Resolution Run/Walk Story

      Resolutions for 2013  BIG DOG #502 (Jan 30, 2012)

Resolutions are a small commitment that a person makes to one or more personal goals in anticipation of the New Year. It is a New Beginning for people who want to commit to it and stick with it. Most resolutions people make have to do with changing their lifestyles for the better. New Year resolutions are made with the hope that people can stick with it for the entire year to enhance their lives.

With that being said the Big Dog went about asking a group of volunteers at his run/walk this past Sunday what their resolutions were for 2013. He also asked a few of the more than 200 people that participated the same question and this is what he got as answers:

Paul Okubo the Big Dog timer had this to say, “You never gave me a chance to say this at the Thanksgiving Day race that
 I am profoundly thankful that all three of my children had the good fortune to have a terrific cross-country/track coach 
named Wayne Joseph. Because of you all three children, now adults themselves continue to jog or run in order to keep fit.”

Steve Pavao was on hand to represent the Big Island Road Runners. Pavao put out the  mile markers for this race. His resolution is to do his part to make the world a better place for everyone.

Keith Aoki from Anheuser-Busch supplied the sports drinks for the runners and he had this to say, “I hope everyone has a safe 2013 and that they remember to drink responsibly when consuming alcoholic beverages.”

David Hammes who volunteered to do the turnaround at the half way mark added: “I am resolving to be more compassionate, caring, and giving to everyone I come in contact with. I am hoping to qualify for the Boston Marathon (very unlikely, but one has to dream!)”

Sylas Wright a volunteer at the sign in table from  Seattle Washington said this “

I resolve to be more generous with myself in 2013; to live in the moment and love and appreciate all the good things in my life.

Joe Wedemann another volunteer who brought the water and Gator Aid had this say “my resolution is to help my brother Bob get back on his feet after a long, painful divorce. I am giving him a place to stay, (room, board, food, etc.) all out of the goodness of my heart.

I would also note that he is overweight, out of shape, and type 2 diabetic and that I am helping him get his health back under control so he can enjoy his new life here in Hawaii.”

My family doctor, Internist Aaron Morita who was on hand for the run had this to say about his resolution. “My 2013 commitment is to be more attentive to my wife Pat and take care of her better as she takes great care of me, our family, our home and business,” Morita said.

During the Resolution 5K run it was Jason Braswell of the Big Island Running Company who would have won the race had he not taken a wrong turn leading him way from the finish line and allowing a pair of high school runners to pass him near the finish.  This allowed Stephen Hunter from Hilo High to win the race in a time of 18 minutes 08 seconds. Second place went to Waiakea’s Ian McQuate in a time of 18:10.

“I ran today to help the Food Basket.” Said Hunter

“I guess my resolution for 2013 is to know where the finish line is prior to the race and not allow this to happen to me again,” said a smiling Braswell who finished the race in a time of 18:15.

The finish had been changed when a Police Officer had told runners they couldn’t run through Bayfront because of an on going investigation and the entire course had to be changed to run in the opposite direction.

Overall

Taking first place for the woman was Noe Waller (21:29) , followed by Leslie Spinelli  (21:40), taking third place was Mehana Sabato-Halphern.

“I haven’t raced in a very long time. I was terrified to come today.” Waller said. “My resolution

for the new year is to not be afraid to run road races and get back into doing what I love.” Waller said.

This event attracted more than 200 participants and raised over three hundred dollars and trunk loads of can goods for the Hawaii Island Food Basket.

It takes lots of volunteers and community support to step up and be flexible. At the last minute the course had to be re routed due to the closure of Bayfront Highway. The Big Island Road Runners stepped up to make this run/walk possible and at 6 am changed to a new course. Despite the constant rain and change in the course the race was a huge success.

Participants ranged in age from 6 years to 80 years young. Lucas Kay-Wong age 6 had this to say, “I ran with my dad today because he said I would be a better soccer player if I did this race. I had a lot of fun today.

And someday should you happen to come upon a slow jogger resolving to love his wife more and taking one day at a time remember to say “woof” and never shy away from “Running with the Big Dog.”

Email the Big Dog @ waiakeabigdog@aol.com.

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Random photo’s from BIG DOG’s Resolution Run/walk

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Officials Meet Boys results from Dec 21&22

Boys:

• 152lbs, Alan Ikehara, Waiakea, 3rd place
• 114lbs, Justin Raymond, Konawaena, 2nd place
• 120lbs, Warren Buenavista, Konawaena, 4th place
• 108lbs, Chace Booth, Kealakehe, 6th place

 

Konawaena’s Louis and Shirakee win Officials meet on Oahu

Girls      

• 140lbs, Tanelei Louis, Konawaena, 1st Place
• 220lbs, Aimee Shirakee   , Konawaena, 1st Place

John Kai staying active by playing hoops in the 35 and older league

For many who first get exposed to sports, their parent becomes their greatest influence.  Such is the case with John Kai whose father was a huge influence on him and his siblings.

“Dad was a star athlete at St. Joseph High School and excelled in baseball and basketball and his love of sports rubbed off on all of us,” Kai said.

Kai Sr. was a multi talented athlete and coach who taught and coached at a variety of schools throughout the Big Island.

“He coached many youth teams, he also coached high school baseball and won the Big Island Interscholastic Federation Title for the Honokaa Dragons in 1977” Kai said.  “In 1975-76 he coached the Kau Trojans High School baseball team and basically rebuilt that program from scratch, a real life ‘Bad News Bears’ story.”

As was common in most sporting families the Kai kids were always hanging around the gym, the baseball dugouts, attending practices and games.

“It gave us opportunities to watch the big kids play,” Kai said.

In high school, at Honokaa, Kai was active playing baseball and basketball and running cross country and he graduated in 1983.

“I played Varsity baseball as a freshman, but that’s not saying much because I could barely make the throw from 3^rd base to 1^st base during tryouts, so the coach, Rodney Botelho, placed me at 2^nd base and I grew to become a decent baseball player. I made the BIIF All-Star team my Junior and Senior year,” Kai said.

“I could field, I was fast on the bases and I was part of the pitching rotation,” he said.

Kai went onto play varsity basketball in his junior year for the Dragons.

“I was thrilled when Coach Sunday Marcellino asked him to come out for the team.”

It was during one preseason tournament on Maui that the young Kai showed his value to the team.

“During our pre-season tournament I came off the bench and scored 25 points for the team. I didn’t follow any of the scripted plays, I just played and scored,” he said.

“Coaches weren’t happy but we won and I did make the all-tournament team,” Kai said.

Kai till this day admits to playing pickup games in Hilo in the 35 and older Men’s League where he is still a shooter.

“Funny thing is that all the older guys in the Big Island hoops community know that I won’t go left, never been confident or proficient with dribbling or shooting with my left hand but that doesn’t matter, I’ll keep going to my right, my strength till the day I die,” Kai said.

Kai uses the above as one of his life philosophies.

“Why bother working on a weakness when you can perfect strength?” he said.  “You can always surround yourself with teammates, co-workers or employees who can complement you.  If everybody works to their strengths there is never a downside.”

Kai became a financial advisor and has been in that profession since 1991 with Merrill Lynch and later moved to Paine Weber in 1999. Currently Kai works at Pinnacle Investment Group where today he manages $40 million of assets for numerous clients.

“The stress is tremendous due to the single fact that I’m working with intangibles like retirement planning, investing for growth or income and using instruments that are not even close to being within the realm of my control.” Kai said.

Kai has been married for 25 years to Lori, and together they have three children.  Lori’s daughter Monique is 32 years old and played basketball and graduated from Hilo High in 1998.

Their son, Ian is 25 and a 2007 graduate of Kamehameha Schools-Hawaii where he played junior varsity basketball, volleyball, and baseball.  Ian also ran cross country said a proud Kai in his freshman and sophomore years.

Today Kai stays active by playing in the basketball league for men over 35 where he is known as a shooter.

“It is known as pure play and the pickup games are great for instant cardio,” he said.

“It is also a great stress reliever for most.  When you are on the court playing at game speed there is no time for day dreaming unless you want to get hit in the head with the basketball,” Kai said.

“It is pure play and since a score is being kept it brings out my competitive juices, I just love it,” Kai said.

At home Kai continues his exercise program using both the P90X and Insanity, not religiously, just when he feels sluggish and finds the need to get the blood flowing.

“On Thursday evenings and Sundays afternoon he plays basketball usually for about 1 to 2 hour depending on the length of the games.  The rest of the time he does 2 to 3 days on the Insanity,” Kai said.

Kai does watch he eats.

“I try to stay away from carbs with very little rice and I’ll juice in the morning when I have the stuff available,” he said.  “But every now and again I’ll pig out on a McDonald’s Big Mac meal with that special sauce.”

Kai still has exercise related goals today at age 47.

“I try to maintain a weight of 165 pounds and a BMI under 26,” he said.  “I always pay attention when the size 33 pants starts getting a little to snug and when  my head looks large than normal when I’m brushing me teeth in the morning.”

Here’s wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and someday should you see a slow moving man coming down 22^nd Street in HPP remember to say ‘woof’ and “Never to Shy away from Running with the Big Dog.”