Jerome Williams – Spreading Aloha, One Pitch at a Time

When you see Major League pitcher Jerome Williams for the first time, you see a big, strong man with hands the size of a grizzly bear. At 6’3″ and 240 lbs, you know for sure that he’s an athlete, and was likely “bred” somewhere in the Midwest.

And then he opens his mouth.

Bruddah’s first words to me were in pidgin. I loved it. And as we got to talking, his humble and down to earth nature made me feel right at home as if we grew up together back in the day. Just choke Aloha. The big grizzly bear had suddenly turned into a soft teddy bear. 😛

Jerome Williams and author Edward Sugimoto

Williams was born and raised in Waipahu Hawaii. As a Marauder standout, he was selected, at the tender age of 17, by the San Francisco Giants as the 39th overall pick in the first round of the 1999 Major League Baseball draft. By 21, he made his big league debut – a tough loss against the Philadelphia Phillies – but closed out the year with 88 strikeouts, a 3.30 ERA and winning 7-5 record.

His baseball career has taken him all over the league with stints with the Giants, Chicago Cubs and Washington Nationals, as well as all over the world, playing in leagues as far away as Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Taiwan. His most recent gig with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim was cut short this past off season when the Angels decided not to tender his contract, which actually now opens the door to sign on as a full time starter (Williams’ preference) for a number of interested teams vying for his attention.

I recently caught up with Williams during his recent trip back home to Hawaii.

 

Jerome Williams Interview

 

[Edward Sugimoto] First of all Happy (32nd) Birthday! (Jerome’s birthday is on 12/4/81)

[Jerome Williams] Thank you man, thank you.

[Edward Sugimoto] Did you do anything fun for your birthday?

[Jerome Williams] Well, not yet…

[Edward Sugimoto] Still early?

[Jerome Williams] Still early in the morning. Actually, I goin go see my mom. My mom stay up in um, down Kaneohe side (Hawaiian Memorial Park Mortuary). I’m gonna see my mom today. I always do that every year on my birthday. Go see my mother.

[Edward Sugimoto] Not many people know this, but you’re part Hawaiian.

[Jerome Williams] Yeah.

[Edward Sugimoto] (What’s) Your favorite Hawaiian word?

[Jerome Williams] Da kine (laughs).

Jerome Williams during our interview (Photo Credit: Arthur Betts IV)

[Edward Sugimoto] (laughs) That’s a good one. And what about your favorite phrase in pidgin?

[Jerome Williams] It’s explicit so I cannot say. Nah, most of my friends we always talk and there’s a lot of explicit stuff in it, but sometimes I get to a point where I use it a lot up in the mainland and guys don’t understand so I try not to say nothing.

[Edward Sugimoto] You can actually use it!

[Jerome Williams] I can’t actually use it at all. But like I said, it’s explicit so I can’t really say on air.

[Edward Sugimoto] No worries, no worries. In some what bittersweet news, the Angels decided not to tender your contract yesterday, making you a free agent. Your agent Larry O’Brien has been quoted though as saying that it could be a blessing in disguise because you could start for a number of other teams. What are your current thoughts on that and have you given any thought to a team you might want to pitch for?

[Jerome Williams] Um, you know, I think it’s a good thing for me. The years I was with the Angels I was a swing man. I was in the bullpen and starting, but you know, I really wanted to stay with the Angels. I just bought a home there. Like how you said, it is bittersweet. I felt like I had a new beginning with them and you know right now it’s just a waiting process. I’m a free agent now. There’s a lot of teams I really want to go to. First of all, I want to stay on the west coast. Closer to home, closer to my family. Also too, I want to be at a place where I can have spring training in Arizona (Cactus League). I really don’t like to go all the way down to Florida (Grapefruit League). It’s a long haul all the way out there and the travel for the games and all that stuff. Your closest trip is two hours. That’s the longest trip in Arizona. I just want to try and be closer to Arizona and closer to home.

[Edward Sugimoto] You’ve had a lot of twists and turns in your baseball career taking you all over the world (including stints in Puerto Rico and Taiwan). At any point, did you ever feel like giving up?

[Jerome Williams] Um, I want to say probably in 2008. 2007 I was with the Nationals and in 2008 I couldn’t find a job. I couldn’t find a job anywhere so I played independent ball. And the year I played independent ball, I thought I wasn’t going to make it back at all. But my wife and kids and my family, they always supported me so that year I got picked up and then I went to Puerto Rico to play winter ball. I got picked up by Oakland and then that next year I went to Taiwan. And then I went up and down playing from like I said Taiwan, Puerto Rico for winter ball, Venezuela for winter ball, Mexico for winter ball, so you know, I’ve been all over the place to try and get back to where I needed to be and fortunately, I got picked up by the Angels when I was in Independent ball in 2011.

[Edward Sugimoto] It was a good thing you didn’t give up because you had somewhat of a renaissance in your career.

[Jerome Williams] Exactly. All that hard work, everything that I’ve been through, it made me stronger.

[Edward Sugimoto] For those who don’t know, you wear a pink glove when you pitch. Can you talk a little bit about what that represents to you?

[Jerome Williams] When I first got drafted, my mom was alive. And then in 2001 my mom passed away from breast cancer so at that time I wanted to honor her and wear a puka shell necklace cause she actually gave it to me. But as the years went on, I got bigger and the necklace got smaller (smiles), so it broke. But in 2010 when I was in Taiwan, I was on a trip up there and I was real flashy with gloves out there. They’re real flashy with it. And the first time I went by a store, I seen a pink glove and I told myself I was going to get one. So that next year, 2011 would’ve been 10 years (since the passing of his mom) so I just wanted to pay tribute to my mom so I wore a pink glove. That’s what the pink glove represents it represents my mother who passed away with breast cancer. I wear it every day on the mound. The first glove I had that I brought to the big leagues, I still have it. I don’t use it anymore because I got another contract with Woodz. They gave me a contract (smiles). I’m the first non-Taiwanese player to (be) sponsor(ed) (wearing) their gloves in the major leagues so I’m pretty thankful for that. Just by using the pink glove it shows awareness of breast cancer. I know some people know that the MLB, they do breast cancer days. Breast Cancer day is every day for me.

[Edward Sugimoto] Do you think you’re going to start a trend with other pitchers?

[Jerome Williams] Well, if that trend starts, I’m the original guy to do it so hopefully I can get recognized for that first, and then people can do it.

[Edward Sugimoto] Your name, your moniker on Twitter and Instagram is @pinkpuka57. You mentioned the glove and the puka shell… Is that kinda where it came from?

[Jerome Williams] That’s how it came about. In the beginning when I first got called up, like I said, I wore the puka shell necklace and a couple of the guys on the team used to call me, that used to be my nickname is “puka” so that’s how they knew me as. And then once I had the pink glove and everything and then my number (57), then I was like you know what, I might as well put all those three together and make it just one.

Jerome Williams during our interview (Photo Credit: Arthur Betts IV)

[Edward Sugimoto] What is your typical day like back here in the islands?

[Jerome Williams] It depends. I know my wife and kids, they’ve been here a lot, so we try and hit up some places to go eat. The stuff that we don’t have up in California. The first day I arrived, I went straight to Jackie’s Diner in Waimalu. And then, last night, I took my wife to Shiro’s (Saimin Haven) in Ewa. The other day I went to Highway Inn. Highway Inn, I used to live right across the street from there. So we just try to hit up the places that we know we can’t get out in California and also too, just try to spend time with family and friends. Usually on the weekends and even during the week, friends, they come to the house, or I actually go to them. They play softball at Waipahu Rec Center or at CORPs. They ask me sometimes if I want to go play with them, and I play with them! I actually try and give back to the guys that actually gave back to me. That’s the true friends that I want to see. That’s the true friends that I want to hang out with. Sometimes I’ll go and see one of my good friends Bubba from Rebel Souljahz. They were born and raised in Waipahu and I remember when they were little kids. I always try and support them. The other night, I went to Republik to support Maoli and Jordan T. So I met those guys too. You know I just want to try and support anybody that’s from Hawaii that’s doing well and also too my family and friends.

[Edward Sugimoto] What are your favorite non baseball related hobbies?

[Jerome Williams] For some odd reason, everybody looks at me and they don’t think electronics, but I’m an electronic freak. Right now, I have all of my kids all on the electronics. My four year old knows how to use an iPad from left to right. And, actually, he knows how to do Minecraft. I don’t even know how to do Minecraft! So I got my kids doing Minecraft, I love computers, I love music. I like anything with any electronical type of things. Sometimes I like to do my car, like speakers, integrate my iPod into it so I’m really big into that. And then also too I like to play basketball but I can’t play basketball because I’m under contract. And my wife is like you don’t need to play basketball right now because you’re a free agent and if you get hurt then, next thing you know, you can’t play. I’m kinda pissed off about that. That’s the type of cardio I like to do, but I know how basketball is here, especially outside, and especially of what I am, people would probably want to try and hurt me.

[Edward Sugimoto] You mentioned your iPod. What’s on your iPod right now… Some of your favorites?

[Jerome Williams] It goes from electronics to dub step to reggae to Hawaiian music, hip hop, r & b, rock, country, I mean everything. I just looked at my computer because I put a 1 terabyte hard drive inside my computer and right now, on my iTunes, I have 316 gigs of music. So it’s equivalent to almost 55,000 songs. I have all that on top my computer and I showed my dad and my dad was like “Why the hell do you need all that music? You don’t even listen to it.” And I was like “No, trust me, I’ll listen to it.” But it’s cool to have those types of music because maybe one day, you want to try and browse through it and you’ll be like “Oh dang I used to listen to that when I was in high school.”

[Edward Sugimoto] Yeah, brings back memories.

[Jerome Williams] Yup.

[Edward Sugimoto] You mentioned Jordan T… Any other favorite Hawaiian bands?

[Jerome Williams] You know Jordan T, Maoli. Who else you got? Iration, of course Rebel (Souljahz). Some of the newer stuff, I really don’t listen to cause we don’t have that access up in the mainland but when I do come down, I always try and help them out, I always try and listen to it. I’m really an old school guy with the Hawaiian music. I can go back to Natty Vibes (Natural Vibrations), go down to Kapena, Hui Ohana. Hui Ohana is one of my favorites because that’s what my mom used to dance to. She used to dance hula and there’s one song I always listen to when I feel down and out. It was a song that my mom used to dance to called Sweet Lei Mokihana. Actually I listened to that song on my first win in the major leagues after I came out of the game because it soothes me and it always reminds me of my mother.

[Edward Sugimoto] You are one of only a handful of Hawaii bred baseball players in the Major Leagues so the fraternity is pretty tight I’m assuming. How often do you get to chat with people like Vic (Shane Victorino), Brandon League, and Kolten Wong, etc.?

[Jerome Williams] It’s kinda hard to talk to Brandon and Kolten because they were in the National League at that time, and I played Vic twice a year, I played him one time in Boston and one time at home in Anaheim, but whenever I get the chance, I always want to try and reach out to them. When Kurt (Suzuki) and Kila (Ka’aihue) was in Oakland, I talked to them almost every time because they’re in the same division. It’s a funny story because every time I talk to them pidgin comes out. So one of the guys on the team, LaTroy Hawkins, actually came up to me and was like “Jerome, are you from Hawaii?” and I’m like “Yes.” and he was like “Well, I want you to talk to Kila and Kurt right now. I want you to talk to them right now just like how you talk back at home.” OK, so we started talking and he kinda actually stopped me. And he was like “Jerome, I don’t understand what you said, but from what you did say, I know you’re from Hawaii.” I’m like, “OK, I told you guys that!” Because everybody thinks you know I’m black, but they don’t believe that I’m from Hawaii. I was born and raised here, born and raised in Waipahu, everybody don’t believe that. But getting back to what you said about all the guys, yeah, it’s a tight fraternity and we always want to try and see each other or try and talk to each other or give each other information. I don’t know if you guys were reading things on Twitter when we had the World Series. You never found that. That’s the first time ever you had two Hawaii guys in the World Series playing against each other. I was pulling for Vic because me and Vic, we got drafted with each other and I knew him for a long time. Kolten…

[Edward Sugimoto] Didn’t play that much anyway…

[Jerome Williams] Well he did play a couple times, a couple times he did good and the one time he did bad, but you know what. At least he had the opportunity to get there. I mean, I never got an opportunity to get there. I’ve been playing for, since I was like what, my first year was in ’03. I’m happy for them getting there and especially for Kolten. He’s gonna have the opportunity to play second (base) now for the Cardinals. Hopefully he can shine and do well too.

[Edward Sugimoto] And finally, do you have a word for your fans out there?

[Jerome Williams] Awww man, fans. Shoot. I know you guys follow me on Twitter and Instagram @pinkpuka57. Thanks for all the support you have done for me. I always try and give back to Hawaii any way I can and this is one of the ways I want to give back, saying thank you to you guys. It’s been a long road for me and I know you guys know my story. Every time I come back I always want to try and do something for Hawaii. This is my way of saying thank you. Thank you to everybody and um, just keep supporting me. Like I said, follow me on Instagram and Twitter @pinkpuka57. Aloha. Thank you.

Jerome Williams and photographer/videographer Arthur Betts IV

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Sam Sato’s – Dry Mein & More!

So this review of the legendary Sam Sato’s on Maui is more than a few years delayed. My bad. I guess it’s shmall kine hahd for this Oahu boy to get around these days, especially with the little one around. But trust… It’s worth the wait! 🙂

Sam Sato’s is a pseudo hole-in-the-wall type eatery, located in Wailuku Maui, in the same “historical” lineage of the Hamura’s Saimins (Kauai), Nori’s Saimin & Snacks (Big Island) and Shiro’s Saimin Havens (Oahu) of the world.

Sam Sato’s sign

On any given day, there will usually always be a wait to get in. Be prepared.

The wait outside Sam Sato’s

Don’t forget to sign in on their cute, self-waitlist system: a pen and a pad.

The waiting list system at Sam Sato’s

Once you hit the lottery and your name gets called, you are seated inside, which has all the charm and nostalgia of yesteryear including palaka style window trimmings, old school paintings, and black & white photos from back in the day.

Inside Sam Sato’s

You’ll even find posters/photos signed by local celebrities like Na Leo, Frank DeLima, & Maui natives Ekolu, as well as our two Hawaii-born living legends BJ Penn & Shane Victorino (also a Maui boy).

Signed photos from Shane Victorino and BJ Penn

Sam Sato’s has a variety of popular noodle dishes like their Saimins, Won Ton Meins and Chow Funs, but none are as popular as their Dry Noodles, endearingly referred to as Dry Mein, due to their lack of a traditional soup base.

Sam Sato’s Dry Noodles, aka Dry Mein

The noodles aren’t exactly dry-dry. In fact, the consistency and flavor almost reminds you of a fried saimin/noodle type dish. The kicker here is that the dish comes with a small bowl of a chicken based stock/broth, which you are supposed to drizzle on before every bite.

Sam Sato’s Dry Mein order with broth (S – $4.95, L – $5.75, Double – $7.25)

Like many of the other old school saimin shops, Sam Sato’s is also known for their BBQ sticks. My buddy Joel, a Maui native, ordered a couple BBQ Beef Sticks for good measure.

BBQ Beef Sticks from Sam Sato’s ($1.25 each)

Since he’s been here many times, Joel decided to forego the Dry Mein and feed his craving for Hamburger Steak, which he claims was also “Bomb.” Here’s a shot of our food.

BBQ Beef Sticks, Dry Mein and Hamburger Steak ($7) from Sam Sato’s

As if that weren’t enough, these buggahs also make some of the most ono kine manjus & turnovers evaaaar!

Partial Manju display at Sam Sato’s

Pictured here is the Azuki Bean Manju, with the Coconut, Peach and Apple Turnovers. They also had a Lima Bean Manju along with the Pineapple-Coconut, Pineapple-Peach, and Blueberry Turnovers. I’m not really a sweets person, but bruddah ova hea went to town! For omiyage of course! 😉

Manju and Turnovers from Sam Sato’s

My favorite part was the “key” they stamped on every take out box so you knew exactly which turnover was what.

Turnover “key” stamped on take out box

Sam Sato’s is one of those “must-visits” whenever you are in Maui. Personally, I’m already trying to figure out when my next visit there will be. Likely not soon enough.

Sam Sato’s
1750 Wili Pa Loop
Wailuku, HI 96793 (map)
(808) 244-7124
Mon-Sat: 7am-2pm (meals), 7am-4pm (manju pick-up)

VH07V Gear The latest in Hawaii lifestyle apparel. Check it out!

Happy 2nd WWE `Ohana!

Sorry, I know some of y’all were looking forward to another Where In Hawaii game today, but I gotsta make a special announcement that trumps that for the time being.

It’s our birthday yo!

Das right! Today, we celebrate our 2nd year in existence. Yay to us!

I started to research all of the blogs I did in the last year and was gonna just link to all of the ones that got high comment counts, but there were simply too many like that to list. Muhahahahaha! Nah, nah, who am I kidding right? But really, we actually did have quite a few that did pretty well. Mahaloz to all of you for always joining in on the convos and making this a fun place for us to hang out. 🙂 Here are some of my faves (high comment count or not) that I remember:

* Happy Birthday to WWE-eeeeee! – last year’s berfday post.
* Survey Thursday – The Story Behind Your Nickname? – learned a lot about each other in this one.
* This Is How We Do: Bathrooms – where you learned about my mysophobia. LOL!
* Survey Thursday: Old School Joints – ahhh da memories!
* Fun Day Monday: Ask a BJ (Penn) – where y’all had the chance to axe your questions to UFC Fighter BJ Penn
* BJ Penn Answers Your Questions! [Video] – BJ responds to your questions
* Guest Blog: Is It Any Wonder? [NeedaHobby] – guest blogs out-performing me as usual. 😛
* Fun Day Monday: Ask a Shane (Victorino) – where y’all had the chance to axe your questions to Major League Baseball player Shane Victorino
* Q & A With Shane Victorino [Video] – Shane responds to your questions
* Fave Five Friday – Poke Locations – your responses jump started this obsessive poke quest I’m currently on.
* Are You Ready For Some (Fantasy) Football? – the announcement of the start of our first ever WWE Fantasy Football League. Props to inaugural champion: kuya.d!
* Ask Colbie Caillat Your Questions – where y’all had the chance to axe your questions to singer/songwriter Colbie Caillat
* Q & A With Colbie Caillat [Video] – Colbie responds to your questions
* What Would You Do for a Million Dollars? – some interesting answers hurr.
* Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – December 9, 2009 – this one hit 208 comments. Sure helped that the pic could’ve been anywhere in Hawaii. Haha!
* Photography at the Right Angle – Caption Contest (1 of 23) – kicked off the first of 23 photos. you can thank tita leerz for this one. 😛
* Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – February 3, 2010 – first time in WWE history (I think) to hit the 300s! 304 with this one! Woo hoo!
* Name Game – and then we hit 301 with this one on the very next post. awesomesauce!
* The Man Your Man Could Smell Like – I just like this commercial. Plus, in this one, I put out the request for guest bloggers.
* TheGrease and TheBus [Guest Blog by Chicken Grease] – 51 comments. Props Chicken Grease!
* I’m So Over It [Guest Blog by kuya.d] – 105 comments. Props kuya.d!
* Something like a Phenomenon [Guest Blog by JMAW] – 40 comments. Props JMAW!
* The Curse of the Murse [Guest Blog by frankie] – 43 comments. Props frankie!
* Where In Oregon is kako mochi? – March 17, 2010 [Guest Blog by kako mochi] – 36 comments. Props kako mochi!
* Online Dating Follies – from the Female Perspective [Guest Blog by tweetpeep22] – 26 comments. Props tweetpeep22!
* Online Dating Follies – from the Male Perspective [Guest Blog by S-Ticket] – 65 comments. Props S-Ticket!
* The Hawaii Visitor’s Survival Guide [Guest Blog by tita leerz] – 52 comments. Props tita leerz!
* Otanjoubi Omedetou Gozaimasu Kurosawa-sama! [Guest Blog by skycastles] – 68 comments. Props skycastles!
* Where In Hawaii is hemajang? – March 24, 2010 [Guest Blog by hemajang] – 68 comments. Props hemajang!
* Grab One, Leave One, and Get Reel… [Guest Blog by uncle jimmy] – 96 comments. Props uncle jimmy!
* Fun Day Monday: Storytelling Time! – 110 comments. Props to Rosette for contributing like 109 of them! 😉
* Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – April 7, 2010 – 143 comments for Kim Chee! 🙂
* Where In Hawaii is kuya.d? – April 14, 2010 – D’oh! Trumped by kuya.d‘s 211 comment post. 😛
* Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – April 21, 2010 – vague chinese restaurant mural helped to get 137 comments. 8)
* Fun Day Monday: You Know You’re NOT Local If… – follow up to last year’s “You Know You’re Local If…” post. 114 comments and counting…

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Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – April 28, 2010

OK, I won’t make it a boring post and end things there. Let’s combine this birthday celebration with a lil’ WIH action and turn this into the longest blog in Honolulu Advertiser history! LOL! AND… to celebrate our 2nd Anniversary, I’m doubling the points today! Woo hoo! See! Good thing you kept reading/scrolling aftah all yeah? 😛

Points for…
* Name of this establishment?: 2 points!
* Name of new establishment? (see hint below): 2 points!
* Google Maps Street View Link: 2 points!

Big ups to last week‘s winnahz rayboyjr, Coconut Willy and Takeshi!

Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – April 28, 2010

Hint: On the birth date of WWE (04/28/08), I was here at this location (like how I tie everything together? 😛 ). I know this hint doesn’t really help you (unless you were with me on this occasion), but perhaps this hint next will?: “No longer open.”

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Da “Where In Hawaii” Winnahz Circle!

• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 21, 2010: rayboyjr – 2 points (Name: Laie Chop Suey), rayboyjr – 1/2 point (Where: Laie), Coconut Willy – 2 points (Dish: Dinner Plate), Takeshi – 1 point (Google Street View link)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto kuda.d – April 14, 2010: Takeshi – 1 (Where: Sangha Hall), onecupcoffee – 1/2 point (Who: Wailoa Razorbacks pop Warner football), Coconut Willy – 1 point (How much: $6), tita leerz – 3 points (Bonus: Fried Kole)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 7, 2010: Takeshi – 1 (Name of Location: New Elim), Coconut Willy – 1/2 point (General Location : Koreamoku Keeaumoku), rayboyjr, Coconut Willy, HNL2LAS, – 1 point each (Date photo taken?: July 21, 2007)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 31, 2010: rayboyjr – 1 (Name of Location: Tamashiro Market), NaPueo – 1 point (Name of object: Boat), Takeshi – 1 point (Why was I dea?: For my Poke Paradise series)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto hemajang – March 24, 2010: Coconut Willy – 1 (Name of Location: Jane’s Fountain in Liliha), S-Ticket – 1 point (Name of Enka Singer: Hibari Misora), kuya.d – 1/2 point (Object above cash register: Bull Horns)
• Where In Hawaii Oregon Is Edward Sugimoto kako mochi – March 17, 2010: Coconut Willy – 1 (Name of City: Portland), Coconut Willy – 1 point (Name of nearby river: Williamette), J.P. and Coconut Willy – 1/2 point (Type of animal on sign: deer/reindeer)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 10, 2010: Takeshi – 1 (Name of Location: Pine Tree Cafe), t-roy – 1/2 point (General Location: Kona), Coconut Willy – 1 point (Price of dish: $5.99)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 3, 2010: Takeshi – 1 (Exact Name of Location: Oahu Country Club), Takeshi – 1/2 point (General Location: Nuuanu), Takeshi – 1 point (Google Maps Street View link)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 24, 2010: Coconut Willy – 1 (General Location: Waikiki/Kapahulu), Coconut Willy – 1/2 point (x4), and rayboyjr – 1/2 point (Cross Streets: Kapahulu, Ala Wai, Paki, Leahi, Hollinger), Takeshi – 2 points (Google Maps Street View link)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 17, 2010: rayboyjr – 1 (Name of Place: Hawaii Prince Hotel), bB – 1/2 point (Name of Location: Waikiki), Takeshi – 1 point (Why wuz I dea?: Wedding)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 10, 2010: NaPueo – 1 ((General) Name of Business: St.-Germain Bakery), NaPueo – 1/2 point ((General) Name of Location: Beretania St.), rayboyjr – 2 points ((Exact) Name of Location (based on web site’s description): Beretania Times Arcade), Rosey – 2 points (Mushy Valentine’s Love Story: guy has 50 cents…)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 3, 2010: BananaFysh – 1 (Name of Restaurant: Sansei), Takeshi – 1/2 point (Name of Location: Waikiki), kuya.d – 1/2 point (Name of Island: Oahu), tita leerz – 2 points (Timestamp of Photo: 7:41PM), rayboyjr – 3 points (Most Comments: 102!)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 27, 2010: snow – 1 (Name of Beach: Waikiki Beach (Kuhio)), rayboyjr – 1 point (Name of Island: Oahu), rayboyjr – 1 point, Scott – 1 point, and tita leerz – 1 point (Three Funniest Captions: “Buns and a Weenie”, “Dude, I am so missing Hawaii right now!”, and “I wonder, do GUYS ever wanna stick your face in that like you wanna in boobs?”)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 20, 2010: Dave – 1 (Name of Establishment: Tsukiji Fish Market), rayboyjr – 2 points (Game: “first plug up each urinal … 3 guys, with six-pack of beer in hand … first one to guzzle down the beer and fill up the urinal wins … disqualified if you cannot aim straight and the stream hits da floor!!!”)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 13, 2010: BananaFysh – 1 (Name of General Location: Chinatown), kuya.d – 1 (Name of Specific Location: Maunakea Marketplace), Coconut Willy and rayboyjr – 1 point each and Takeshi – 2 points (Guess what the sign said: “White Headless Shrimp – $4.95”)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 6, 2010: Takeshi – 1 (Name of Business: Foodland), Coconut Willy – 1 (Location of Business: Market City), kuya.d, rayboyjr, and tita leerz – 1 point each and Rosette – bonus 0.5 point (Top 3 Captions: “Ed Sugimoto with a tan”, “Tiger ain’t got nothin’ on me!”, “Boobs, it ain’t just for women” and Rosey’s “YES ADD an inch to my chest…!” was too good to pass up!), Takeshi, David In Oregon, BananaFysh, rayboyjr, kuya.d, and Coconut Willy – 1 point each (Names of Celebs: Tosca Reno, Amanda Bynes, Pink, Rihanna, Joel Stubbs, Kim Dolan-Leto)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 23, 2009: kuya.d – 1 (General Location: Ward area), kuya.d – 1 (Closest Business: Kaka`ako Kitchen), Takeshi – 3 (Name of closest cross streets: Auahi/Kamakee/Ala Moana)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 16, 2009: kuya.d (Toshi’s Delicatessen, Kalihi, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 9, 2009: rayboyjr and kuya.d – 0.5 (Long’s Drugs), pink lady and kuya.d – 0.5 (Aiea, but technically Pearl City), tita leerz – 1 (“Hana….hana buttah….boogahz!”)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 2, 2009: pink lady (Miyako Restaurant, The New Otani Kaimana Beach Hotel, Waikiki, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 25, 2009: Coconut Willy and rayboyjr – 0.5 (Dole Park in Lanai City), rayboyjr – 1 (Lanai Airport), Coconut Willy and snow – 1 (Hulopo’e Beach at Manele Bay), snow – 1 (Lodge at Koele), kuya.d – 2 (Tanigawa Burgers from Canoes Lanai)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 18, 2009: M (Cafe Laufer, Kaimuki, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 4, 2009: NeedaHobby (Papalaua Beach Park, Lahaina, Maui, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto hemajang – October 28, 2009: MakiSushi (Sam & Syd’s Cafe, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 21, 2009: MakiSushi (Yohei Sushi Restaurant, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 14, 2009: NaPueo (Boulevard Saimin, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 7, 2009: NaPueo (Dole Cannery Building, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii San Francisco Is Edward Sugimoto – September 30, 2009: Coconut Willy and skycastles(Fisherman’s Wharf sign, Pier 39, Yerba Buena Gardens, Japan Town, Golden Gate Park, and Ghirardelli Square, San Francisco, CA)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 16, 2009: hemajang (Liliha Bakery, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 9, 2009: Takeshi (Black sand beach at Waianapanapa State Park, Hana, Maui, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 2, 2009: snow (Kyoto Ohsho, Ho`okipa Terrace, Ala Moana Shopping Center, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 26, 2009: carokun (Tantalus, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 19, 2009: mcat (Sunnyside, Wahiawa, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Philadelphia Is Edward Sugimoto – August 12, 2009: rayboyjr (Chickie’s & Pete’s, Geno’s Steaks, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Liberty Bell Center, Philadelphia, PA)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 5, 2009: Richie Marquez and Takeshi (Masa’s Cafeteria, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 29, 2009: Coconut Willy (Gulick Delicatessen, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 22, 2009: Takeshi (Mac 24/7, Waikiki, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Seattle Is Edward Sugimoto – July 15, 2009: YN (Post Alley, Behind Piroshky Piroshky at Pike Place Market, Seattle, WA)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 1, 2009: Coconut Willy (Kilauea Avenue near Kahala Mall, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 24, 2009: snow (Asia Manoa, Manoa, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 17, 2009: Coconut Willy (Queen Lili`uokalani Gardens, Hilo, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 10, 2009: Scott (Yard House, Waikiki, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 3, 2009: kuya.d (Hilo International Airport – ITO, Hilo, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 27, 2009: hemajang (Pearl City Industrial Park, Waihona Street, Pearl City, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 20, 2009: Syxx (Sugoi Bento & Catering, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 13, 2009: Syxx (Boba Loca, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 6, 2009: Marvo (Les Murakami Stadium, Honolulu, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 29, 2009: k15 (Shige’s Saimin Stand, Wahiawa, HI)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 22, 2009: getITon (Curry House Coco Ichibanya, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 15, 2009: Kage (Frank C. Judd Park on the corner of Kapiolani Boulevard and McCully Street, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 8, 2009: NeedaHobby (Honolulu International Airport, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – April 1, 2009: miLL-viLLe (Spaghetti Factory, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 25, 2009: snow (Zippy’s Restaurant, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 18, 2009: Takeshi (Little Seoul Korean Restaurant, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 11, 2009: jack (Mai Tai Bar, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – March 4, 2009: frankie (Coffee or Tea, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 25, 2009: skycastles (California Pizza Kitchen, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 18, 2009: Ynaku (Shokudo Restaurant, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – February 11, 2009: Paco (Mililani Restaurant, Mililani)
• Where In Hawaii Vegas Is Edward Sugimoto – February 4, 2009: Takeshi (Garden Court at the Main Street Station Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 28, 2009: Coconut Willy (Princeville Resort, Princeville, Kauai)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 21, 2009: Paco (Taiyo Ramen, Honolulu)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 14, 2009: Paco (Spaghettini, Haleiwa)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – January 7, 2009: Coconut Willy (Island Snow, Kailua)
• Where In Hawaii Japan Is Edward Sugimoto – December 17, 2008: Rodney (Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – December 10, 2008: HNL2LAS (International Marketplace)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 19, 2008: Coconut Willy with credit to che for the hints (Lanikuhonua)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 12, 2008: snow (Duke Kahanamoku Statue, Waikiki)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – November 5, 2008: snow (Big Kahuna’s Marketplace in the Waikiki Shopping Plaza)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 29, 2008: jr. (Waiola Store)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 22, 2008: Coconut Willy (Gina’s Bar-B-Q)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 15, 2008: HNL2LAS (Jurison’s Inn)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 8, 2008: jr. (Makapu`u Lighthouse Trail)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 1, 2008: HNL2LAS (Dole Plantation)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 24, 2008: teej (M Matsumoto Grocery Store or Matsumoto’s Shave Ice Sign)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 17, 2008: M (Tree Tunnel on Highway 520 (Maluhia Road) in Kauai)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 10, 2008: snow (Tasaka Guri Guri, Maui)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 3, 2008: M with props to Rodney (Laie Point State Wayside)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 27, 2008: nobody!, but dsosa was close (Camp Erdman)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 20, 2008: BarbieQ! (Old Koloa Town)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 6, 2008: kako mochi (Kincaid’s)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 30, 2008: ijiwarui (Dave & Buster’s)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 23, 2008: MoOgooGuypAN and Coconut Willy’s wifey (La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 27, 2008: GumbysHorse (White Plains Beach, Barber’s Point)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 19, 2008: nobody! (the mall fronting Kekaulike Market in Chinatown)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 7, 2008: nobody!, but 1dble was pretty dang close (Ward area, more specifically, right in front of the Starbucks/Big City Diner area)

Da Leadahboard!

• 24.0 – Coconut Willy
• 22.5 – Takeshi
• 21.0 – rayboyjr
• 11.0 – kuya.d
• 09.0 – snow
• 08.0 – tita leerz
• 04.5 – NaPueo
• 04.0 – HNL2LAS
• 03.0 – BananaFysh, M, Paco
• 02.5 – Rosette
• 02.0 – Scott, NeedaHobby, MakiSushi, hemajang, Syxx, jr.
• 01.5 – pink lady, skycastles
• 01.0 – S-Ticket, Dave, David In Oregon, carokun, mcat, YN, Marvo, k15, getITon, Kage, miLL-viLLe, jack, frankie, Ynaku, Rodney, teej, BarbieQ!, kako mochi, ijiwarui, GumbysHorse
• 00.5 – onecupcoffee, J.P., t-roy, bB, Coconut Willy’s wifey, MoOgooGuypAN

 Great Eights!
* rayboyjr

Heavenly Sevens!
* rayboyjr

Sexy Sixes!
* rayboyjr

Five Alive!
* kuya.d, rayboyjr

Quad Playaz!
* Takeshi, kuya.d, rayboyjr, Takeshi

Turkey Turkeys!
* Takeshi, kuya.d, rayboyjr, Coconut Willy

Back to Back Winnahz!
* Coconut Willy, Takeshi, rayboyjr, snow, Paco, Syxx, NaPueo, MakiSushi, pink lady, kuya.d, BananaFysh, tita leerz

—

Mahaloz to errryone for 2 years of wonderful memories. Here’s to (hopefully) another 2 more! Have a Happy Hump and Where In Hawaii Day y’all! 🙂

V for Victorino – A Chat With Hawaii’s All Star Shane Victorino

It’s no coincidence that the word Victory is in Shane Victorino’s name. Losing is not even in his vocabulary. As a gifted athlete growing up, he’s always been on the winning end in sports. As a 28 year old young adult, it’s no different. He was an integral member of the world champion Philadelphia Phillies last season, has won the Gold Glove award, and was recently named to the Major League All Star Game, the first positional player from Hawaii to be bestowed the honor. And to think… this is just the beginning!

Victorino actually started his athletic career almost out of necessity. As an extremely active child with ADHD, his parents enrolled him in sports to feed his energy and keep him engaged. The decision proved to be a good one as Shane went on to star at Maui’s St. Anthony High in 4 sports: football, soccer, track and baseball. And, although he was offered a full ride scholarship to the University of Hawaii for football and baseball, Shane got the blessing of his family and chose to pursue a career in baseball when the Los Angeles Dodgers came a callin’ in 1999.

After years of minor league ball, the San Diego Padres claimed him from the Dodgers in 2002 via the Rule 5 draft (“Major league teams must protect players on their 40-man rosters within three or four years of their original signing. Those left unprotected are available to other teams as Rule 5 picks.” – http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/columnists/askbarule5.html), where he actually saw some time in the bigs (36 games). Eventually, he was returned to the Padres (as part of Rule 5 stipulations), before being drafted again, via Rule 5, by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2004.

The losses of starters Bobby Abreu (trade) and Aaron Rowand (free agency) made room for Shane to display his skills in the outfield and ultimately earn a starting spot in 2007.

Info about Victorino from a Phillies display at Philadelphia Airport

During a recent home series against the Florida Marlins, I was able to catch up with our All Star from the islands about his personal life, his career and everything else in between. Enjoy!

Personal Life:

Edward Sugimoto) We’ll start off with an easy one: What’s a typical day in the life of Shane Victorino in Maui?

Shane Victorino) In Maui? Typical day in the life of Shane Victorino in Maui? Woo. You know what? That probably would’ve been just getting up in the morning, getting up to the beautiful weather, of course there in Hawaii, our beautiful island of Maui, and just spending time with the family. That would be now, but back when I was a kid, it was probably, get up, go to school. After school’s done, go to sports – whatever practice it may be – soccer, football, whatever was going on at the time, baseball, track, and after that’s done, go home and spend time with the family.

The author and Shane Victorino

Edward Sugimoto) A couple years ago (March 30, 2007), you became a father (daughter Kali`a Makenna Victorino). How does that feel?

Shane Victorino) Oh I love it! I love being a dad. My little girl Kalia, she’s a little rascal. My mom guys always told me, sometimes it comes full circle. My mom and dad did a wonderful job with me as a kid, and now I get to see what I was probably like, and see my genes go to work on my daughter. She’s a handful so I can only imagine what I was like for my mom and dad.

Edward Sugimoto) Speaking of your dad, he’s a Council Member back in Maui. Did he give you any kind of words of wisdom or leadership advice?

Shane Victorino) Um, you know what, dad’s one of those guys where I think, in the position that he’s in, and some of the things that he’s done in the community, you know he always told me work hard, and when you go out there, you work hard, you show people that you can be a leader, not by talking about it, but by going out there and doing things the right way. Giving back to the community and so on and so forth. So to have dad in that position I think it’s nice and you know he loves what he does, he loves always giving back and working for the community, when he got into the Councilman position he was very excited.

The author and Shane Victorino

Edward Sugimoto) You mentioned being in baseball, you were an Eagle Scout, Football (star in Soccer, Basketball and Track too). Is there anything you CAN’T do? 🙂

Shane Victorino) Anything I can’t do. (*laughs*). You know what’s funny, I never did surf. I never did surf growing up. That’s the one thing I think everybody always kinda questions like coming from Hawaii, how it is to surf and yada yada yada, but I always told myself, when my friends went to the beach, I went to the baseball park, I went to the football field, I went to the soccer field, you know I wanted to go get better playing spots, so I think that helped me differentiate myself from some of the things that, you know, if I went and spent a lot of time at the beach and surfed, it would’ve took away from me trying to be a good athlete that I am today.

Edward Sugimoto) Speaking about baseball, we (Hawaii) have Tony Rego, Sid Fernandez, and Benny Agbayani from back in the day. Today we have like the Little Leaguers from Waipio, you, Tyler Yates (Kurt Suzuki). Is this just the beginning of Hawaii talent coming into the league?

Shane Victorino) Yeah. I think Hawaii is definitely going to be a place where scouts are gonna come. Myself, Kurt Suzuki, you said Tyler Yates, Brandon League. I mean I can keep going down the list. More and more kids are in the minor leagues, so it’s definitely one of those things where Hawaii’s gonna become a state where I think a lot of people are gonna look, go there and look for talent, and look for baseball talent. The thing is Hawaii has so many talented kids, it’s just that a lot of them don’t want to go away. A lot of them miss Hawaii, and yada yada, and I always say to myself, if my family’s healthy, eveybody’s doing great, Hawaii’s Hawaii. It’s not gonna change. If you get the opportunity to go away, go to the (eastern) states and do some things, hey take the chance. You know what, your home will always be home. It ain’t gonna go nowhere.

The author and Shane Victorino

Edward Sugimoto) You’re highly involved in the community, both in Philadelphia and in Hawaii. And you have a Celebrity Golf Classic (to raise funds and awareness for Hawaii Children’s Cancer Foundation) coming up in November I believe (November 21st at the Maui Prince Makena Resort)? What makes you care so much about your community?

Shane Victorino) Well, I just think that being in the position that I’m in today, you know, growing up there in Hawaii, I never really saw too much of these kinds of things. Being in the sport that I’m in, I have a lot of teammates who host charity events, and for me, I was always taught that any way you can give back, it’s just one of those things, if you can give back, why not? If you can make an impact on somebody’s life, why not? And I think that when I got into the level that I got last year, I told myself, you know what, it’s time for me to try and make something happen in Hawaii. We’ll raise money for certain causes. Last year it was Alzheimer’s, this year it’s Hawaii’s Children’s Cancer research. So any way I can give back, I think is one of those things where I’ve always uh. You know when you’re in a position, like they say, “well you’re a professional athlete, you should give back.” Well, sometimes I think that we’re in a position that we don’t have to give back, but we’re in a position where we can help to make the community build and I think that’s what we do and that’s why I love doing these charity events.

Shane doing an interview with a reporter at UFC 101

Edward Sugimoto) How’d you like the fight last night (UFC 101 was at the Wachovia Center in Philadelphia)? We saw you!

Shane Victorino) I loved it! (*turns to camera*) Right on! Good job BJ! I was definitely excited. He definitely represented Hawaii. I think he worked hard. He was really, really focused on this fight and wanted to make an impression. I think that was what I saw out of him. He had that drive, he had that desire, he had the BJ Penn attitude. I think he really worked hard for this fight. He wanted to prove to people again that hey, you know what he’s still known as one of the best guys.

Edward Sugimoto) You probably have a lot of fans from Hawaii in for the fight and probably here for the game today. Are you pretty amped up about that?

Shane Victorino) Yeah, no I’m excited. I saw a few Hawaiian flags flying in the stands the last couple nights, so, it’s definitely nice to have the support and love from the Hawaii people.

Baseball Life:

Edward Sugimoto) You had a full ride scholarship to UH for Football. How difficult of a decision was it to turn that down and pursue a career in baseball?

Shane Victorino) It was very tough. It was one of those things, uh, you know my mom definitely wanted me to get a good education, and she definitely pushed that. She sent me to a private high school (St. Anthony in Maui) for a reason and that was to get a good education and to hopefully do well in sports and so on and so forth. But when that day came, it was definitely tough. But I told my mom, I said, “Mom, college will always be there. I may never have another chance to go pro.” So it was definitely a tough decision, but when I made a decision, I told myself I’m gonna go ’til I can’t stop. I wanted to go there and I wanted to work hard. As they always say, until they take the jersey off your back, I don’t want to quit. There were times yeah definitely through the minor leagues, there were struggles, and there were times I wanted to come home, but my dad said, “Hey just remember, you coming back home, you’re never going back.” That was words of advice that I’ll always remember. If I gave up when I wanted to, I may never get another chance to play pro ball, so I stuck with it, worked hard. But going back to the question, it was definitely a tough decision, but like I said, I told my mom, “Mom, education was gonna be there, college ain’t going nowhere.” You know, I can go to college when I’m 35, 40 years old. Hopefully I had a good career. I can go back to college when I’m done. So it was definitely tough, but I talked mom out of it, and I was able to go and turn pro, and hey, I’m having a wonderful time so far.

Victorino info on the billboard

Edward Sugimoto) The Phillies. You guys are all pretty aggressive, work hard. Is that something Coach (Charlie) Manuel stresses?

Shane Victorino) Yeah, um, you know what, Charlie is one of those guys where he lets you play. He’s the kind of manager that you want to play for. A guy that’s gonna let you go out there and gonna let you play the game that you play. Not gonna put too much stress on you, he’s not gonna bash you in the media. He’s gonna come and call you in his office if he wants to talk to you about things. So, when you come to the field every day, you know what you have out of your manager, and that’s the kind of guy you want. A guy who’s gonna be in your corner, not a guy that’s gonna yell at you, stress you out even more than what this game already does. He’s the kind of manager that we call a player’s manager. He takes care of his players. He goes out there, he wants his players to do their best. He’s got two rules: it’s to be on time and play hard (and hustle). You can’t ask much more out of a manager than that.

Phillies logo in the Phillies dugout

Edward Sugimoto) You wear a rarely fashioned double eared helmet. Is this because that’s how we used to play back in the day or just ’cause you’re a switch hitter? 🙂

Shane Victorino) Well, yeah, no, I did that in the minor leagues, and when I got to the big leagues, I put the one flap on for a while and it was kinda like I felt uncomfortable. So I told myself, why change? I did it in the minor leagues, I did it in Little League, why not keep it up? Plus, being a switch hitter, I don’t want to carry two different helmets, so some of those things factor in.

Shane Victorino sporting the double-eared helmet

Edward Sugimoto) Do you have a preference (right handed or left handed batting)?

Shane Victorino) No. There’s times you feel good from the right, there’s time you feel great from the left side. So you just gotta keep playing in this game. You play 162 games for a reason. You’re gonna go through your ups and downs, you’re gonna have your slumps, you’re gonna have your struggles, but you just go out there and keep working.

Edward Sugimoto) #8. Is there a reason why you chose that number?

Shane Victorino) Um, you know what, my brother was #8 in high school, my mom’s born on January 8, so 8 has some significance. I was 8 in high school. When I first got here, they gave me #8 so I was lucky enough, and I really didn’t have to ask for #8, but I was given #8 my first year here. It’s definitely a number that has ties to me.

Edward Sugimoto) Congratulations on winning the Gold Glove last season. Do you take pride in your defensive skills as much or more than your batting skills?

Shane Victorino) I definitely take pride in my offense a little more I think. But I mean I take pride in my defense too. I think defense is such a great factor in a ball game. You can never struggle. You should never slump on defense. You’re gonna go through struggles at the plate. You’re gonna go through 0 for 30s, you’re gonna go for 2 for 50s, but on defense you should never struggle because that’s not something where you gotta worry about hitting, you gotta worry about seeing the ball. You just gotta worry about staying focused, making good plays, and going out there and playing hard.

Shane manning the outfield (I know… kinda blurry!)

Edward Sugimoto) What’s the biggest rush. Homerun? Stolen base? Diving catch?

Shane Victorino) You know what, they all have their different life. Of course if you hit a walk-off homerun, that’s more exciting. When you make a diving catch in the game, that’s exciting. You steal a base in a big big situation, so you know, every one has its own weight I think. But for me, I would say, hitting a home run in a crucial situation, I think to me would be the most exciting thing.

Edward Sugimoto) You became the first Hawaii-born positional player in the All Star game. You had the support of Philadelphia, Hawaii, and everybody else (Both Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell and Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle showed their support, and South Philadelphia Mayor Michael A. Nutter even went door to door to solicit votes). You had 15.6 million Internet votes which set a record (previously held by Evan Longoria in 2008 at 9 million). How does that make you feel to have so much support?

Shane Victorino) It made me feel great. That really showed what Philly fans, what Hawaii fans, and what the passion of baseball has. The blessing that I had to be able to be voted in, to get that amount of votes, almost double what the guy the previous year had I think, was such an amazing thing. It really showed how much Philly fans and people around the world really care I guess about how I play the game and how I approach the game, so it was definitely a nice thing.

Edward Sugimoto) You had a hit in the All Star game. Explain your experience, the whole experience.

Shane Victorino) Everything was great. Every bit of it was what I expected. There were a few things, of course getting to meet President Obama again, just listening to the 5 living presidents talk before the game on the big screen about All Stars among us, people who are helping the community. Every moment had its catch, and being introduced as a starter, and then going out there and getting my first hit in my first at bat in my All Star game, or my first All Star game, so, it was some fun times.

Edward Sugimoto) On Friday, the Phillies inducted Harry Kalas into the Phillies Wall of Fame. After a recent homerun, you pointed to the booth where he used to sit. Kalas has a history in Hawaii (with the US Army and as a Hawaii Islanders announcer). What kind of an impact did he have on you?

Shane Victorino) He had that voice that I remember growing up as a little kid watching Inside the NFL at my grandma’s house, thinking to myself, who’s voice is this I’m hearing? And then when I came here in ’05, I remember hearing his voice when I got called up and I’m like, hold on, this is the guy’s voice that I used to hear when I was a little kid when I used to watch Inside the NFL, NFL Films. You know, it was just like, woah, this is the man. This is the guy, Harry Kalas, the guy that I remember growing up watching Inside the, you know NFL Films, and hearing that voice. To actually meet the guy in person, we definitely had a bondage. I remember one of my walk off homeruns, he said Victorino No Ka Oi. That was one thing he would always call me. “Hey! Victorino No Ka Oi!” You know he would always say that. He definitely had his roots to Hawaii. His first wife was from Hawaii, he definitely started with the Islanders, did some broadcasting there, so he definitely had some roots to the islands.

Shane Victorino

Edward Sugimoto) What does the future hold for Shane Victorino?

Shane Victorino) What does the future hold huh? Just try to be the best player I can be. To go out there and try to keep succeeding, try to keep getting better. In this game, there’s always room for improvement, and I think you go out there and work hard every day, that’s all I can say. I try to go out there and work as hard as I can, and try to play as hard as I can because you never know what could happen. Tomorrow may be my last day, today might be my last day. I might get hurt and never play again. But as long as I’m giving 100%, that’s all I can ask about myself.

Edward Sugimoto) You have any words of advice for your young fans out there?

Shane Victorino) Yeah. I think the kids in Hawaii, like I said earlier, I think a lot of Hawaii kids don’t understand, and they struggle with the fact of leaving home. To me, my advice to them is hey, if you get the opportunity, leave. Take the chance, see what’s out there. Work hard as a little kid and work hard now because when you work hard now, it’ll help you in the end. I was one of those kids where I was blessed by God. I had a lot of natural abilities. I didn’t work as hard as some of my friends, and I always say to myself if I did, how much better a player would I have been when I first got to the big leagues? But you know, I think with hard work and dedication, a lot of things can happen.

Edward Sugimoto) And how about your general fans? Message to them?

Shane Victorino) General fans? Thank you guys for everything. Thank you for voting me to the All Star game. Just enjoy. I think when you come to watch our team, that’s what we do. We go out there, we have fun, we try the best we can, and we play the game hard, and we just try to go out and win every night.

…

Right back atcha Bruddah Shane. Mahaloz for making all of us in Hawaii so very proud. Keep on playing the game with that intensity and heart and only good things will come. But I’m sure you already know this, as failure has never been in your vocabulary. V is for Victorino. Victorino No Ka Oi!

Me and Bruddah Shane

…

Ed’s Notes:

Shortly after this interview, Victorino strangely got ejected from the game (in centerfield!) by home plate umpire Ed Rapuano for throwing his arms up in the air (following a bad call). The Phillies lost the game and was ultimately swept by the Marlins, further diminishing their lead in the NL East.

Yikes.

A couple games later, in a matchup against the Chicago Cubs, he was doused with beer by a rabid Cubs fan – while trying to make a routine catch.

Eek.

Could it be? Could my interview with Bruddah Shane, in some strange way, possibly have put some kind of curse on the Phils? No. Can’t be! Riiight?

Thankfully, the Phils broke out in a big way, going 14-5 since then and is now sitting atop the NL East with a handsome 7 and a half game lead (as of 08/31). So you can actually say that this interview gave them good luck going into the post-season! You’re welcome fellow Philly fans! 😉

A big Mahaloz to: Ted Nakamura, Leonard Nakahashi, Shane’s mom, Josh Goldberg of the Beverly Hills Sports Council, Greg Casterioto and Deanna Sabec of the Phillies organization, Bari Carroll, and of course Bruddah Shane Victorino.

Q & A With Shane Victorino [Video]

Alright alright! It’s another exciting day up in hurr. Can you feel it? 🙂

I’d like to first start off by welcoming you new readers who found your way here via my floating head on the cover of today’s paper. Hope you like what you see and decide to check back often! 8) I would also like to send mad love to all y’all regular (dare I say daily?) readers! Majahloz for being a loyal member of our little WWE `ohana we got goin’ on ova hea!

Earlier this month, I asked you to post your questions for Mr. Shane Victorino to my blog. You see, your boy had the unique opportunity to meet and interview our beloved All Star and I wanted to take some of your questions with me, as we did with Bruddah BJ Penn. Well, I finally had the chance to edit, transcribe, and Youtube the puppy, and, below, is the fruit of our loins, er labor. 😛 Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-fh0p1FANY

[bB ]: Did you have any baseball heroes and did you collect baseball cards of them?

I collected baseball cards, but I didn’t have really no baseball heroes growing up. I was very big into every sport I think. I never really focused on baseball, but I watched it definitely as a kid, but you know I never really was like “baseball’s gonna be my passion,” you know growing up as a kid. And of course now it is my passion, it is my job, it is my career, yeah I never really had any baseball heroes.

(Ed’s notes: Sorry beeBz, I got rayboyjr‘s question mixed up with yours! *blush*)

[hemajang]: Does Shane have any thoughts about life after baseball.

Life after baseball. Right now, you know what, I’m trying to line myself up with some things. You know things that you brainstorm. Hopefully I’ll have a long enough career, and hopefully I’ll save enough money that I make during my career and hopefully get to retire and sit back on the beach, but no, I definitely want to uh, you know anytime in this business I think you meet so many people you know, you just, you try to keep getting better and you try to keep learning and you always listen to people’s advice and try to get the best advice you can.

[Matt ]: what’s it like when he runs into other Hawaii boys in the league?

What’s it like? I mean it’s just like you know it’s one of those things where it happens everywhere. You know how Hawaii is. We’re very family oriented, we always stick together. Like last night for instance, going over to support BJ (at UFC 101), going around the league and facing guys like Tyler Yates, and Brandon League, and playing against Kurt Suzuki. You feel good because you see a fellow “Hawaiian,” a guy that you know, hey, there’s not many of us out there that get the opportunity to do what we’re doing. You know you feel good for the guys that get the opportunity to go out there and do that.

[kuya.d ]: What do his teammates ask him to bring back for them from Hawaii?

Um, you know what, a lot of them always ask about the pineapples. Hawaii’s got great pineapples. We got a lot of guys on our team that love pineapples. You know I brought President Obama… I gave him macadamia nuts and chocolates during the All Star game, so, you know stuff like that, little things like that that you bring home from Hawaii.

[NeedaHobby ]: did he know Kurt Suzuki growing up and does he keep in contact with him?

Yeah, no yeah. In fact we just spoke last night during the fights. He text messaged me over the phone and we definitely, I did play against him growing up. He was a couple years behind me. I think he was a sophomore when I was a senior. But I definitely played against Kurt. It’s definitely exciting to see another guy, another fellow Maui boy in fact, do well and with guys like Tyler, with Brandon, you know just seeing the state of Hawaii do well in baseball.

[rayboyjr]: Which current Major League player(s) are you a big fan of? Have you asked for autographs or game-used stuff from them after a game?

Yeah, no I get autographs from as many guys as I can. I never know how long I’m going to be playing in this game. I think when you go out there every day, playing with guys like Albert (Pujols), playing with guys like Jimmy (Rollins), Chase (Utley), and being friends with guys like (Ryan) Howard, you know being friends with the guys on my team, especially, you know, we got so many guys that are good on our team. I’m definitely a guy that likes to talk to people, and say hi and get to know people, so…

[zzzzzz]: Has he got any of his teammates hooked on Spam Musubi? Is PETA still giving him grief about Spam Musubi being his favorite food?

No PETA’s not giving me a hard time yet this year, but Scott Eyre, one of our relievers, he’s big into SPAM. He bought me some SPAM last week and we actually fried it up and ate it. Yeah we have some fun around here.

[skycastles]: Boxers or briefs?

Boxers or briefs? No answer on that one (*laughs*). No answer to that one. A little too much for me. (*laughs*)

(Ed’s notes: Never again sky! Nevahhhhhhh agaaaaain! 😛 )

[Dave Oi]: What do you miss most about Maui in particular (not necessarily Hawaii)…besides family & friends.

What do I miss most about Maui in particular? I think uh, the beautiful weather, the beautiful beaches. Just paradise. I definitely miss that. The Jersey shore is about an hour from here, and it’s definitely not walking out to the white sandy beaches of Hawaii and uh, you know, it’s definitely different living on the east coast. But like I always said, if everybody’s healthy and my family’s doing well, home will always be home. But when I retire, that’s where I plan to be, I plan to be back home in Hawaii. I make my house right now what we consider the 9th island, and that’s in Las Vegas in the off season. When all is said and done, I definitely want to move home to Hawaii again.

[snow]: Does he feel that, coming out of a small state like Hawaii, he was at a disadvantage trying to break into the major leagues? Or might that have somehow worked in his favor?

Um, I say yes and no. It might’ve worked in my favor, but yet it might not have. I think once you get to where I’m at, when you get drafted, I think that everybody’s on uh, you know there’s guys that are, you know a different level, 1st rounder 2nd rounder, but you know what, to me, when you get drafted, everybody has a shot. If you work hard, you play the game the right way, you try to go out there with the right approach. You know I’ve seen a lot of guys get drafted after me, a lot of guys get drafted before me that didn’t get to the big leagues, so I think it depends on the individual, the character of the individual. Everybody has a chance. It might’ve helped me in a way being from Hawaii, but I think everybody gets a fair shot. 

[YN]: what’s the weirdest request he has ever gotten from a female fan?

Weirdest request. Boy, you get some weird ones. Some I can’t talk about on camera, but some of the things you get asked to do, especially by female fans, it’s like, I can’t do it. It’s just not realistic. You know being around and having a passion for the game and fans loving you I think is such a nice thing. The most I do is sign balls you know and do little things like that.

[uncle jimmy]: Shane’s arrival and rise to a starting spot pretty much coincided with the re-emergence of the Philly Phranchise. try ask him if Pilly peopo consider him a good luck charm.

*modest laugh* I guess yes and no. I think this team’s a good team, but I think we all work together, we work hard. You know it might’ve been just a coincidence, but you know what, I appreciate the opportunity that I get to play here in this lovely city. And it’s one of those things where you never take it for granted.

…

If it sounded like I was kinda rushing, I really was. I had taken up a good part of his warmup time with my previous two sections and could tell he was getting a bit antsy. As you can hear towards the ending, some peeps started to trickle into the dugout as well! Apologies if I skipped your question but I think I got most of the non-duplicated ones in dea.

Look for the complete video interview and article at AroundHawaii.com on September 1st!

Hope you enjoyed it yo! Lemme know what you thank!

For those who get one holiday tomorrow (Statehood/Admission Day), enjoy! See y’all on Monday k? Shooots! 🙂

Fave Five Friday – Celebrity Photo Opps

I’ve never been a fan of autographs. It’s too easy to forge, and, unless you can verify it and possibly even sell it for a premium, to me, it’s worthless. Celebrities are humans too. Some piece of paper with their chicken scratch on it doesn’t hold much weight. That’s just me.

But, as girly/kiddie as it sounds, what really gets me charged is getting a photo with said celeb. I value this the most because it has significance to me and me alone. I don’t care if it’s worthless to anyone else and ruined cause my ugly mug is in the photo, it’s just good kine fun and proof – in that particular moment in time – that I was there and actually met somebody I could tell a story about.

This past weekend in Philly, I had a blasty blast. Not only did I get that interview with Bruddah Shane, I was also able to sneak in some photo opps with “stars” from the MMA world, thanks to our awesome seats at UFC 101 the night before! Peeps like:

Cutman Jacob “Stitch” Duran

“Stitch” caught the same flight as us from Vegas. Cool guy!

UFC President Dana White

UFC President Dana White taking the time to greet his fans

Fighter Frank Trigg

Newly signed (again) UFC fighter Frank “Twinkle Toes” Trigg. Why does Bari look so upset? 8)

Referee Mario Yamasaki

Referee Mario Yamasaki kept coming into the stands for some reason. I caught him one quick one after the event was pau

Phillie All Star Shane Victorino

Me and Bruddah Shane in the Phillie dugout after our interview

Which led me to this week’s Fave Five question. Which 5 celebs would you most like to have a photo with? If photos ain’t your bag, you can use autographs for your list.

1. Flavor Flav – OMG! He’s so flamboyant and out there! This would be the funnest photo, like EVER! LOL!
2. Mr. T – see above! Seems like a nice, humble guy too.
3. Kimbo Slice – he’s crazy intense, but seems like a cool, mellow cat, outside the ring. I give him mad props for starting from scratch in the coming season of the Ultimate Fighter!
4. Michael Jordan/Tiger Woods – gods in their respective games, though I’m not sure how good/genuine their personalities would be.
5. Hugh Hefner – no words necessary! LOL!

I’m sure I’m missing a lot more, so lemme hear it. Send over your list of celebs you’d like to get a pic with/meet/get an autograph from.

Some celebs I forgot to mention were those that would bring the most cashola to my pocket (when sold to the tabloids). *grin* Maybe a scandalous shot with Jon or Kate, or both? Or Brangelina? Or even the Octo-mom? Is she even relevant anymore? 😛

Anyway, I digress. Have fun with this list on your T.G.I. Friday y’all!

Happy VHO7V Friday and have an awesome weekend k? Shoots!

(Editor’s note: Don’t get me wrong. I ain’t no celebrity stalker/groupie type, as the pictures above may make it seem. LOL! If I had to stand in line and wait a couple hours for one photo, I wouldn’t do it. These just so happen to fall into place a-ight? 😛 )

Fun Day Monday: Ask a Shane (Victorino)

Hey Hey Hey! We may’ve done it again gang!

As part of my UFC 101 weekend in Philadelphia this weekend, I’ve been in contact with Shane Victorino’s management company (shout out to Josh Goldberg at Beverly Hills Sports Council) to see if I can’t line up an interview with our proud Phillie All Star that very same weekend. Josh says that we’ll make it happen so I’mma keepin’ my fingers crossed!

In anticipation of this interview, let’s collect your questions, much like how we did with your BJ Penn ones: Post any questions you’d like to ask Shane in the comment area below and I’ll take them up with me to ask Shane himself. Then, we’ll do a post-interview blog with your questions (much like how we did with the BJ ones)! Sound good? Comment away! 🙂

A special thank you to Ted Nakamura who connected me to Leonard Nakahashi who connected me to Shane’s mom, who connected me to Josh at BHSC. Mahalo Ted, Leonard, Shane’s mom, Shane, Josh, and BHSC!

Shane Victorino [Photo Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons]

Wish me luck y’all!

Rebound Relationships?

Since it’s News Day Tuesday, we’ll take a closer look at one of the items recently reported in the news: Jon Gosselin has a new girlfriend.

Bruddah was married with 8 kids not too long ago. How’s dat one?

I’ll save you from reading and let you guys chime in on some of the suggested items listed below or others you’d like to dish on.

Talk to me!
* Was their marriage doomed to begin with?
* Do you think the show played a part in their break-up?
* Is it Kate’s fault?
* What about the poor kids?
* Was he cheating on Kate?
* What is an OK timeframe for him (or anyone) to move on to a new relationship?
* Have you ever (or know of anyone who has) rebounded from one relationship to the next?
* Any truth to the theory that Rebound Relationships never work?
* How about the theory that some girls rebound from one relationship to the next because they can never be alone?
* Your best rebound relationship story?
* Any other comments on Rebound Relationships?

Other hijacking options:
* Jessica Simpson Dumped by Tony Romo
* Lauren Conrad Tops New York Times Best Seller List
* LaToya Jackson Claims Michael Jackson was Murdered
* Team Oceanic remains unbeaten (3-0) in the AAJA Hawaii Media Basketball League 8)
* MLB All Star Game tonight! Gooooo Shane!

Happy Birthday to WWE-eeeeee!

A year ago to the day, the world was fortunately unfortunately exposed to the mind of me, and I hereby apologize.

You see, the peeps at the ’tiser opened thangs up for me in the backend *snicker* and shortly thereafter, the first ever World Wide Ed blog (to the Advertiser community) – simply entitled “Aloooooha!” – was born (in the USA)!

Things were slow at first, as I tried to find my place amongst the big dogs *woof WOOF* like Stephen Tsai’s “The Warrior Beat,” and Catherine Toth’s “The Daily Dish,” but eventually, I found my virtual footing and carved a cozy little niche out for myself and you fun, faithful readers.

Hoooo! I can’t believe it’s already been a year! *wipes away Visine induced tears* As some of you mentioned in yesterday’s blog, time really does fly when you’re having fun eh? It still amazes me that there were THAT many topics to write about on the daily. Sure, I did miss a few days here and thurr due to travel, holidays, and a little thing called a wedding, but for the most part, I was pretty on top of it wouldn’t ya say?

In fact, if my math is correct (and don’t truss’ me ’cause I suck at math), I probably wrote about 261 posts, give or take a few.

365 (days in the year)
– 104 (weekend days)
—————————————–
= 261 actual week days of possible WWE blogs

OK, I checked out our backend *snicker* and saw that I actually posted 200 fitty blogs! (I tol’ you my math sucks!) Either way, I think that’s quite a feat if I do say so myself. *bends over and waits for a pat on the back* (*snicker*) In theory, if I continue this blog on that torrid pace for the next 30 years of my life, I would’ve bored you to tears with 7,500 posts! Seventy five HUNNY!

Scurred?

Don’t be.

It’ll be all good in the ‘hood going forward. Trust.

I think I’m finally getting the hang of this. No more posts about nails, my broken mandible or MMA. I heard you (or rather, I didn’t hear you at all in the comments) loud and clear. Jeez, and it only took me a year to finally get it! Ha!

Mahalos to each and errry one of you for reading. E Komo Mai to those coming by way of seeing my spooky face in today’s paper. Whether you’re new and this is your first hit of WWE, or you need to be sent to WWEA pretty soon, I send mad love to you! Please continue to read and post your feedback in the comment area. That’s really what keeps me going. I love reading and interacting with the `ohana we got goin’ on here. You guys are the ones who make this blog fun for me! Keep it up yo!

Talk to me (Help a brutha improve WWE)!

* What was your favorite post?

* What was your least favorite post?

* What do you want to see more of? Less of? (Be honest, I can takeum!)

* What’s missing?

* How can I improve?

* What prompts you to want to comment/participate?

* Hints for future posts?

* Some of your favorite WWE memories/highlights of the last year?

* What’s the biggest thing that happened to you in the last year?

* What do you hope to do in the next year?

Here are my answers. Post yours below k?

* What was your favorite post? – The Fun Day Monday: You Know You’re Local If… post cause we made triple digit history with that one son! LOL!

* What was your least favorite post? – The MMA Television Programming posts because it took like FOREVER to put together and nobody ever commented on it. 😦

* What do you want to see more of? Less of? – More comments, less low comment counts. 😉

* What’s missing? – Guest posts. Will try to get more of y’all involved with posts of your own for us to dish on.

* How can I improve? – I’m all ears!

* What prompts you to want to comment/participate? – ditto the above

* Hints for future posts? – Yes please. 8)

* Some of your favorite WWE memories/highlights of the last year? – the appearance and disappearance and reappearance of Chicken Grease (he was actually my first ever commenter, and it was a positive one at that. In fact, it was so good that it jump started my drive to make this place good), giving away free movie passes to readers like JMAW, Miss Priss, and liane, talking high school supremacy shmack with frankie, celebrating the Phillies’ World Series victory with uncle jimmy, starting and growing the Where in Hawaii series (and being flattered by a few copycats 8) ), scratching my head at Helen‘s ridiculous comments, the funny wedding jokes and videos like the Best Man Blunder Video, making up nicknames for all of you, the thank yous for my periodic PSA posts, the turning point from single digit daily comment counts to double digit daily comment counts (woo hoo!), assigning roles (hunter, chef, law enforcement, etc.) on our desert island, the birth of Scott‘s boy, standing up to tita leerz (and getting pwned! in the process), brightening the start of your work week with Fun Day Mondays, getting my blogs hijacked for totally unrelated topics 😛 , the moderation bot’s strange rules/flags, kuya.d‘s successful “Prom Songs” guest post, the “Good Morning”‘s from M, the lowdown from the female perspective from snow, NeedaHobby, skycastles, kako_mochi, kate, YN and mcat, the sage lecturing advice from hemajang, MakiSushi, Coconut Willy, Kage and Kel Sr. (and jr.), the humor of Ynaku, bB, and rayboyjr, the periodic appearances of Dave, Syxx, BananaFysh, S Ticket, che, zzzzzz, Lose Money, soogs, miLL-viLLe, EMM386, HNL2LAS, Paco, Takeshi, MoOgooGuypAN, L, and Bre, being the first ’tiser blogger to break the Susan Boyle story, collecting names for our future WWE Fantasy Football league, seeing new faces come out of lurk mode, learning what VHO7V meant, and much more! Keep the memories a-comin’!

* What’s the biggest thing that happened to you in the last year? – Hands down, da big dance, fo shizzle.

* What do you hope to do in the next year? – Plan and take an RV trip, interview more Hawaii celebs (BJ Penn, Shane Victorino, Colbie Caillat, holla atcho boy!), etc.

Thanks again for sticking with me for the last year. Here’s to another 7,250 or so y’all (yeah, I used a calculator for that one… whut!?)! Hehe, Shooooots!

Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – October 29, 2008

Coconut Willy joins HNL2LAS and M in the multiple win column by correctly guessing Gina’s for last week’s photo. I’m still not too sure if this week’s one is too easy or too hard for you akamai buggahs, but I guess we’ll find out shortly eh? Post your guesses below a-ight?

Where In Hawaii is Edward Sugimoto? – October 29, 2008

Hint: TBA, if necessary…

---

Last Week’s Answer
Here’s the answer to last week’s photo: Gina’s Bar-B-Q!

Da “Where In Hawaii” Winnahz Circle!

• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 22, 2008: Coconut Willy (Gina’s Bar-B-Q)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 15, 2008: HNL2LAS (Jurison’s Inn)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 8, 2008: jr. (Makapu`u Lighthouse Trail)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – October 1, 2008: HNL2LAS (Dole Plantation)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 24, 2008: teej (M Matsumoto Grocery Store or Matsumoto’s Shave Ice Sign)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 17, 2008: M (Tree Tunnel on Highway 520 (Maluhia Road) in Kauai)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 10, 2008: snow (Tasaka Guri Guri, Maui)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – September 3, 2008: M with props to Rodney (Laie Point State Wayside)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 27, 2008: nobody!, but dsosa was close (Camp Erdman)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 20, 2008: BarbieQ! (Old Koloa Town)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – August 6, 2008: kako mochi (Kincaid’s)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 30, 2008: ijiwarui (Dave & Buster’s)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – July 23, 2008: MoOgooGuypAN and Coconut Willy’s wifey (La Pietra Hawaii School for Girls)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – June 27, 2008: GumbysHorse (White Plains Beach, Barber’s Point)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 19, 2008: nobody! (the mall fronting Kekaulike Market in Chinatown)
• Where In Hawaii Is Edward Sugimoto – May 7, 2008: nobody!, but 1dble was pretty dang close (Ward area, more specifically, right in front of the Starbucks/Big City Diner area)

Happy Hump Day Where In Hawaii Wednesday y’all. 🙂

P.S. You think the weather will hold up long enough so that my Phils can win this thang today? Wish Shane and da boys luck!