American National Rugby League TOMAHAWKS SQUAD FOR 'OHANA CUP @Tikisgrill

The American National Rugby League has named a 19-man USA Tomahawks
squad for the Ohana Cup Test match against Tonga.

The squad, which includes 13 returning players from the successful
Donnybrook Cup side, is dominated by Hawaii-based players as the game,
to be played on Saturday, May 12, will be staged in Honolulu.

Seven players from Hawaii have been bracketed in the squad, including
former University of Hawaii and NFL player Leonard Peters. The
ex-Warriors star, who was on the Chicago Bears practice squad, has
also been part of USA Rugby Eagles teams in the past three years.

 

Mosese Uitalia and Anthony Sunia, who previously played in the AMNRL
and who has relocated to Hawaii, are listed as shadow reserves.

American Samoa is also represented with two players in the 19. The
vastly experienced Keiki Misipeka and teenager Henry Leatio'o have
been drafted into the squad from the US Pacific colony. At 6’ 4” and
240lbs, 19-year old Leatio'o is a huge talent.

Also in the squad are Dusten Umeda, a USA Sevens pool player, and Tala
Esera, another former football player from UH who had stints
professionally with NFL teams Miami and Philadelphia.

“Really looking forward to working with much of the same squad of
players from the Donnybrook Cup with the inclusion of new players from
Hawaii and American Samoa,” said Tomahawks coach Marcus
Vassilakopoulos.


“We have such a wealth of talent to pull from these days it will
definitely make our job harder and harder to pick a squad for future
matches with every game like an audition for World Cup spots. The ball
is literally in the boys’ hands and I expect the professionalism,
attitude and commitment of these players will gradually increase also. 

“Really looking forward to working with Leonard Peters, Dusten Umeda,
Tala Esera, Henry Leatio'o and Anthony Sunia for the first time.
Quality athletes with very diverse backgrounds from Rugby Union to
Professional Football.”

The squad will be trimmed to a 17-man gameday lineup for the match.
The inaugural Ohana Cup Test is set for a 7pm kickoff local time at
Kaiser Stadium in Honolulu.

USA TOMAHAWKS SQUAD:
Kenny Britt (FL), Apple Pope (FL), Keiki Misipeka (American Samoa),
Henry Leatio'o (American Samoa), Curtis Cunz (CT), Matt Walsh (CT),
Sean Taylor (NY), John Dykeman (NY), Justin Ripley (NY), Andrew
Kneisly (PA), Vai Notoa (HA), Kelly McGill (HA), Salesi Tongamoa (GA),
Tala Esera (HA), Dusten Umeda (HA), Ian Elliott (NY), Mosese Uitalia
(HA)*, Leonard Peters (HA), Anthony Sunia (HA)*

*denotes shadow reserve

Coach - Marcus Vassilakopoulos
Assistant Coach/Manager - David Niu

“Plate Up Niu Valley” a major fundraising event for Niu the Valley Middle School

Mahalo to the KITV morning show for supporting “Plate Up Niu Valley” a major fundraising event for Niu the Valley Middle School, organized by parents

Where Hawaii’s top chefs donate their time and expertise to mentor 48 interested students, and bring awareness and knowledge in the food industry. Hosted at the Hyatt, FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012 6:00pm

Chef Ronnie has already had the students from his team over to Tiki's to learn about the dish he is featuring.

More info at http://www.friendsofniuvalley.com/

NFL Player Davone Bess "ROUTE" Fundraiser Pro-Bowl Party Kick off at Tiki's Bar & Grill

Tiki’s Grill & Bar in Waikiki joined wide receiver Davone Bess of the Miami Dolphins  in hosting a Pro-Bowl Kick off party. Live music by "Canoes for Rent", a heavy pupu buffet, silent and live auction items, all to benefit The Bess Route Foundation. Past University of Hawaii Warrior Football teammates Ryan Grice-Mullen, Chad Owens, Colt Brennan and other NFL players were on hand to help host the party and sign autographs.

Website: http://www.davonebess.com/

The Bess Route Foundation has come to fruition through a simple belief that hard work breeds success in many aspects of life. Through Davone's devotion to seeing the good in every human being we are committed to bringing quality events, information and training to people in the community who lack the sufficient resources to do so. By the people and for the people our number one goal is to always create a positive atmosphere for our young to learn because with every worthless word, we, as a nation get further away from our goal to evolve as better human beings.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheBessRoute

Twitter: @davonebess


More Photos from Honolulu Pulse 

More Photos from Devon's Facebook page

Small list of items for the silent and live auction:
1) Shane Victorino Auto Authentic Phillies Home Jersey Size 48 Donated by Shane Victorino Foundation*
2) Kealoha Pilares Auto 16x20 UH Photograph Framed
3) Kealoha Pilares Auto 16x20 Carolina Panthers Rookie Year Photograph Framed
4) Framed Manny Pacquiao 20x30 Unsigned Official MP Boxing Photograph
5) 2009 Dolphins vs Carolina Panthers Game Used Ball Presented To Davone Bess for his outstanding play; Signed and inscribed by Davone Bess*
6) Game Used Davone Bess Cleats from 2009 Season*
7) Signed 20x30 Davone Bess UH Photograph Framed
8) Signed 20x30 Davone Bess UH Field View Photograph Framed
9) Framed Manti Te'o 16x20 Photograph Unsigned
10) Signed 16x20 Davone Bess Dolphins Photograph Framed
11) Signed Colt Brennan Sugar Bowl 20x30 Photograph Framed
12) Legendary Surfer Laird Hamilton Signed Historic Teahupoo 8x10 Framed Photo
13) Rare Game Used University of Hawaii Game Used 2004 Alternate Green Jersey
14) Playboy Golf Accessory Package
15) Vintage 1980's University of Hawaii Road Game Used Jersey
16) 2005 Infamous Silver Numbered University of Hawaii Game Used Lafaele Jersey
17) 2004 Game Used Home Black University of Hawaii Brad Kalilimoku Freshman Jersey
18) Vince Carter Signed North Carolina Tar Heels Authentic Jersey
19) Michael Jordan 20x30 LeRoy Neiman Framed Image
Jason Rivers Game Used 2006 Hawaii Bowl Jersey
Jason Rivers Game Used Silver Sugar Bowl Helmet
Jason Rivers Game Alternate Game Issued Green Nike Jersey
Greg Salas White Signed Rams Jersey
3 pairs Davone Signed game used Gloves from Rookie year (will be separate auctions)
1 pair Davone Signed game used UH gloves 2007 season
All signed helmets:
Jim Brown
Gayle Sayers
Larry Czonka
Emmitt Smith
Steve Young
49er Multi Signed 4 Players

Waikīkī aerial fireworks welcome start of 2012

Waikīkī aerial fireworks welcome start of 2012

The members of the Waikīkī Improvement Association once again will sponsor the aerial extravaganza at Waikīkī Beach, welcoming the start of 2012! From a barge just off Waikīkī Beach, one announcement salute will be fired one minute before midnight. This is the signal for everyone to tune their radios to KCCN, FM100 and direct their attention toward the ocean. A ten second

countdown will end with a rousing rapid-fire New Year’s fireworks crescendo at the stroke of midnight to a jazzy version of Auld Lang Syne. This will segue into “Spread a little Aloha”, from Mana‘o Company followed by Party Rock Anthem and Edge of Glory. The show will continue for another ten minutes, highlighting artists Cecilio and Kapono, Pitbull Ft, Ne-Yo, Afrojack and Nayer, JLo, and Adele.

The display will include the finest and most unique fireworks ever seen in Hawai‘i with palm trees, rings, strobes, sparkling fans, colorful falling leaves, a brocade willow scene, and brilliant flash salutes among the special effects. And of course, it will end with the famous Grucci Grand Finale. In all, an excess of 1,800 shells will be fired during the show.

"Over one hundred thousand kama‘āina and visitors will view this extravaganza, which will be visible all along Waikīkī Beach," said Rick Egged, Waikīkī Improvement Association president. "It will be a show worthy of our world class destination, and also symbolizes WIA members practicing the spirit of lōkahi as they have all come together to make this event possible.”

Grucci’s of New York will for the 7th consecutive year produce their state-of-the-art style fireworks for the Waikīkī Beach celebration. They are based in Brookhaven, NY and Waianae, Hawai‘i, will be conducting New Year’s Eve shows this year in Las Vegas, Dubai, the Maldives as well as this spectacular show in Waikīkī.

A number of leading Waikīkī businesses have recognized the guest and destination value of sponsoring this annual event including:

Halekulani Hotel Sheraton Hotels, Waikiki

ABC Stores Aqua Hotels & Resorts Aston Hotels and Resorts Bank of Hawaii First Hawaiian Bank Hale Koa Hotel Hawaii Prince Hotel Hilton Waikiki Beach Hotel Hyatt Regency Waikiki Beach International Market Place Luxury Row Pacific Beach Hotel Outrigger Enterprises Royal Hawaiian Center / Festivals Cos Securitas Security Services, USA Star Protection Agency Tiki’s Grill & Bar Trump International Hotel Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort Waikiki Shopping Plaza