Just Scrap - Robert's Big Fight

This past weekend my brother Robert was billed to fight at the BJ Penn sponsored "Just Scrap" amateur MMA event in Hilo on the Big Island.  My Dad and I flew down to the Big Island to support and watch my brother give or take a beating.

The flight to Hilo my Dad claims was a NDE.  About 8 minutes out of Honolulu our planes engines seem to cut out, or at least power way down.  As soon as the engines go quiet, the plane makes a hard banking turn to the right, back towards Honolulu, and we start dropping altitude, fast.  A moment later the pilot gets on the intercom and informs us that there is a mechanical problem with the plane and we need to head back to Honolulu, but it's nothing we should be worried about.  Yeah right!  The pilot makes a beeline back to HNL.  The pilot doesn't take the normal approach out over the west side of O`ahu before circling back to HNL.  Nope, we head straight for the airport and make a sharp right hand turn just in time to land, very fast, at HNL.  Waiting for us on the tarmac are three firetrucks, light blazing!  We taxi for about 20 minutes, before a jetway is freed up.  Once at the terminal, we're informed that we are taking another plane to Hilo.  I notice the pilot doesn't come with us on our new plane.

Our "problem" plane on the left, and the new bird on the right.

The second flight to Hilo was uneventful, odds were greatly stacked against us of another inflight problem, that was comforting. But it meant we were 2 hours behind schedule...ugh.

we went straight to the Sangha Center (Hilo Civic). They had it all decked out for some MMA "action".

Robert and Dad

Robert wasn't scheduled until after intermission.  So that meant having to watch eight fights before Robert stepped into the caged ring.

There were some interesting fights, and plenty of interesting spectators.

Notice the huge knot over the guys eye.

Male muffin top.

Dad watching the action.

Nicky, waiting to get drunk...or more drunk.

After intermission, Robert's big fight was up!

Robert did pretty good, but in the end lost in a judges decision after going to an extended third round.

Was a good fight. Both got beaten up pretty good. Thought Rob was going to win, but that's the way she goes...

Watch the video here:

First Round:


Third Round:


Another video (low quality) of the whole fight:


Rest of the pictures:

Mariner's Ridge

Update:  The pricks at Kamehameha Schools have closed public access to the trail.  A fence is now erected at the trailhead and residents have been instructed to call the cops on members of the public who access the trail.

Sommer was working, and no one was able to come hiking with me, so I went on a short hike up Mariners Ridge in Hawaii Kai.

It's short, and moderately steep ridge at the end of Kaluanui Road on...well, Mariners Ridge.

View Larger Map

The trail starts high on the ridge and offers some nice views of Hawaii Kai.

Within 45 minutes you near the top and the trail levels off a bit.

Before you know it...you're at the top.

The ridge continues up to Pu`u O Kona...

...or down to Kamehame Ridge and Makapu`u.

The views extend over Waimanalo and Bellows, into Kailua and Olomana.

Had a couple of guys heading up the ridge, presumably to Pu`u O Kona or Kuli`ou`ou.

Watched the two make their way up the summit ridge before the clouds rolled in and headed back down the ridge.

Rest of the set here.

Lazy Saturday

I had planned on "hiking" out to the Makapu`u tidepools on Saturday and swimming in the cool waters on the outskirts of Makapu`u point...but everyone bailed on me and Sommer. I then wanted to check out Hamama Falls in Kahalu`u. But Sommer's foot was acting up and we couldn't do that, either... So, we decided to have a lazy Saturday and go for a drive and take in some of the sights around our beautiful island.

We first went to Spitting Cave in Portlock. The waves were pretty big due to a nice south swell. No one was jumping, the landing zone and coast was too big today.

Sommer was enjoying the view.

The cave was spitting some mean sea spray.

We then headed over to Halona (the Blowhole) and the Halona Cove scenic point (big picture at the top).

Of course this beach is famous as the location for the make out scene in the 1953 movie From Here To Eternity (watch the scene here).

We then headed over to Sandy Beach, and spent the rest of the morning watching the body boarders attack the head high shore break.

Not gonna make it...

Didn't make it.

Some kid who tried to sit out this wave...

Didn't work out so good for him.

Didn't make it.

Skim boarder.

Another one gonna eat it.

I guess he didn't see the sign.

Rest of the pics:
- Spitting Cave
- Halona - Blow Hole
- Sandy's