Hilo Golfer Shoots His Age

Thomas "Chicken" Imanaka - 91

I’m certainly glad that Hawaii’s own Michelle Wie was able to win her first professional tournament while on the LPGA circuit.

Wie has brought much attention to the sport of golf and has become one of the marquee performers, along with Tiger Woods.

Here in Hilo we have our very own living legend of golf.  Someone that has shot four aces (holes in ones) and three eagles during their lifetime and continues to shoot his age.

Every weekend at the Hilo Municipal Golf Course you can find the man who is thought to be the oldest golfer on the Big Island firing away from the “white tee.”

Thomas “Chicken” Imanaka turned 91 on Sunday, but you wouldn’t be able to tell just by looking at him. 

“I was playing golf three times a week until my Tuesday partner got sick,” Imanaka said.  “Now I play just two times a week, every Saturday and Sunday, at Hilo Muni.”

To add to his fitness routine Imanaka will walk for 30 minutes four or five times per week, usually around the three school campus at the Waiakea complex.

“I used to walk a lot more, but my doctor told me I was doing too much and that I should cut back.  My doctor said that at my age 30 minutes per day is plenty,” he said.

Imanaka’s good health at such an advanced age might come as a surprise for those that knew him while he was in high school.  “I was sickly during my high school years and my mother was always taking me to the doctor,” he said.

“I was supposed to have graduated from Hilo High in 1937, but my illnesses caused me to graduate in 1939.”

Imanaka was a late bloomer in the fitness world as he didn’t discover the value of aerobic until age 50.  “For 25 years, from 50 to age 75, I would run every day after work and then I’d play golf every weekend,” he said.

At age 75 Imanaka changed from running to walking to lessen the impact on his joints and he is recognized by many of the teachers and staff at Waiakea, where he walks nearly every afternoon.

“I’m not 100 percent healthy,” Imanaka said.  “I have some health problems, but if I compare myself to my friends 5 years younger, they’re all gone.  It’s getting lonely as most of the people I grew up with have all passed away.”

One of Imanaka’s health problems came five years ago when he contracted shingles.  “I was misdiagnosed and never got the shot that would have helped me get rid of shingles,” he said.  “I still suffer from the pain and burning sensation.  It’s with me every day.”

To ease the discomfort associated with shingles Imanaka will cut the kukui nut and rub the juice on the affected areas.  “The kukui nut remedy provides some temporary relief, but I need to be careful as it stains my clothes,” he said.

Imanaka has made friends with golfing partners that are 10 years younger than him as the sport continues to bring him much joy.

“I still use the white tee and golf has become more of a pitch and putt game for me.  If my head is in the game I play well, if it’s not then my game is off,” he said.

And this 91-year old man can still shoot his age.  “On a good day I can shoot 90,” he said.  “It all depends on my short game.”

Imanaka believes that mental attitude has a lot to do with golf and happiness in life.  “What you think, matters in life.  For me I don’t make any excuses.  There are days I don’t feel like walking, but I go out for a walk anyway.”

Imanaka starts each morning with a stretching exercise for his legs.  “Before I get out of bed in the morning I grab a nylon strap and place it around an ankle and gently stretch one leg, before switching to the other.”

“As we age we lose our flexibility,” he said.  “Stretching is real important and I’ve told all my friends that they should try to do it each day.”

For breakfast Imanaka will have a half papaya with a slice of whole wheat toast spreading some fruit jelly or jam over the bread.   He will also drink a glass of fruit juice.  “I gave up caffeine about 50 or 60 years ago and I don’t each much meat,” he said.

Married to his wife, Motomi, for nearly 60 years the Imanaka’s are self-reliant and active members in the community.

I’m always impressed whenever I see Mr. Imanaka walking around the Waiakea Complex as this man looks and acts 20 to 30 years younger than he really is.

Imanaka serves as an inspiration to many of us in the community who can appreciate the aging process and see firsthand the value of taking good care of ourselves.

It takes effort, on our part, in order to age well.  We need to exercise and stretch each day, we need to watch what we eat and not over eat and we need to maintain a positive attitude about life and those around us.

People like Thomas “Chicken” Imanaka can show us the results and the value of good health well into our 80’s and 90’s.

Happy Birthday Mr. Imanaka and may you have many more healthy and happy birthdays celebrated on the golf course.

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Hawaii’s Best Prep Harriers to Compete at West Regionals

FOOTLOCKER CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS WEST REGIONAL

States Competing in the West Regional

Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming, and U.S. citizens in Overseas Military Installations. Runners/participants do not need to be a United States citizen to compete.

Saturday, December 05, 2009 @ 7:10 AM local time

Names	High School	Grade	Race
Colin Honiker	Aiea High School	12	Senior Boys
Charlene Valeriano	Campbell High School	11	Junior Girls
Dylan Lee	Castle High School	12	Senior Boys
Eric Pak	Castle High School	12	Senior Boys
Pierce Murphy	Island Schools	11	Seeded Boys
Michael Nagaishi	Kalani High School	10	Fresh/Soph Boys
Daniel Brooks	Keeau High School	12	Seeded Boys
Shannon White	Keeau High School	12	Senior Boys
Adam Weaver	Leilehua High School	11	Junior Boys
Alana Romauldo	Leilehua High School	9	Fresh/Soph Girls
Branden Miya	Leilehua High School	10	Junior Boys
Christine Siquig	Leilehua High School	12	Senior Girls
Dylan Chang	Leilehua High School	10	Fresh/Soph Boys
Dylan Martinez	Leilehua High School	9	F/S All West Boys
Elliot Estrada	Leilehua High School	10	F/S All West Boys
Jessica Piatt	Leilehua High School	9	Fresh/Soph Girls
Kayleigh Waters	Leilehua High School	10	F/S All West Girls
Kelsey Waters	Leilehua High School	9	F/S All West Girls
Kristine Cherry	Leilehua High School	9	Fresh/Soph Girls
Margarito Martinez	Leilehua High School	11	Seeded Boys
Micah Velasco	Leilehua High School	11	Junior Boys
Michael McCaffrey	Leilehua High School	10	F/S All West Boys
Reagen Morgan	Leilehua High School	10	F/S All West Boys
Rhiannon Cleveland	Leilehua High School	9	F/S All West Girls
Krisiten Ali Kieth	Mililani High School	12	Seeded Girls
Zachary Carvalho	Mililani High School	9	F/S All West Boys

   Chris Mosch          Honokaa High School           11    Seeded Boys

Iolani will also be taking some runners to the West Regional Championships, but the Red Raiders have not made their list available.

BIRR Post Thanksgiving run/walk Results

BIRR president, Greg Lum Ho, addresses a group of runners prior to start of a fun run/walk

A sparse group attended this mornings (Saturday’s) Big Island Road Runners 5K run/walk at Coconut Island.

According to club president, Greg Lum Ho, the low numbers may have been a result of miscommunication as the BIRR schedule had the event slated for tomorrow morning.

Lum Ho will return to the Coconut Island parking area on Sunday morning, “in case some people show up,” Lum Ho said.

Following is the list and times of the 18 people that crossed the finish line Saturday  that was provided by Lum Ho:

1 Justin Pang 19:08
2 James Yoshimoto 19:44
3 Steve Pavao 20:00
4 Stewart Miyashiro 20:11
5 Shalila de Bourmont 21:59
6 Justin Kunkle 22:03
7 Heidi Frei 23:20
8 Jim Tuscany 23:449 
9 Roy Yamaha 24:23
10 dean Alip 24:29
11 ester Kanehailua 25:57
12 BIG DOG 25:58
13 Dayson Alip 27:01
14 Kelly Freitas 27:11
15 Gilbert Bailado 30:48
16 matt Lum 32:37
17 Malcolm Makua 32:37
18 Susan O’Neill 1:03:29

For questions about upcoming BIRR events contact Lum Ho at: 987-5224 or kahakuokahale@msn.com

ON SUNDAY MORE RUNNERS SHOWED UP:  RESULTS LISTED BELOW:

1 choy bacor 20:24
2 john hylas 20:25
3 steve pavao 21:37
4 cody walker 22:03
5 saya baker 23:04
6 pete hill 23:24
7 arjun clarry 24:42
8 dj blinn 25:24
9 casey chai 25:41
10 daysan matsuda 25:43
11 mahina lui-kwan 26:05 (first female)
12 charles broswick 26:57
13 jacob elarco 27:03
14 ken yoshitomi 27:06
15 max shimamoto 27:08
16 david duvoisin 28:17
17 dylan loi 28:55
18 sheila cadaoas 29:03 (second female)
19 alexandria burman 29:31 (third female)
20 nancy hill 29:32
21 matthew coglan 30:50
22 elijah pung 30:50
23 nani lancaster 30:50
24 malcolm makua 31:13
25 josh hoomanawanui 31:29
26 zachary okumoto 36:49
27 steven robello 37:51
28 michelle macanas 39:35
29 cedrick robert 40:40
30 maicah keawe 40:41
31 kawika kekaualua 43:28
32 david robello 44:52
33 kawehi kanoho 45:02
34 leezah inamine 46:18
35 ashly deguzman-h 46:18
36 jessie mata 49:20
37 carle mata 49:20
38 kaimiloa yoshida 57:03
39 kalena zimmerman 57:03
40 dady dumaguin 57:03
41 dustin delima 57:03
42 micah ahar 57:03
43 iwalani koili 57:03
44 lauren siboryton 57:03
45 kuulei kramer 57:03
46 dalen nakooka 57:59
47 pii miller 58:03
48 carteon soung 58:04
49 kim palea 58:07
50 kenson wagner 1:02:02
51 christian saragosa 1:02:02
52 saesha bohol-perez 1:04:02
53 kawelina gomes 1:04:02
54 jennifer park 1:05:02
55 alana matsuoka 1:05:02

Kahuku 9, Farrington 6 in HHSAA Football

Kahuku remains undfeated

Scoring Summary (Final)
                    First Hawaiian Bank/HHSAA State Football
   Farrington Governors vs Kahuku Red Raiders (Nov 27, 2009 at Honolulu, HI)

            Farrington Governors (9-3) vs. Kahuku Red Raiders (12-0)
Date: Nov 27, 2009  Site: Honolulu, HI          Stadium: Aloha Stadium
Attendance:

Score by Quarters     1  2  3  4 OT   Score
—————–    — — — — —   —–
Farrington Governors  0  6  0  0  0  –  6
Kahuku Red Raiders..  0  3  0  3  3  –  9

Scoring Summary:
2nd 10:06 FARRINGT – Tuimaseve, H. 1 yd run (Kaina, Moses kick blockd)
                                          7 plays, 35 yards, TOP 2:13, FARRINGT 6 – KAHUKU 0
    00:00 KAHUKU – Mercado, C. 49 yd field goal
                                          8 plays, 52 yards, TOP 1:13, FARRINGT 6 – KAHUKU 3
4th 04:32 KAHUKU – Mercado, C. 37 yd field goal
                                         15 plays, 64 yards, TOP 5:10, FARRINGT 6 – KAHUKU 6
OT  12:00 KAHUKU – Mercado, C. 28 yd field goal
                                           4 plays, 9 yards, TOP 0:00, FARRINGT 6 – KAHUKU 9

Kickoff time: 4:08 pm   End of Game: 6:53 pm   Total elapsed time: 2:45
Officials: Referee: Harvest, M.; Umpire: Ferreira, Gary; Linesman: Quartero, M.;
Line judge: Alama, Rusty; Back judge: Mirafuentes, B.; Field judge: Stoffers, Eric;
Side judge: Pasion, Raymond; Scorer: Young, Dara;
Temperature: 83F       Wind: NE 15-25  Weather: Passing showers

Suggestions for Getting a Good Night’s Sleep

Sleep, or lack thereof, can have a dramatic effect on your overall health in the short and long term. What can you do to ensure a good night’s sleep? Here are three simple suggestions to get you started:

Stick to a Routine: When it comes to getting a good night’s sleep, conditioning your body to sleep at a certain time (and for a certain length of time) increases your chances of falling asleep quickly and waking up refreshed.

Developing an evening ritual is also important in this regard: Set the stage for quality sleep with a warm bath, a good book or soft music.

 

Light and Darkness: Sunlight helps regulate your circadian clock, the bodies

24-hour cycle, and also stimulates the production of melatonin, a hormone that regulates your sleep cycle. On the other hand, when you’re preparing for sleep, it’s vital to limit sources of light that can make it harder to doze off. That means pulling the shades, turning off all the lights and shutting doors.

 Don’t Drink, Don’t Smoke: There are countless reasons not to do either of these things, but in terms of sleep, drinking alcohol and smoking can have profound negative consequences. You may think alcohol will help you fall asleep, but it won’t keep you asleep, not after its metabolized. And nicotine is a stimulant – perfect for keeping you awake all night long.