Former Cross-Country Runner Featured at WHS Library

International Model, Jaclynn Joseph

   A former Waiakea High School cross-country runner has been inducted into this year’s Na Mea Kupaianaha O Waiakea – “All that is extraordinary and wonderful about Waiakea High School.”

    Under the guidance of WHS librarian and project coordinator, Gloria Kobayashi, my daughter, Jaclynn Joseph, www.jaclynnjoseph.com,  along with 26 other outstanding alumni were inducted into this year’s honored class.

MMA Mike Aina

Mixed Martial Artist, Michael Aina, was also inducted into this year’s alumni class.

    Kobayashi’s foundations goal is to raise a million dollars to be used to continue the high academic standards of the school and to support various projects.

   Contributions to the Foundation are welcomed at anytime and checks may be made out to the Waiakea High School Foundation, 155 W. Kawili Street, Hilo, HI 96720.

   You can also contact Kobayashi at Gloria_Kobayashi@notes.k12.hi.us should you have any questions concerning the project.

   The public is encouraged to stop by the library during school hours to view the exhibit, which now features 136 Waiakea High alumni and their careers.

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MMA BJ Penn vs. MLB Kurt Suzuki

BJ Penn (left) squares off with Kurt Suzuki - photo by Rick Ogata

   Ultimate Fighting Champion, BJ Penn met Major League Baseball catcher, Kurt Suzuki, in Hilo last week as the two exchanged pleasantries.

   Penn is the UFC World Lightweight Champion and Suzuki is the starting catcher for the Oakland Athletics.

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

Suzuki who resides on Maui is a big fan of BJ Penn and asked State House Representative Jerry Chang to set up a private meeting.

   Penn met Suzuki in his Hilo gym where the two exchanged autographs.  Later that day Suzuki greeted fans at the Prince Kuhio Plaza for an autograph session before flying back to Maui.

   All the photos in this post were taken by Hilo’s Rick Ogata.

Water training techniques

 

Sexy Look for Mixed Martial Arts in Taiwan

Holly Itoga for Hawaii Kai in MMA Taiwan

Hsinchu, Taiwan

    During my travels to Taiwan I ran into a young woman from Oahu by the name of Holly Itoga.

    Itoga is a 1996 graduate of Kaiser High School has traveled quite a bit since her high school days.  “I was getting my MBA in Australia and everyone always talked about India and China so I wanted to study in both,” she said.

   While studying in India Itoga’s professor recommended that she apply for a scholarship to a Taiwanese University which brought her to Taipei.  “Getting a scholarship into the PhD program was a blessing and the opportunities have been amazing here,” she said.

   Itoga opportunities and good looks led her to become a “ring girl” for Mixed Martial Arts events in the small city of Hsinchu, where she has been a resident for the past four years.

   “I’m so excited about MMA in Taiwan and coming from Hawaii, I would love to see a bridge, companies working together, having fighters brought over both ways, especially giving local talent a chance to display their skills,” Itoga said.

    Itoga is now beginning self defense classes with one of the MMA coaches.  “I hope to make a living with MMA, that would be amazing, but MMA is still so new in Taiwan, in the meantime I have to finish this PhD thing,” she said.

Ring girl Holly Itoga