We have seen the bumper stickers and caps, adorned with the words “Pahoa Strong,” a public expression of the resolute grit the area assumed after lava outbreaks rocked their world in lower Puna.
The saying may be taking on additional meaning in the near future if the connection between sport of boxing and the Sure Foundation Puna Church continues on its present path, and there is ample indication all parties are headed in the same direction.
“This is pretty exciting,” officer DuWayne Waipa said at last week’s amateur boxing card at the facility. “It’s all new to me, but it looks like fun, and it’s obvious people are interested.”
It was Waipa’s first look at the event he was recently chosen to oversee by his boss, Hilo police captain John Briski, a supporter of the resurgence of Police Athletic League. If you are a newcomer to PAL, it is a nationwide organization which has its mission statement clearly spelled out on its website:
“The National Association of Police Athletic/Activities League (National PAL) and its chapters work nationwide promoting the prevention of juvenile crime and violence by building relationships among kids, cops and community through positive engagement.”
The group has been active on the Big Island, but is coming together again with renewed energy around amateur boxing.
“In years past,” Briski said, “(PAL) has focused more on basketball, but it’s been some time since that was going strong. We were given the opportunity for involvement and we are glad to be a part of it.”
The invitation was extended by Lorin Carmichael, senior pastor at the church, and also the police chaplin. The church isn’t just sticking its toe in the water to see if there’s interest, it has one of the few official, standardized boxing rings on the island.
“They are very well organized and they are very well respected in the community,” Briski said. “I don’t know if there is more than one or two other official regulation rings on the entire island.
“The big thing,” he said, “was that we had some great interaction with the public, officer Waipa said the crowd was enthusiastic and supportive.”
And big in numbers. There were at least 400 people crowded into the activities area almost an hour before the first bout.
Briski said he would hope to see three or more of the boxing cards a year.
“One a month might be too much for us,” he said, “because of our limited resources, but we do intend to help them grow the event.”
Boxing night in Pahoa has a nice ring, one we might be hearing more regularly.
Kicking out child abuse
Last weekend, Walter Victor Park was overflowing with runs and hits and maybe a few errors here and there for three days from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day.
But there was no baseball being played.
It was the fourth annual Kickball Tournament, part of an island-wide effort to raise awareness and funds in the fight against child abuse in April, which is National Child Abuse Prevention month
“Wow, it was really fun and the involvement was great,” said Melissa Anglese. “Hilo is a big part of what we do and we have a bunch of folks to thank for the effort, for the cause.
The group raised about $5,000 for the cause, roughly the same as last year, but they are putting the call out for more sponsor involvement for next year. It all starts with group-based parent education and a fatherhood program to address the concerns.
Winners of the 14-team, double elimination tournament were, in order, Team Wow from Oahu, with Rickickulous and Nacis Construction finishing second and third respectively, the same spot they finished in the Oahu tournament.
Oh, and that Santa Claus figure who was giving away Christmas in April presents? That was the legendary Frank Degele of baseball, softball, and bowling coach fame at Pahoa High School.
For further information or to sign up as a sponsor for next year, go to the website, hawaiiparents.org.
Scholarship run plans
Reed’s Bay Park is busy with runners most of the year, and that’s a good thing. Friday’s free 5K Emily’s Run at 5 p.m. starts at Coconut Island. Those who donate will benefit the American Cancer Society.
But next month — May 19 — brings another run for another good cause, also at Reed’s Bay Park where Big Island Road Runners will hold their annual Scholarship 5K, starting at 7:30 a.m.
If you are a member of BIRR, it’s just a $5 fee, those non-members will pay $10 in a cause that ignites college scholarship money for a deserving runner headed to school in the fall.
Spring championships
The Big Island had some young players find their place recently in the United State Tennis Association Spring Junior Championships on Oahu.
Climbing the ladder is what it’s all about and the Big Islanders who placed were Damon Nagata, 4th (Boys’ 12-and-under), Jada Igawa, 6th (Girls’ 12), in Girls’ 16, Chloe Teramoto was 3rd, Maika Nucci, 4th and in Girls’ 18-and-under, Keilyn Kunimoto placed 2nd, Maile Brilhante was 3rd.
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