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

Hawaii born beef returns to islands

Hawaii Ranchers Natural Beef made its Oahu debut by hosting a tasting event at Tiki's Grill & Bar in Waikiki. A top quality beef product originating in Hawaii, finished at mainland feed lots and brought back to the islands.In this innovative program, beef cattle born in Hawaii on island ranches throughout the state will be shipped to Country Natural Beef (CNB) in Boardman, Oregon where they will graze on pasture in designated areas, separate from other cattle in CNB's program.

The beef cattle, still owned by Hawaii ranchers, will graze on natural grasses in large pastures for 14 to 18 months. Three months before harvest, the beef cattle feed on cooked potatoes, hay, corn and a vitamin mineral supplement. All feedstuffs are vegetarian and the beef cattle are never administered antibiotics or growth stimulating hormones. Finished beef cattle will be processed and fabricated by AB Foods, Toppenish, Washington, and shipped back to Hawaii for distribution by HFM Foodservice.

Tiki's Grill & Bar Exec. Chef Ronnie Nasuti created a special all beef 7 course menu for the event!

"While this program involves many companies and many steps in the process, the resulting Hawaii Ranchers Natural Beef product will be consistent in quality and available throughout the year," said Sara Moore, president of the Hawaii Cattle Producers Cooperative Association (HCPCA) which is spearheading this project.

 
 "CNB meat is on the lean side, reaching USDA grades of "high select" and "low choice" with consistent quality. Our goal is to provide Hawaii consumers with good quality meat that originate on island ranches. This program will help us sustain ranching in the islands," said Moore, who is also the manager for Kealia Ranch on Hawaii Island.

HCPCA and its Hawaii Ranchers brand represents 50 ranches in the state of Hawaii that have more than half of the state's breeding cows and bred heifers on 455,000 acres of grazing lands. A dozen of these ranches belong to Country Natural Beef, a beef marketing cooperative that allow family ranchers to own and control their beef from birth to plate.

Country Natural Beef sells and distributes its members' products to restaurants and supermarkets such as New Seasons Market and Burgerville in Portland, Oregon, Puget Consumer Co-ops in Seattle and Whole Foods. 

HFM Foodservice headquartered in Honolulu is the distributor for the Hawaii Ranchers Natural Beef.

Guest Recommendation for Wedding Party Venue. Do you use linkedin.com?

Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, Expert

“Having traveled to Hawaii only once, I was nevertheless able to sample a number of restaurant/bar venues throughout Honolulu. That said, one of my very favorites was the Tiki Bar and Grill. Located on the upper level, the views were fantastic! The food (especially the Macadamia Nut Encrusted Mahi Mahi makes my mouth water even today) was elegantly and expertly prepared.

The lounge area was comfortable and fun. This was my daughter's wedding dinner which was planned from 4000 miles away and I wasn't sure what to expect. Why did I even worry! Mike and his staff were amazing which resulted in a perfect evening of celebration. All details were covered. Well organized, the entire event was flawless due to the expertise and professionalism of Mike and his team. Even today, I remain on the mailing list because someday I'll go back to Hawaii and my first stop will be to say hello to Mike and the Tiki Bar and Grill. You should too - especially if you're planning a night to remember.”

Big Mahalo to Mike Talor and his family for the very nice comments and hosting their party at Tiki's Grill & Bar.

Hawaii International Film Festival 2006 (Video)

This was a great party, we helped co-host back in 2006. This was when smoking was still legal in restaurants. The band hut is also not built yet.

Hawaii International Film Festival 2006: Day 4 (10/22)- The Filmmakers Meet and Greet Party at Tiki's Bar and Grill in Waikiki. Guests included Cinematographer Matthew Libatique ( Requiem For a Dream/Inside Man/The Fountain/Iron Man), Actor Kal Penn (Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle/Van Wilder 2: Rise of the Taj), Matt Dentler (Producer of the SXSW Film Festival), Elvis Mitchell (Film Critic for The New York Times) and Director Ham Tran (Journey from the Fall).

Hawaiian Music Coconut Club Sunset

Hawaiian Music Coconut Club Sunset This was a private party hosted in the Coconut Club with sunset and ocean views 21 floors above Waikiki Beach. Sonny Kapu group was the Hawaiian entertainment.

This was a 50 year anniversary party with a vow renewal. The conch shell blowing can be heard calling this special event to a start. Four (6 foot) tables were used to create the layout for this party. Teal table clothes and gold charger plates, tea lights and fresh orchids, rope lighting were part of the extra decor package ordered. Coconut Club, Tiki's Grill & Bar, Waikiki, Wedding, Hawaiian Music, Sonny Kapu, Video, Beach, Ocean Views, Sunset, Large Party