Dennis Asuncion inducted into Big Island Sports Hall of Fame

      Dennis Ernest Asuncion was born in Hilo in 1948 and grew up in the sugar plantations at camp Amauulu.

During his early amateur boxing career Asuncion became the Amateur Boxing Associations 112 pound division champion and the following year captured the 112 lb open division.

Graduating from Hilo High in 1966 Asuncion resumed his boxing while in the military and became the Hawaii State Amateur Athletic Union Champion in 1969.

Following his military service Asuncion returned to the Big Island and resumed boxing for the late Jack Matsui.  In 1970 he became the 119 lb Hawaii State AAU Champion and later won the Hawaii State Golden Gloves Championship.

His list of amateur achievements in the local boxing scene is endless as he won several titles.

From 1972 to ’75 he coached the Wanderers Athletic Club and from 1977 to 1995 he was a boxing official for the Hawaii County Parks and Recreation Junior Boxing Program and for the Hawaii Police Activities League Amateur Boxing Program.

Asuncion was a three time State of Hawaii AAU champion, a two time State of Hawaii Golden Gloves Champion, a two time BIABA Invitational Tournament Champion, and a US Army Pacific Area Champion.

Asuncion was selected in 1971 as the Big Island Athlete of the Year.  (Asuncion passed away on March 2, 2011)

For his numerous awards in amateur boxing and for his years of community service to the sport of boxing the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame has selected his, along with six others, to be inducted to the 2011 War of Fame.

The BISHF will have a ceremony at the Wall of Fame at the Prince Kuhio Mall on August 21 at 10 am.

“We will introduce the seven and display their photos to the wall,” Chairman Derek Shigematsu said.  “We are hoping past inductees and the general public will come out to support the newly inducted honorees.”

Following the Wall dedication the ceremony will move to a luncheon at the Nani Mau Gardens at noon were a formal ceremony will take place.

For those interested in attending the luncheon the cost is $20 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under.  Seating is limited.

Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling Ellsworth Fontes at 935-5519.

The late Jack Matsui was the founder of the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame.

Related Links:

https://waynejoseph.wordpress.com/2011/07/29/canoe-paddling-icon-inducted-into-sports-hall-of-fame/

https://waynejoseph.wordpress.com/2011/07/27/sam-alameda-to-be-inducted-into-sports-hall-of-fame/

https://waynejoseph.wordpress.com/2011/07/21/big-island-sports-hall-of-fame-to-induct-7/

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Former Waiakea cross country runner, now International Model

Former Waiakea High cross country runner, Jaclynn Joseph, has been featured in Red Magazine http://hawaiiredmagazine.com/?p=11982

Yes, she is my daughter, but belongs in this sports blog because she continues to stay in shape.

Young miss Joseph starts each day with 100 crunches and goes for walks of 3 to 4 miles.

While living in Taiwan she is found at the gym on a regular bases as she strives to live healthy by working out and eating right.

Check out the link above to the Red Magazine web site and tell me what you think.

Canoe Paddling Icon inducted into Sports Hall of Fame

John Kekua, Jr.

John Clifford Kekua, Jr. inducted into Sports Hall of Fame

John Kekua, Jr. passed away on September 1, 2010 at the age of 62.

Kekua was an icon and great role model in the Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Paddling Community for more than 30 years. 

According to his daughter, Joy Kekua, canoe paddling has been passed down from generation to generation with the Kekua family.

Kekua was always athletic, being a member of the Hilo High football team he also threw shot put for the Vikings.

But Kekua made his mark in the world of canoe paddling as he worked to reorganize the Kamehameha Canoe Club in 1975.  Totally dedicated to canoe paddling Kekua worked tirelessly to preserve and perpetuate the sport until his passing.

Over the past 30 years Kekua has held numerous positions such as president of the Kamehameha Canoe Club, head coach of the same club, president of Moku O Hawaii Racing Association, president of Hawaiian Canoe Racing……….the list goes on and on.

For his numerous contributions to Hawai’i Island’s canoe paddling community and for his unselfish years of service the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame has inducted him, along with six others.

The BISHF will have a ceremony at the Wall of Fame at the Prince Kuhio Mall on August 21 at 10 am.

“We will introduce the seven and display their photos to the wall,” Chairman Derek Shigematsu said.  “We are hoping past inductees and the general public will come out to support the newly inducted honorees.”

Following the Wall dedication the ceremony will move to a luncheon at the Nani Mau Gardens at noon were a formal ceremony will take place.

For those interested in attending the luncheon the cost is $20 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under.  Seating is limited.

Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling Ellsworth Fontes at 935-5519.

The late Jack Matsui was the founder of the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame.

Third Annual Bieni Kohler-Johnson 5K set for Sept 4

                  Kohler-Johnson 5K run/walk

The third annual Bieni Kohler-Johnson 5K Run/Walk will be held at 9 a.m. Sept. 4 at Hawaii Preparatory Academy in Waimea.

Entry fee is $25 for adults, $10 for students 14 and under, with a late fee of an additional $10 after Aug 29. Proceeds benefit the Bieni Kohler-Johnson scholarship, which annually is awarded to three females for their gifts in athletics, academics or the arts.

Registration and pledge forms are available online at www.bienifunrun.org. The top fundraiser will receive a two-night stay at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, and the runner-up will receive a round of golf for four at the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Medals will be awarded for top males and females in the overall division and each age group.

For more information, contact Liz Noetzel at 989-9100 or HPArace@gmail.com.

Sam Alameda to be Inducted into Sports Hall of Fame

Sam Alameda

Sam Alameda inducted into Sports Hall of Fame

Sam Alameda, now 74 years of age, is a retired part time plumber and caregiver for his wife, Charlotte, who is battling from Alzheimer’s disease.

Alameda, in his younger days, was well know in local boxing circles as he was pitted against Joe Ayala and Joe Gumpher.

Alameda went on to a great ammeter boxing career fighting local giants such as Aladino Gusman, Dickie Wong, Randy Kim Seu and Choken Maekawa.

During his high school days at Hilo Alameda was a basketball standout in 1955 and ’56 until he caught the boxing bug in the mid-‘60’s.

In 1969 Alameda helped form the Waiakea Boxing Club formed with six Biddy Boxers.  In three years the club grew to 26 members.

Alameda made numerous contributions to Hilo’s boxing community and for his unselfish years of service the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame has inducted him, along with six others.

The BISHF will have a ceremony at the Wall of Fame at the Prince Kuhio Mall on August 21 at 10 am.

“We will introduce the seven and display their photos to the wall,” Chairman Derek Shigematsu said.  “We are hoping past inductees and the general public will come out to support the newly inducted honorees.”

Following the Wall dedication the ceremony will move to a luncheon at the Nani Mau Gardens at noon were a formal ceremony will take place.

For those interested in attending the luncheon the cost is $20 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under.  Seating is limited.

Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling Ellsworth Fontes at 935-5519.

The late Jack Matsui was the founder of the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame.