The percentage of New York workers who drove to work alone and the percentage taking public transportation were significantly different from the national average and Indianapolis.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

49.2%
Percentage of New York residents 5 and older who spoke a language other than English at home. The national average was 20.6 percent.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

$48,743
Median household income for New York. The national median was $50,046. The figure for New York was not statistically different from the national average.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

$504,500
Median home value of owner-occupied homes in New York. The national median was $179,900. The figure for New York differed significantly from that for Indianapolis.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

Boston (New England Patriots)

22nd
Where Boston ranked on the list of the nation’s most populous cities. The population of Boston in 2010 was 617,594. The Patriots actually play in suburban Foxborough, Mass., which had a 2010 Census population of 16,865.
Source: 2010 Demographic Profile [1] [2]

44.3%
Percentage of Boston residents 25 and older who had a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2010; 85.8 percent had at least graduated from high school. The respective national figures were 28.2 percent and 85.6 percent. The percentage in Boston who had at least a bachelor’s degree was significantly higher from the percentage for Indianapolis.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

28.4 minutes
Average amount of time it took Boston residents to get to work — 38.3 percent of the city’s workers drove to work alone, 7.3 percent carpooled and 32.8 percent took public transportation. Nationally, it took workers an average of 25.3 minutes to get to work. The percentage of Boston workers who drove to work alone and the percentage taking public transportation were significantly different from the national average and Indianapolis.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

35.5%
Percentage of Boston residents 5 and older who spoke a language other than English at home. The national average was 20.6 percent.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

$49,893
Median household income for Boston. The national median was $50,046. The figure for Boston was not statistically different from the national average.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

$369,600
Median home value of owner-occupied homes in Boston. The national median was $179,900. The figure for Boston is significantly different from that for Indianapolis.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

Indianapolis (host city)

12th
Where Indianapolis ranked on the list of the nation’s most populous cities. The population of Indianapolis in 2010 was 820,445.
Source: 2010 Demographic Profile

26.7%
Percentage of Indianapolis residents 25 and older who had a bachelor’s degree or higher in 2010; 83.8 percent had at least graduated from high school. The respective national figures were 28.2 percent and 85.6 percent.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

22.2 minutes
Average amount of time it took Indianapolis residents to get to work — 82.6 percent of the city’s workers drove to work alone, 9.2 percent carpooled and 1.8 percent took public transportation. Nationally, it took workers an average of 25.3 minutes to get to work.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

12.7%
Percentage of Indianapolis residents 5 and older who spoke a language other than English at home. The national average was 20 percent.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

$38,502
Median household income for Indianapolis. The national median was $50,046. The figure for Indianapolis is statistically different than the national average.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

$118,100
Median home value of owner-occupied homes in Indianapolis. The national median was $179,900.
Source: 2010 American Community Survey

Caroline Steffen in the women's lead on Queen Kaahumanu Highway for the 2011 Ironman World Championship triathlon in Kona. Photo by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

(Kevin Mackinnon spends some time with the Swiss speedster)

Does this sound like anyone you know? She worked for the government; got into the sport from a swimming background; burst onto the scene with a podium finish in her first Ironman as a pro; quit her job to focus on the sport; started to work with Brett Sutton and has been a world-beater ever since.

OK, she might not be quite as outgoing or as well-known as Chrissie Wellington, but when it comes to racing, Caroline Steffen is the real deal.

Despite a foot injury that plagued her for the first six months of 2011, Steffen managed to win six races (including Ironman Australia, where she finished third to Chrissie Wellington and Rebekah Keat in 2009 and the Frankfurter Sparkasse Ironman European Championship) and put herself in a position to win in Kona before fading over the last 10 km.

After a runner-up Ironman World Championship finish in 2010, a fifth place finish might seem like a disappointment, but nothing could be further from the truth for Steffen. After struggling with the foot injury for so long, she went into Kona realizing her run training wasn’t perfect, but still went for the win. She led the race for over an hour before being passed by Wellington as the British star ran to her fourth world championship.

If Wellington chooses to make her year off from the sport a permanent retirement, Steffen might not ever have the chance to see how competitive she could be with the world champ, but she will have something to hang her hat on:

“At least I can say I was the last girl she passed in a race,” Steffen says in that awesome Swiss-English accent and with her wonderful laugh. “If she’s not coming back, I’m the last girl she had to beat.”

Over a year ago Steffen predicted that Wellington was raising the bar so high that even she would have trouble remaining ahead.

“She was the best over the last five years. All the girls wanted to beat her. I reckon that’s part of the reason she’s stopping now, because the girls are getting too close. I said that a year ago – someday there will be a girl who can beat her. She doesn’t have three legs or anything different, she’s just a really strong girl. I’m not saying that would be me, but one day there could be a girl who’s even stronger than her. Rinnie was really close this year … Chrissie had to go really hard to beat her.”

If there’s one thing Steffen could improve upon, it’s her own evaluation of her talent. In 2010, hours after she had narrowly been beaten to the finish line in Frankfurt by Sandra Wallenhorst, Steffen sat down in the bar of the Intercontinental hotel with me for a few minutes.

“So, what’s your goal for Kona?” I asked.

“I would love to stand on the stage,” she said. “Top 10 would be amazing.”

“You just forced one of the best Ironman athletes in the world to pretty much leave a lung on the side of the run course to beat you,” I said. “You better set your sites a lot higher than top 10.”

Later that year, Steffen finished second.

It turns out I’m not the first person who’s had a similar message for the 33-year-old. After meeting Australian pro David Dellow at the post-race party in Clearwater after the Ironman World Championship 70.3, Steffen ended up spending some time with him in Australia. He went to Port Macquarie to support her for that first pro Ironman race.

“After the race I was so happy,” Steffen remembers. “Chrissie won and Rebekah Keat came second and I was third. I was over the moon, I was so happy.

“You can do way more,” Dellow said. “You should be a pro.”

“I am a pro,” Steffen said.

“Maybe you have the license, but you don’t have the lifestyle,” was his come back. “There’s so much you can do. You’re still working and you can improve so many things. Why don’t you stay here in Australia and I can teach you.”

Steffen called back to Switzerland and quit her job – she had been working for the government as an engineer. A month later she returned to pack up her things and head back to Australia, explaining to her family that she was in love, and to everyone else that it was time to take a chance and pursue the athletic career she’d always dreamed of.

“This is my chance,” she told them. “It’s too late in a couple of years. I will be too old.”

Dellow became both her partner and coach initially. She approached Sutton about coaching her, but he turned her down – not once but three times. Then, in January 2010, he agreed to take her on. (Sutton now coaches Dellow, too – he joined Team TBB last year.)

“I started training with him and after one week I was so tired and emotional I was just crying all day,” she remembers. “I trained hard as a swimmer. I was on the Swiss national swim team for 10 years and I worked so hard as a cyclist (after competing successfully as an age group triathlete Steffen raced for a pro cycling team for two years), but it was completely different with Brett. I thought I was ready, but I wasn’t. Every day was so big. It was all day training and moving. It took me another week and then I started to improve and realized that this was for me. I reckon Brett and I fit perfectly together.”

You think? A month after she started working with Sutton she won Ironman 70.3 Geelong. Later that year she would lead for so much of the day in Frankfurt, and then force Mirinda Carfrae to run a course record marathon in Kona to beat her there.

It shouldn’t have been a surprise that she would be in demand in Kona last October, but the ever-modest Steffen was.

“It was easy in 2010 (handling the pre-race obligations and commitments in Kona), to be honest. It was crazy last year. The pressure was all right, but all the obligations were too much. In 2010 I could walk through Kona and no one would care. I couldn’t do that in 2011.”

My guess is that it’ll be even harder in 2012. With Wellington’s hiatus, Steffen’s name suddenly becomes one to be mentioned as a potential Kona champ.

Like so many of those same contenders, Steffen would be a fantastic spokeswoman for our sport. We’ve been blessed with some pretty amazing Ironman world champions over the years – Steffen would easily fall into those shoes.

(Reach Kevin Mackinnon at kevin.mackinnon@ironma…)

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

HPA and Mid-Pacific play for the girls Division II state soccer crown 5 p.m. Saturday on Oahu.

No. 3 seed HPA secured the spot in the final by beating No. 2 seed Kauai, 3-1, on Friday.

Nanea Tavares, Bri Vallente and Vallente scored for HPA.

In Division I, No. 1 seed Kamehameha Schools Kapalama and Iolani will square off for the title.

In the Division I consolation bracket, Kealakehe and Baldwin will place to 5th and 6th place.

Also, Konawaena faces Kapolei for 7th place.

In the Division II consolation bracket, Kamehameha Schools Hawaii and Honokaa face off for 7th and 8th place.

Also Friday, Makua Lani was dumped out of the competition by Kalaheo, 2-0.

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

Five players scored as HPA trounced Makua Lani on the way to the semi-finals in the girls Division II state soccer tournament on Oahu.

Scoring for HPA were: Nanea Tavares (26); Jessica Benioni (35) Bri Vallente (55); Katie Case (61); and Meimei Nakahara (75).

No. 3 seed HPA takes on No. 2 seed Kauai in the semi-final match Friday.

The other semi matches up No. 1 seed Mid-Pacific and Kapaa, which knocked out No. 4 seed Waipahu.

Over in Division I, No. 4 seed Kealakehe bowed out 2-0 to Mililani in Thursday’s match.

On Friday, Kealakehe plays Kamehameha Schools Maui for the chance at 5th place.

Konawaena and Kapolei will fight for 7th and 8th place.

In the Division II consolation bracket, Makua Lani will take on Kalaheo for the right to battle for 5th place.

Also in the Division II consolation bracket, Kamehameha Schools Hawaii and Honokaa will duke it out for 7th and 8th place.

— Find out more:
www.sportshigh.com

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

Makua Lani was the sole winner in girls state soccer action Wednesday, as three other teams were dumped into the consolation bracket.

In Division II, Makua Lani topped Leilehua by a score of 4-3 in a dramatic match that went to penalty kicks.

Makua Lani now faces No. 3 seed HPA in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

Also in Division II, Kamehameha Schools Hawaii dropped a heartbreaker 1-0 in overtime to Radford and Honokaa lost 4-3 to Kalaheo.

In Division I, Konawaena was up-ended in double overtime 2-1 by Pearl City.

No. 4 seed Kealakehe begins tournament play Thursday against Mililani.

— Find out more:
www.sportshigh.com

Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Pahoa defeats Hilo in BIIF Boys Basketball Tuesday (Jan 31) with a final score of 72-69.

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

Two girls soccer teams are seeded in this week’s Hawaii High School Athletic Association girls state soccer tournament

In Division I, Kealakehe earned the No. 4 seed; in Division II, HPA is seeded No. 3.

The tournament runs Wednesday, Feb. 1 through Saturday, Feb. 4 at the Waipio Peninsula Soccer Complex on Oahu

Kealakehe (14-0) opens play in the second round at 3 p.m. Thursday against the Kapolei-Mililani winner.

HPA kicks off 1 p.m. Thursday against the Leilehua-Makua Lani winner.

Also reaching the state tournament are Konawaena, Kamehameha Schools Hawaii and Honokaa.

— Find out more:
www.sportshigh.com

Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

The Kealakehe Waveriders girls kept their perfect 14-0 season with a win against cross-town rival Konawaena in a cross-island championship game in Keaau Saturday (Jan 28). Despite downpours of rain at times both teams fought hard with Waverider Rachael Bianchi scoring the lone goal off a penalty kick in the first half.

Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Hawaii Prep defeated Kamehameha-Hawaii in a 2-0 battle at Keaau High School Stadium Saturday (Jan 28) to win the BIIF Division II Girls Soccer Championship. Gabbie Ewing and Lauren Pries scored the Ka Makani goals.

Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

Kamehameha-Hawaii defeats Honokaa 1–0 in a hard fought BIIF Division II Girls Soccer semifinal match Thursday (Jan 26).

Photography by Baron Sekiya | Hawaii 24/7

The Kamehameha-Hawaii Warriors defeated their crosstown rivals the Hilo Vikings 82–58 in BIIF boys basketball Wednesday night (Jan 25).

Vince Manuwai gives instructions for the next receiving drill. (Photo by Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7)

Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7 Editor

More than 180 young athletes turned out Tuesday afternoon at Kealaheke High School football field to get some tips from the pros.

A handful of current and former NFL players conducted a hands-on clinic to teach football skills and techniques to Big Island boys and girls. Each participant also received an NFL Pro Bowl T-shirt that was autographed by the players and an NFL Pro Bowl sling backpack.

The second clinic is 3–5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 25 at Keaau High School. The pro players and cheerleaders also are visiting island schools to deliver inspirational messages and talk about positive life choices.

“It’s awesome. It really shows how the NFL gives back to communities,” said county Parks and Recreation director Bob Fitzgerald. “It’s not just about the game, but the positive life models the players bring. The message is to get all our kids out for 60 minutes of recreational activity every day. That’s something we can totally support.”

Vince Manuwai signs his name one more time. (Photo by Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7)

Honolulu native Vince Manuwai, who played offensive line with the Jacksonville Jaguars, was leading a group of youngsters through some receiving drills after signing each student athlete’s jersey.

“It’s cool every year we get to do this,” he said. “To come to the outer islands is a great opportunity for the kids to get to see the players and interact with us.”

Manuwai said the clinics and school visits are not all about football.

“It’s more that they get to see the athletes and meet them,” he said. “It’s not about looking for talent or who’s going to be a top athlete. I’m a lineman and I’m out here teaching receiving!”

Field goal practice with Fred McCrary. (Photo by Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7)

Fred McCrary, Seattle Seahawks veteran fullback, was leading a raucous group in the art of catching with your hands, not your body.

“These kids are awesome. You tell them to catch only using their hands and they are on it,” he said. “One of the teams I coach back home, you tell them to use their hands and they’re all trying to do one-hand catches. If you can’t catch with two hands, how you gonna catch with one hand?”

McCrary moved his group over to practice field goals and the cheering got even more raucous. A great chorus of ‘Oooooh’ followed the first 3-pointer.

A slim blonde girl jumped into a round of high-fives after being the first to get enough lift on the ball to carry it over the cross bar.

Nick Sorensen, safety with the Cleveland Browns, split his group into two and conducted foot work drills. The losing team had to do 25 push ups, much to the delight of the winners, who helpfully counted out each push up.

Push ups with Nick Sorensen. (Photo by Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7)

Marcel Reece, fullback with the Oakland Raiders, was also teaching foot work and speed drills to a younger group of athletes.

“Don’t worry about being fast right now, just worry about doing it right,” he yelled. “That’s it. You got it. Great job.”

He was rewarded with a huge grin from a sweaty little guy whose T-shirt was longer than his shorts.

Foot work drills with Marcel Reece. (Photo by Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7)

Mayor Billy Kenoi dropped in to observe the action and was coaxed into running a few drills.

“Man, it’s been a long time,” Kenoi said. “But that felt so good.”

Kenoi was an lineman on his Waiakea High School football team, but admitted he’s getting a little old to be tossing around the pigskin with a bunch of NFL players.

The NFL Pro Bowl Youth Clinics program, now in its 10th year, is focused on motivating our youth to realize their dreams and to maximize their potential.

— Find out more:

www.nfl.com/probowl/st…

Learning the moves for a new cheer with NFL cheerleaders. (Photo by Karin Stanton | Hawaii 24/7)

MEDIA RELEASE

If a $10,000 koa tree crashed in the woods and nobody heard it, would it still be worth $10,000?

The Fuel Dock Fishing Series wants you to hear this $10,000 crash clearly: Hawaii Fuel Network and the Fuel Dock Series are giving away a guaranteed prize of $10,000.00 in free fuel in a new string of tournaments starting Jan. 28-29 and you could win.

Anyone can win. Who couldn’t use $10,000 in free fuel?

KAPA Radio will be running a number of “live liners” over the next five weeks, with DJ’s yakking about this unique opportunity, the winners of each tournament and how to get in on it. The tournaments are open to everyone, and they are “jungle rules” so basically the only thing you need is a boat, some rods and reels and some folks to reel in the fish.

The first two tournaments will each award $1,000 in free fuel to the team catching the single largest fish, 100 pounds or better – of any species. No sharks, no rays, no mammals. You just need to catch the fish from a boat and bring the fish to the scale by boat.

Currently entry forms are available at all Big Island HFN and Minit Stop stores across the Big Island. Sign ups are held at Suite C at the Fuel Dock at Honokohau, where information packs are available.

On line links can be found at the official Fuel Dock Fishing Series web site at www.konatournaments.co…, as well as www.kaparadio.com and www.alohainsurance.com

There will be a cash purse awarded from the $350 per team entry fees collected as well as the $1000 in free fuel per tournament in the Series. After six events, a Tournament of Champions will be held where the Champ will win $3,000 in free fuel, cash and other prizes.

The Fuel Dock Fishing Series is produced by Tropidilla Productions, LLC, the same folks who bring you the $1 Million Dollar Hawaii Marlin Tournament Series.

Volcano 50k Ultramarathon / Relay
January 21, 2012
Volcano, Hawaii
6:00 am

Hilo to Volcano Relay team Results

Results courtesy of Wayne ‘Big Dog’ Joseph – waynejoseph.wordpress….

David Eger getting ready to tee off on Sunday. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Brad Ballesteros)

MEDIA RELEASE

* Jan. 20-22 at Kaupulehu, Hualalai Golf Course
Charles Schwab Cup points: 307
Purse: $1,800,000
Par/Yards: 36-36—72/7,107

Weather: Sunny with highs in the low-80s and winds from the WSW in the afternoon at 10-15 mph with gusts to 25 mph.

Dan Forsman went to the top of Mauna Kea, one of the world’s highest volcanoes, early in the week. He went a bit higher on Sunday afternoon at Hualalai, winning the season-opening event on the 2012 Champions Tour. Forsman played steady golf throughout the day and won the tournament when he managed to get up and down from greenside bunkers twice on the back nine.

At the par-5 14th hole, Forsman hit a spectacular third shot from the sand to within a foot for birdie. Forsman’s key birdie moved his margin back to three strokes after Jay Don Blake had birdied the par-4 15th hole just moments earlier.

Forsman then saved par from the back greenside bunker at No. 16 to maintain a two-stroke cushion over Blake who would go on to sink a 25-foot birdie at the final hole to post 13-under. Forsman then made two pars on the last two holes for the victory.

Final Leaderboard: 1) Dan Forsman/201 (-15); 2) Jay Don Blake/203 (-13); T3) Michael Allen & John Cook/204 (-12); T5) Gary Hallberg & Jeff Sluman/205 (-11)

Dan Forsman won his third career title on the Champions Tour and first since the 2010 Regions Charity Classic, ending a victory drought of 36 starts or one year, eight months and six days. His best finish in two previous appearances at this event was a T16 last year. Forsman only had one top-10 finish last year on the Champions Tour, a T4 at the Montreal Championship.

Dan Forsman earned 307 Charles Schwab Cup points and his first-place check for $307,000 was his largest on the Champions Tour. He also earned a return trip to the Mitsubishi Electric Championship for the next two years.

Dan Forsman’s winning total of 15-under 201 was the highest to claim the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai since 2000 when the late George Archer triumphed by two strokes with a 9-under 207 total.

Dan Forsman’s lowest 54-hole scores on the Champions Tour:
Event Score Eventual Finish
2010 Regions Charity Classic 196 (-20) Won
2011 Montreal Championship 200 (-16) T4
2012 Mitsubishi Electric Championship 201 (-15) Won

Residents of Utah went 1-2 this week at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai as Dan Forsman (Provo) and Jay Don Blake (St. George) did The Beehive State proud. For Blake is was his third time in the last six events finishing either first or second.

A winner of the Songdo IBD Championship and the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship late last year, Blake almost duplicated defending champion John Cook’s feat from a year ago of winning the last event and the first official event of the following season.

Mark Calcavecchia’s closing 66 Sunday vaulted him up into a T7 this week at Hualalai, his seventh straight top-10 finish on the Champions Tour dating back to his victory last fall at the Boeing Classic near Seattle. He’s now been par/better in his last 14 rounds dating back to the 2010 campaign.

For the second straight year, the defending champion at Hualalai finished T3 the next year. John Cook made a spirited run at winning a second consecutive title, carding a 68 that included 31 on the back nine. In 2011, Tom Watson was T3 at this event and it proved to be the best effort by a defending champion last year.

Tom Watson was T7 this year at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship, his ninth career top-10 at this event and third straight. Watson has the most top-10 finishes by a player in tournament history. His check for $60,000 this week increased his career earnings at this event to $1,078,083. Hale Irwin is still the tournament’s all-time leading money-winner with $1,132,937 while Dana Quigley is still second with $1,079,446.

Loren Roberts carded a 3-over 75 Sunday, ending his run of consecutive sub-par scores at Hualalai at 20 consecutive.

For the 12th consecutive year, the winner of this event has carded three rounds in the 60s and for the sixth time in the last seven years, the tournament winner has come from the final pairing. The lone exception during this stretch was John Cook last year (third-to-last grouping).

Breezy conditions produced a field stroke average of 72.000 on Sunday compared to 69.512 on Saturday and 69.610 on Friday. Overall, the cumulative stroke average of this year’s event was 70.374 compared to 68.746 last year.

The hardest hole at Hualalai this year was the par-3 5th hole, yielding just five birdies during the week. The stroke average at No. 5 this year was 3.634 vs. 3.246 last year when it played as the most difficult for the field.

Statistically Speaking: Bob Gilder and Bernhard Langer paced the field in Driving Accuracy this week (37/42 fairways, 88.10%) … David Eger and Dan Forsman hit the most Greens In Regulation (44/54, 81.48%) … John Cook and David Frost led the field in Putts Per Round, averaged only 26 per day … John Cook, Michael Allen, Jeff Sluman and Mark Calcavecchia all had 18 birdies this week, the most in the field … Olin Browne was the only player to make three eagles … Dan Forsman had the fewest birdies over 54 holes with just two.

Quote Of The Day

“I was really humbled to think I could be on top of this field of guys I’ve admired and competed against all my professional life. The chance to be on top of a distinguished group of players like this is something I’ll always cherish. You’ve got to be blessed to have opportunities like this and I feel like I am. I really do.” — Dan Forsman after winning the season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai

— Find out more:

www.pgatour.com/tourna…

(Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Brad Ballesteros)

Tom Lehman, teeing off on hole #1 on day 3. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Brad Ballesteros)

Brad Faxon teeing off at 11:35 today on the 1st hole, day 3. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Brad Ballesteros)

Michael Allen and Jay Haas. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Brad Ballesteros)

John Cook on day 3. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Brad Ballesteros)

Dan Forsman, 2012 champion, on day 3. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Brad Ballesteros)

Denis Watson watching his ball on the 1st hole, day 3. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Brad Ballesteros)

Tom Watson, day 3. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Brad Ballesteros)

Tom Lehman on the 1st hole, day 3. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Brad Ballesteros)

Loren Roberts, 1st hole, day 3. (Photo special to Hawaii 24/7 by Brad Ballesteros)