Youth boxing 2.0 is about to be unveiled on the eastside of the Big Island when Hawaii Island Police Activities League (HI-PAL) stages an amateur boxing card at the Sure Foundation Puna Church at 6 p.m. April 13.
It has been a while — too long for boxing enthusiasts — since HI-PAL was involved in organizing these events, but it got back in the game last month in Kona and is hopeful of initiating a regular series of boxing cards on this side of the island.
“We had a great relationship with HI-PAL back in the ’90s,” said Lorin Carmichael, senior pastor at the church, “but their involvement tailed off, so it is really good to know they want the involvement again.
“It has probably been 20-25 years, but it is such a positive event for participants, young people in general, and it creates a great connection between police officers and the community. It makes a big difference when you put a face to the people, and that goes both ways.”
The HI-PAL involvement this time is headed up by community police officer DuWayne Waipa, a self-described amateur boxing rookie.
“I’m all new to this,” Waipa said, “but I’m getting a lot of help from people who actually know what they’re doing. I’m going to be, pretty much an observer at this one, and then after this I’ll take a bigger role.
“People can start blaming me if something goes wrong on the next one after this,” he said, laughing at the thought. “Seriously though, the kids out here? They really need something and this could give them some motivation, some direction. If we get this off the ground we can start making some progress in the community.”
Carmichael was involved for two years with HI-PAL on the westside when he served as police Chaplin and became a big booster of the event. HI-PAL sponsors the event, meaning it takes care of financial concerns such as sanction fees, trophies and all the rest. That makes it easier for organizers, but it’s really all about the connection.
“What happens,” Carmichael said, “is that it gives us a common language between these young people, their coaches and parents, and the police. (The police) exposure to our community is much needed.”
The Yeshua Boxing Club is the co-host of the event at the church, located at 16-1592 Pohaku Circle.
There will be no admission charge for this event. For further information, call Carmichael at 938-5486
Trolling season
We speak here of the real trollers, the true trollers, the trollers who have always been around, not the internet nerds.
Hilo Trollers, the local fishing club that has been attracting increased interest according to president C.J. Lewis, inaugurates its 2019 season April 7, when anglers head out from the Hilo boat ramp at 5:30 am.
“There’s been a lot to do in terms of organization over the offseason,” Lewis said, “and part of that is trying something new. We’ve talked about it before, agreed it would be a good idea, but now we’re actually trying it.”
The new venture is a pretourney greeting for newcomers and those who want to know a little more before committing. The meeting will be held at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 4, at 5:30 pm.
“We’re getting a lot of interest, we have some new members already, others who are interested,” Lewis said, “and this is a way to connect with them ahead of time, go over things, answer any questions they have, things like that.”
The annual cost to join Hilo Trollers is $50, far below the fees at any other club on the island or in the state.
“We’re here to have fun and enjoy each other’s company,” Lewis said, “that’s the goal.”
Spoken like a champion, which Lewis is, after winning the last two seasonal competitions. But it has been pointed out to him more than a few times, that no one has won three in a row.
“It’s never happened,” he said, “but I don’t know. My biggest concern is putting on a good show and growing the club a little.”
Lewis said the club had 26 boats competing last year and he thinks there could be more this season.
Hard Hill to Climb?
Hard core cyclists understand the truest test of form and endurance is found in uphill challenges. One of the big ones makes its debut April 6 at the Lako Street climb in Kona when the Big Island Hill Climb takes place, sponsored by Big Island Hill Climb Racing.
As of Thursday, race director Caleb Barville said there had been no Hilo side entries, “but there’s still time, we’d like to see some people come over.”
This is not an event that will attract thousands or even hundreds. Dozens, maybe.
As of midweek, there were 17 entries, at $20 for club members and $30 for non members. The event raises money for the Go Wild Scholarships for high school seniors, which had gathered $450 as of this week.
The event is a beast. It is a 1,300-meter long (roughly .8 of a mile) climb that will have competitors battle an average gradient of 13 percent and maximum gradient of 18 percent in a bid to record the fastest time and take home the title of Big Island Hill Climb Racing KOM Champion.
West and eastside cyclists often stay close to their own side of the island but this inaugural event seeks competitors from all points on the island, and it might be a spark to organize a similar competition closer to Hilo.
“It won’t be a big group,” said Barville, “but it’s a start. If we can get 25-30, that’s probably a good start for us.”
Send information on east side individuals and teams to barttribuneherald@gmail.com