ASD Staff

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Doing chores after a wonderful weekend in Hilo for Merrie Monarch Festival...

Annie spratt 5 Tf CI4nj6 B4 unsplash

<title>Hawaiʻi Scene on Social: Check out this kāne's chore-ography</title>

sis.on.a.mish's husband's moves had us wondering if he actually competed in Merrie Monarch, or if they just watched from home.

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social: Check out this kāne's chore-ography

Doing chores after a wonderful weekend in Hilo for Merrie Monarch Festival... 

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros Headshot

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros

Entertainment

Aloha Spirit

In just two days, surfing pets and their owners will compete paws on the nose in The Raising Cane’s Going to the Dogs SurFur ComPETition (GTDSC) at 

Catch the 2025 one-day themed event “Legends of the Pawty Wave,” featuring surfing action from current year competitors and alumni. It begins with a blessing at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 21, at Kūhiō Beach in Waikīkī. Surfing will commence at 8:30 a.m. at Baby Queens surf break. 

This year, 30 animals (mostly dogs and one cat) will compete in two divisions – tandem with their owners and solo for “high-caliber” surf dog athletes – throughout the day, according to volunteer organizer Kelli Hergert. 

Official GTDSC heat assignments can be found, 

The family and pet friendly event is expected to draw hundreds of beachgoers at a time, she said. 

Members of the dog surfing community will serve as judges and about 30 volunteers are dedicated to just this portion of Duke's OceanFest, which runs from Aug. 16 to 24.

“We've grown every year since we started in 2015,” Hergert told ASD. “We started off with three dogs and a pig, and we’ve now had cats and ducks surf.”

She said this year, there are three brand new tandem teams that she vetted, but the rest are “returning alumni.”

“We strive to have a safe and fun competition with animals that actually want to be out there on the surfboard. ... We’re not just doing it for the photo ops or the notoriety. Some of these human and dog combos are amazing to watch because they love being with each other so much and surfing is just an activity that they do.

“For a few of them, it looks like they were born to surf. ... That’s what I try to focus on, that everybody out there is having a really good time, that they look happy and want to be out there.”  

When asked about where to park, Hergert said there is nearby street parking, as well as at the Honolulu Zoo, Tom Maffat Waikīkī Shell, and Waikīkī Shopping Plaza and Ross garages.

Raising Cane’s Restaurants has officially sponsored GTDSC since 2022, though its been involved since 2019, she noted. This year, Cane’s selected social media influencers and actress and comedian Amy Hill, 

make appearances and help with judging during the day.

“Iʻm really grateful to be a part of Duke's OceanFest,” Hergert said. "And then, to be able to create that kind of magic at the beach and put on a world-class event. I want people to think ʻWow, this was well organized and well thought out, that is was something special.'”

Hergert is a dog mom to Alfie, a 40-pound, 14 year-old poi dog, terrier-mix who enjoys paddle boarding on flat surfaces.

“Jim Fulton was the organizer of OceanFest in 2001, and so in 2015, Jim came to me and said, ʻHey, you own a dog, you know how to surf, do you want to help me with a dog surfing competition?ʻ I said, ʻWell, I donʻt surf with my dog.ʻ And heʻs like, ʻIt doesn't matter. Can you help me with it? I need a pet lover and a surfer.ʻ And Iʻm like, ʻOK!” And so, thatʻs how this all started."

ODKF Support Inc., doing business as Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest, is a nonprofit organization whose mission aligns with the 

, which is “to provide resources for scholarships and grants for Hawaiʻi athletes,” its website notes.

“What I love is the energy at the beach. I can’t say it enough. It’s an amazing event, and just being a part of the mission of celebrating Duke’s life and legacy, perpetuating his Aloha Spirit,” Hergert said. “But also, you cannot be angry when you’re watching dogs and you can’t be unhappy when you see people having fun with their pets, friends and family. You walk away from it with a huge smile.”

For more information about the festival, visit 

The Raising Cane’s Going to the Dogs SurFur ComPETition, visit 

. Those interested in becoming a sponsor or volunteer may email Hergert at surfdogshawaii@gmail.com.

For the latest news of Hawai‘i, sign up 

Dukes Oceanfest Dog Surfing

<title>Watch animals 'born to surf' in Waikīkī this week</title>

Volunteer organizer Kelli Hergert shares the history behind and what to expect this year at The Raising Cane’s Going to the Dogs SurFur ComPETition at Duke Kahanamoku OceanFest this Thursday, Aug. 21, at Kūhiō Beach. Spectators can enjoy all-day surf action by dogs, a cat and their humans.

Watch animals 'born to surf' in Waikīkī

Government & Politics

More than 150 dignitaries, military personnel and community members welcomed four 11-year-old children from Holy Family Home, an orphanage in Osaka, Japan, to Hawaiʻi with cheers, lei and aloha at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport on Monday.

As part of a 76-year cultural exchange between the orphanage and the 27th Infantry Regiment “Wolfhounds,” the children – Umi, Kanami, Ryota, and Ryuki – will stay with military host families for two weeks, while enjoying Oʻahu’s culture and attractions with planned visits to the Waikīkī Aquarium, Kualoa Ranch, the Outrigger Canoe Club and more.

The relationship between the Wolfhounds and Holy Family Home began in 1949 under the leadership of Master Sgt. Hugh O’Reilly, who secured funds and materials to build a new facility for the orphanage where they were stationed after World War II. Following O’Reilly’s death in 2006, Hawaiʻi-based nonprofit Peace Bridge formed “to carry on and expand this tradition of compassion and friendship between the Holy Family Home and the Hawaiʻi community, fostering one of the longest-running military-civilian partnerships in U.S. Army history,” according to the organization.

“It was Christmas 1949. After witnessing the conditions of the orphanage, the soldiers began to pass around an Army helmet for donations to improve the living conditions. The men raised $143 and donated it to the orphanage on New Year’s morning,” it was said during the opening remarks of Monday’s ceremony.

The soldiers of the regiment spent their spare time repairing the facility. “In 1957, the Wolfhounds invited two children to visit their soldiers and familiy stationed in Hawai’i. Thus began the longstanding tradition we’re witnessing today.”

Hugh O'Reilly Jr. was present at the festivities and has helped continue his father's legacy.

Lt. Col. “Teddy” Borawksi, 1st Battalion Commander said, “We’re honored to host our four special guests Umi, Kanami, Ryota, and Ryuki, for the next two weeks and we look forward to sharing our lives, our traditions in this beautiful island that we call home.

“As Wolfhounds, we are known for being ferocious in battle and compassionate in peace. The children of the Holy Family Home embody the spirit of compassion and we are privileged to be your gentle wolfhounds. It is hard to put into words how much it means to us to continue this tradition. One born from the hearts of Wolfhounds long before us. Our commitment to this bond is just as strong today as it was decades ago. And we will not allow this cherished connection to fade.”

Gov. Josh Green presented a proclamation to Borawski, marking Aug. 18, 2025, as "Wolfhounds Day." 

, he made a stop at Holy Family Home to meet with the children and staff, he said.

“It was just so loving, and there was so much care,” Green recalled from that visit.

“You are honorary citizens today. We are grateful that you will be able to share our culture, and then be able to go back and share your experiences. … Our young guests, we hope this will be an amazing trip with long lasting memories and new friendships. … Let’s hope for another 76 years of love and compassion.

On behalf of Mayor Rick Blangiardi, City and County of Honolulu Chief of Staff Andy Sugg,

echoed the governor’s sentiments, while thanking the host families, among others, and presented a proclamation from the city. 

“The turnout is unbelievable,” he said of Monday’s event. “I didn’t know what to expect, but this is really incredible. ... So, thank you all for your dedication and for your commitment and for thinking of the children. There’s a lot going on in the world and we often forget that this is the future and we’ve got to really nourish and take care of all of our kids."

President of Peace Bridge Rika Hirata shared more history, describing the organization’s role “as a bridge between the Wolfhounds, Holy Family Home and the local community.”

The nonprofit’s mission is “to sustain and grow upon this tradition of aloha,” she continued. Its website states the aim is to continue “legacy of peace and love for the children of the Holy Family Home.”

“On behalf of Peace Bridge, I thank all of you for your support and ask for your continued support in the future,” she said.

Peace Bridge is volunteer-run and has supported more than 150 children without families. Learn more about the local organization, 

Japanese orphans 2025

<title>Turnout for Osaka orphans at HNL ‘unbelievable,’ says gov’t official</title>

Four 11-year-old children from Holy Family Home in Osaka, Japan, landed at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport Monday met with cheering, lei giving and aloha, from dignitaries, the U.S. Army “Wolfhounds,” and local nonprofit Peace Bridge and its community supporters. These orphans will stay in Hawai’i for two weeks with military host families, while enjoying  Oʻahu’s culture and attractions, promoting international peace and partnership.

Turnout for Osaka orphans at HNL ‘unbelievable,’ says gov’t official

Square Mike Brestovansky Headshot RGZ3736 Large

Michael Brestovansky

As telescope lease agreements on Mauna Kea near their expiration dates, the process for renewing them remains up in the air.

Doug Simons, Director of the University of Hawai‘i's Institute for Astronomy, advised the state Mauna Kea Stewardship and Oversight Authority last Thursday that the window for observatories on the mountain to negotiate their leases of state land is rapidly closing.

All observatories on Mauna Kea are legally bound to decommission their facilities and fully restore their sites to natural conditions by the end of 2033 if they are not able to negotiate further land use with the state. Because of this, Simons said that the telescopes could be very close to the end of their operational lives: decommissioning would likely need to begin by 2028 in order to be completed by the deadline.

In 2020, Simons said he predicted that those observatories that intend to remain operational beyond 2033 must negotiate their leases with the state by the first half of the 2020s — “which is right now, more or less.”

Despite this, those negotiations have not yet been completed, Simons said. Between the protests against the Thirty Meter Telescope in 2015 and 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the MKSOA taking over management of the mountain from UH in 2028, the process has been paused and restarted multiple times over the years.

But without an understanding of how many telescopes will continue to operate beyond 2033, it is difficult for any observatory to estimate the cost of operating on Mauna Kea. Simons said all observatories in the Mauna Kea Science Reserve contribute millions of dollars each year to various shared infrastructure costs, so each telescope that doesn’t have a lease renewed will increase costs for the rest.

“So that really gets you back to the basic question … how much is it going to cost?” Simons said. “And if we don’t know the answer to how much a lease is going to cost, the process is basically stalled.”

Even if the MKSOA can get through the negotiation process quickly, Simons said any new leases will almost certainly be challenged in contested cases and litigation, which will eat up even more time.

Further complicating affairs is the myriad of international funding agencies involved in the various observatories, all of which would need to agree to lease terms, which Simons said is a particularly complex and time-consuming part of the process.

And, of course, all of this is taking place as major cuts are planned for American science funding, with President Donald Trump’s administration 

 in June enormous slashes to NASA and National Science Foundation budgets.

MKSOA board members remained optimistic that they can expedite the lease negotiating process relatively quickly: “It’s not like we’re sitting at the table yet, but the more we prepare ourselves to be at that table, the quicker it will go,” said member Neil Hannahs.

But the MKSOA and its executive director John De Fries already have a lot on their plate as they race toward 2028, when the Authority will assume full control of the mountain from UH. A new management plan for the mountain is being developed, and is not expected to be completed until mid-2026.

At the same time, MKSOA is developing its strategic 

 — a short, three-page document outlining the Authority’s guiding principles regarding Mauna Kea that would impact any proposed lease terms. Public 

 will be held around Hawai‘i Island through September to solicit feedback on the draft document.

Doug Simons BLUE small 16x9

<title>Clock ticking for Mauna Kea leases</title>

Negotiations for renewing Mauna Kea observatory leases need to start soon, warns IFA director

Clock ticking for Mauna Kea leases

Stephanie Salmons Headshot

Stephanie Salmons

Business & Tourism

 the Hawaiian Airlines presents the 31st Annual Made in Hawai‘i Festival.

The shopping extravaganza began Friday, Aug. 15, and ran through the weekend, featuring more than 700 vendor booths. It drew approximately 70,000 attendees across the three days, a festival spokesperson told Aloha State Daily in an email on Monday. That's similar to 2024 attendance.

 drew more than 70,000 attendees and generated approximately $10 million in revenues last year.

This year's revenue tally, however, won't be known for another few weeks, the spokesperson noted.

MIHF is produced by the Hawai‘i Food Industry Association. Proceeds from the festival support HFIA's mission "to build a strong, sustainable and resilient food industry in Hawai‘i."

"We are truly grateful for the overwhelming support of the vendors and participants of the Made in Hawai‘i Festival this year," the spokesperson told ASD. "It is incredible to see the enormous outpouring of support for Hawai‘i's local businesses and makers. Every year is a little different and we can never truly predict which days and times will be busiest. Last year, Saturday was the most popular day for ticket sales and this year it flipped over to Friday due to the state holiday and perhaps the exclusive drops and hot commodities being released by vendors."

[{"type":"text","text":"So what does 'Made in Hawai‘i' mean in the context of the festival?"}]

The spokesperson says that all products sold at MIHF must be "51% value added in Hawai‘i."

"This 51% can come from any combination of the value of raw materials, design, labor and manufacturing," they explained. "The valuation is submitted by the vendors themselves and checked by our team. The majority of the products exceed the 51% amount. It is possible that some products that are manufactured outside the state, or that have components manufactured outside the state, meet the criteria. We strive to have vendors and products that not only meet the criteria but exceed it and are truly embodying the spirit of Made in Hawaiʻi."

Vendors must also be based in the Islands to participate and there's a "comprehensive valuation process" they must complete, the spokesperson further noted.

We do our best to ensure vendors are compliant with our Made in Hawai‘i mandates, while some might put out some products that are obviously not made in Hawai‘i we must be notified ASAP to remind them of the rules and remove those products," the spokesperson said. "Ultimately our goal is to only showcase products that meet the Made in Hawai‘i standard and we would hope our vendors abide by these requirements."

An obviously popular draw, some attendees began waiting in line to enter long before the festival doors opened to the public.

On Friday, the first group began lining up at 1:30 a.m., for Saturday, they waited from 9:30 p.m. the night before, and on Sunday, the first person in line showed up at 2 a.m., the spokesperson told ASD.

"The lines began to get lengthy from 6 a.m. in the morning, when the doors didn't open to the public until 10 a.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday," they said. "This year, enhanced security measures were required by the Hawai‘i Convention Center including a magnetometer screening within our point of entry. This did slow the entry somewhat, especially on Friday, but Saturday and Sunday there was little to no line, or the line for entry had been cleared and was moving quickly by 10:30am on both Saturday and Sunday."

As for the lessons learned from this year's MIHF that might be carried forward in the future, the spokesperson says festival organizers are looking at ways to "provide more opportunities for an easier shopping experience and better entry options."

"We may consider adding additional hours, additional entry doors, and always consider suggestions and feedback," they said. "We are trying to be mindful of various issues like construction and availability — so the exact dates and location for 2026 are not yet confirmed."

Aloha State Daily attended the festival and caught up with a handful of the small business owners who set up shop. 

Also worth noting: a total of $30,000 was donated to MIHF's charity partners the Hawaiʻi Foodbank and The Food Basket's DA BUX program. More than $7,000 was donated by attendees through ticket purchases, which was matched by the Hawai‘i Food Industry Association. That $15,000 subtotal was doubled by the Servco Foundation.

“We are extremely grateful to everyone who attended, our sponsors, and the hundreds of small businesses who shared their craft and passion with the community,” Lauren Zirbel, president of the Hawai‘i Food Industry Association, said in an announcement Monday. “The Made in Hawai‘i Festival continues to be a gathering place that uplifts local talent and gives back to the community that makes this event possible.”

MIHF 081525 entrance

<title>Made in Hawai‘i Festival draws nearly 70K attendees</title>

The three-day event began Friday, Aug. 15, and ran through the weekend.

Made in Hawai‘i Festival draws nearly 70K attendees

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta Headshot

Kelli Shiroma Braiotta

Food & Dining

A Korean chicken spot recently closed in the Ward neighborhood, but not to worry — another just opened its place.

 just opened its second location in the Ward neighborhood (its 

). The biz specializes in Korean fried chicken, and opened in the former space of Good Chicken. 

At the time of our visit, the eatery's sign wasn't up yet, so keep an eye out for the E Chicken menu in the window.

This location is essentially a walk-up window. While there are a few benches, it’s more conducive to takeout.

The menu at the new Ward location is similar to that of the business’s Waikīkī store. You can find a variety of fried chicken — whole chicken, boneless chicken tenders and chicken wings — along with popular Korean street foods.

The K-pop boneless chicken and crispy chicken are customer favorites. You can purchase chicken a la carte or as plates; plates include rice and macaroni salad.

No matter which chicken version you choose, you can anticipate a crispy, crunchy exterior and juicy interior.

For any chicken, choose from flavors like honey shoyu, ranch, shoyu garlic, K-barbecue yangnyeom (a sweet and spicy sauce) or a chili spicy version. The K-barbecue yangnyeom is especially popular, thanks to its mix of spicy, tangy and slightly sweet flavors.

The business also offers popular Korean street foods like tteokbokki, soft tofu stew, seafood pancakes and bibimbap ($13.95 each). If you want something similar to tteokbokki — Korean rice cakes in a Gochujang-based sauce — but less spicy, go for the rose tteokbokki, which is a little cheesier and creamier.

The biz is featuring a special for August. When you buy one item, you can get the second for 50% off (the discount applies to the item of lesser value).

Phone orders are recommended, as customer parking is limited in front of the store.

E Chicken Ward batch of fried chicken 081525

<title>Korean fried chicken biz opens a second location</title>

E Chicken just opened in the former space of Good Chicken in the Ward neighborhood. Feast on a variety of fried chicken and Korean street food.

Korean fried chicken biz opens a second location

Christian Shimabuku Headshot

Christian Shimabuku

Sports

With each game getting televised on the ESPN family of networks, combined with its sheer name brand recognition, the Little League World Series has upheld its reputation as the biggest platform in youth sports for decades. 

Held annually in Williamsport, Pa., teams from around the world compete for the opportunity to merely appear in the tournament. 

Since 2018, the state of Hawai‘i has become a mainstay in the tournament. Teams from the Islands have won six of the last seven West Regionals, including Honolulu Little League in 2025. 

The 2025 Little League World Series will mark Honolulu Little League manager Gerald Oda's third trip to Williamsport. Oda led HLL to 2018 and 2022 to LLWS championships, going a combined 11-0 in those tournaments. 

Although the 2025 LLWS tournament began on Wednesday, Honolulu will not begin until Friday due to the tournament's bracket draw. Honolulu will take on Connecticut's Fairfield National Little League on Friday at 1 p.m. HST in a game that will be televised live on ESPN. 

Aloha State Daily recently caught up with Oda via Zoom for a Q&A prior to a team dinner in one of the team's first days in Williamsport. 

Congratulations on making it to Williamsport once again. So many people look at it as a once in a lifetime experience, but for you, it's your third time. 

 "I just really feel thankful for these bunch of kids that we have. It's all due to their hard work and their effort and just very grateful. I don't take this for granted one bit. Like you said, it's a once in a lifetime opportunity. But to make it this third time, I deeply appreciate this opportunity to represent again our great state of Hawai‘i to be on this journey with these 12 kids."

 The first two teams you took to Williamsport pretty much dominated the competition. This year's team has had some tight games in 

 but still won them all thus far. Is the ability to pull out the close ones part of the identity of your team this year?

"[The 2025 team] is totally different. It's human nature. You're gonna want to compare. No different from our 2022 team, the first thing people say is, 'How does it compare it to the 2018 team?' They're all different. You know, 2018 team, bunch of hammahs. Thirteen out of the 14 players went on to play college baseball. The 2022 team, they dominated right when they came to Williamsport, which we're very grateful and appreciative of. 

"[The 2025] team is different. It's like making a puzzle. The 2018 team was a totally different puzzle to put together and picture compared to 2022 and no different to this team. We don't have to be like how 2018 was or how 2022 was. We just have to make our own beautiful picture together."

You guys are the last team to take the field in the entire 20-team tournament this year. Do you enjoy the strategy part of that, or are the boys eager to get out there? 

"They're definitely eager to play. But for us, I think it's a benefit being the last team to play. It could work both ways. We played the first day in 2022, which was great. We could get into that rhythm early, and it helped us out tremendously. So vice versa. I'm just hoping that us being the last team in this tournament is going to help us in a sense that it gives the kids a chance to soak it in more so off the field, so that when we step on the field, they're going to be really hungry to play."

 It's been 20 years since the kids from ‘Ewa Beach went to the World Series and became the first Hawai‘i team to win it all. Kids on the teams that followed said they were inspired by that run. Any time there's a team in Williamsport from Hawai‘i, regardless of Island, they gain the entire state's support. You've experienced it a couple of times. What's that support like?

 "A-may-zing [laughs]. That Layton Aliviado team back in 2005 when they went, of course, tremendous. Respect for those guys, because they were the first team to make it here and win it all. And no different from 2008, when Timo Donahue coached the team and they won it all. And even in 2010 when Brian Yoshii took his team and they won the U.S. championship that year. So of course, they laid on the groundwork for us in here in Honolulu Little League, and I deeply appreciate and respect those guys. Since back then, it's always been that same way. I was explaining it to the Mainland reporters that you don't know how Hawai‘i is, that Hawai‘i is a very special place in the sense that of course, you're very competitive with one another trying to represent and get out of the state tournament. But once a team leaves Hawai‘i, it's like, that's our team. 

"We explained to the boys that we are no longer Honolulu. We're Team Hawai‘i. We're representing the entire state of Hawai‘i, and it's our responsibility now to make sure that when we step on the field, whatever we do, that we show the world how great our state is by their behavior, not necessarily just how we play, but by our behavior. And the support and love that we get from everybody back home is tremendous. After winning the regional tournament, almost got 200 text messages like, holy moly. My phone just blew up, which I was very appreciative. I could be saying the same thing about all the parents . ... It could be just a simple text message, a phone call, but just knowing that there's so many people back home wanting us to do well, praying for us to do well, it means a lot."

What kind of ballplayer were you back in the day?

 "Horrible [laughs]. I was not a good baseball player. I wasn't good. You know, I thought I was good. I was cocky as hell. I wasn't really good, but I do have a lot of great experiences from my Little League baseball coaches. Guys that not only did they teach us baseball, but they were just good coaches that really cared for myself and my brothers. ... They taught us the Xs and Os on the ball field. But they taught me, they showed it by how much they cared for myself, along with my brothers. That's who I wish to be. I was not a very good baseball player, but I really had great coaches, though."

 How did you get into coaching? Were you always winning a lot of games?

"My older brother, Donovan, he was a former baseball player at the University of Hawai‘i. After he graduated one of the parents saw him one day and asked him if he was interested in coaching. My brother said yes, and my other brother [and current Honolulu Little League assistant coach], Keith, was coaching with me. We all decided, hey, let's give back. I started the journey some 33 years ago. How I coached when I first started coaching with my brothers, now it's totally different. When I was young, I already thought I knew it all, but I still don't know it all. That's the great thing about coaching. If you stay humble and you always stay hungry to learn, there's so much I can improve on, even to this day. But it's something that's very gratifying for myself along with my brother Keith and (Honolulu Little League assistant coach) Willis Kato, too."

Pretty much every adult involved in Little League baseball is a volunteer. What's your day job like? 

: "I'm an investigator for GEICO Insurance. I work in their special investigations. I'm very fortunate. It gives me a lot of flexibility. Without that kind of flexibility with my job, there's no way I could coach baseball. Of course, I'm very fortunate and appreciative to have that kind of occupation, being an investigator with a great company at GEICO."

One difference in you I noticed from the last time you were on ESPN in 2022 to now is the tattoo on your left arm. Can you explain the significance of it? 

"It's actually a new tattoo. There's actually Kanji on it in Japanese, it means never give up. It's my way of reminding myself that no matter what, never give up. And I explained that to the kids, that even as coaches, as an adult, there's times that I feel like, wow, can we really do it? But, looking at this tattoo on my arm always reminds me to never give up. Nothing we can't accomplish as long as we don't give up."

 Thanks for sharing that. When exactly did you get it? Do you have any other tattoos? 

 "I got it in 2023, so about two years ago. I have one on my back, but you can't see it, it's a smaller one on my back, my shoulder. Me and my best friend actually got it together. It was actually his daughter that gave me the design, that did the ink on my arm. So I very much appreciated that, that she did it for me. ... She went on, and it was painful as hell, but again, it has deep significance. For me, I wanted something that really meant something. I practice Buddhism. 

"There's a carp. There's a waterfall, and so my tattoo is about a carp trying to get up this waterfall. If the carp gets up to this waterfall, it promises that if you can make it to the top, you become this dragon. They call it the dragon game. It's actually a dried up carp trying to make it up to this waterfall. It goes all the way to here, and it turns into a dragon. 

"But it symbolizes that whole never give up thing that even though it seems insurmountable, if you want to achieve greatness, then you cannot give up. ... I will never give up, it all ties into that, and that's the significance of that tattoo. And it reminds me every day that, hey, if you ever want to achieve something great, you got to make great effort, and you cannot give up."

Mahalo for your time and insight, coach. Is there anything you'd like to add? 

 "I just want to say thank you to everybody back home for all their tremendous support and prayers. There's a lot of 

 out there. There's a Mānoa team coached by Matt Apana. There's a Fear 808 team coached by Chris Hino, there's an LA team coached by 

. They're all at the 12U World Series for Cal Ripken in Branson, Mo. And then you have a 10-and-under Hawai‘i Kai team coached by Shane Butcher, they're in 

 Just wishing all those guys the best. All of us are all in the same boat. We're just trying to represent Hawai‘i in the best way possible, and deeply, deeply sending prayers to those guys."

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social: Check out this kāne's chore-ography

ASD Staff

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: When there’s a will, there’s a way

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Wipe out!

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Always grinding

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: How local are you?

Most read

Hawaiʻi Scene on Social: Check out this kāne's chore-ography

Authors

ASD Staff

More in Hawaiʻi Scene on Social

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: When there’s a will, there’s a way

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Wipe out!

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: Always grinding

Hawai‘i Scene on Social: How local are you?

Most read