2010 Road Runner High School High Speed Video Contest Finale Event

Since mid-September, high schools across the state have been feverishly storyboarding, filming & editing home-grown videos in an attempt to answer the burning question:

“What does Road Runner do for you?”

Why?

Well, you see, the good people at Oceanic Time Warner Cable and Road Runner put together a neat-o competition called the Road Runner High School High Speed Video Contest in which the team with the winning video receives $10,000 for their school’s multimedia department. 10 Gs!?!? Holy Guacamole!!

Needless to say, the contest was a rousing success garnering over 16,700 total views on its Youtube channel during the short 2 month period. Of the over 30 entries, ten finalists were selected and invited to attend the live finale event – held last night at the Road Runner Music Hall – where this year’s winner would be crowned. Below are some of the sights and sounds of the evening. Check it…

Oceanic Time Warner Cable VP of Marketing Alan Pollock doubled as the entertaining emcee of the night. Here he is welcoming everybody to the event.

Oceanic Time Warner Cable VP of Marketing Alan Pollock

On the screen behind him was Kauai High School checking in via Skype. They were the first high school to present their video, which was entitled “Just About Everything”.

Kauai High team members: Kristen Sugihara, Meghan Fujimoto, Courtney Ochoco, and supervising teacher: Leah Aiwohi.

Next up was Hilo’s own St. Joseph School, who also checked in via Skype.

St. Joseph High School

Their video was entitled “Local Kine Wisdom”…

St. Joseph team members: Christian Borris, Kapualani Jacunski, William Scanlan-Leite, William Livingston, Evalani Walton, and supervising teacher: Nathan Yocum.

American Renaissance Academy was next.

American Renaissance Academy

ARA’s entry was entitled “What Road Runner Does for American Renaissance Academy”.

American Renaissance Academy team members: Gray Goodhue, Erika Kang, Keean Braceros, Rachelle Wai, Lindsey Takeuchi, and supervising teacher: Wayne Grimes Hirakawa.

Next to present was Campbell High.

Campbell High School

Campbell’s entry was entitled “Let’s Connect”.

Campbell High team members: Marifel DeVera, Jessica Bragg, August Harrington, Marc Samonte, Rachel Lew, and supervising teacher: Oscar Ramiscal.

Next up: Farrington High.

Farrington High School

They presented their entry called “Go Granny, Go!”

Farrington High team members: Sugar Foronda, Jon Ibarra, Christopher Ellazar, Kristen Cabang, Marie Claire Magallanes, and supervising teacher: Christine Ho.

Perennial football powerhouse Kahuku High was up next. Presenting their video was members of their media department.

Kahuku High School

Their entry was called “Run Like One Animal!”

Kahuku High team members: Pono Requilman, Jasmine Hall-To’omalatai, Leialoha White, Sashakoko Lee, Zion Barcina, and supervising teacher: Debra Barenaba.

And then we had the kids from Mililani High.

Mililani High School

They had a video called “Wake Up Call”

Mililani High team members: Brandon Tacadena, Zachary Lee, Taliya Hayes, and supervising teacher: Jason Tamura.

Myron B Thompson Academy was up next.

Myron B Thompson Academy

They called their entry “Life In the Fast Lane”

Myron B Thompson Academy team members: Honey Polido, Benjamin Menashe, Mark Kahuena, Nathaniel Menashe, Jayson Hayworth, and supervising teachers: Mr. Mike Pai and Mr. Danny Pai.

Waianae High was next.

Waianae High School

They presented “Speed Up Communication”

Waianae High team members: Malie Gonsalves, Skye Tuinei, Karli Wagatsuma, and supervising teacher: John Allen.

And last, but not least, we had Waipahu High.

Waipahu High School

Their entry was called “Makes Life Easy”

Waipahu High team members: Rion Takasaki, Masahiro Atsumi, Kevin Marin, Alisha Vendiola, Mark Pilar, and supervising teachers: Lori Murakami and Johann Montero.

Then, it was time for the judges to submit their scores. Here’s special guest judge Tony Silva – from OC16’s Da Bruddahs & Friends – critiquing a video.

Special guest judge Tony Silva from OC16’s Da Bruddahs & Friends

The scores were then tallied and the winner was revealed…

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Can just feel the anticipation no?

OK, OK, and the winner… with a grand total of 29 points (out of a possible 30)… was…

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Myron B Thompson Academy with “Life In the Fast Lane”!!!

Here’s team member Honey Polido with her acceptance speech.

Honey Polido

Oceanic Time Warner Cable VP of Marketing Alan Pollock then presented the Myron B Thompson Academy team with their $10,000 check!

Oceanic Time Warner Cable VP of Marketing Alan Pollock presents Myron B Thompson Academy with their check for $10,000! (Photo Courtesy: Kiman Wong)

‘Grats also to the team from Mililani High School (“Wake Up Call”)! With 26 points, they were the first (Road) Runner up and each won their own netbook to go along with their 2nd place plaque!

The Mililani High School Team

Big ups again to the Myron B Thompson Academy Team. Here’s a nice team shot to close us out….

The Myron B Thompson Academy Team (Photo Courtesy: Kiman Wong)

For more information, please visit:
* http://www.youtube.com/roadrunnervideo2010
* http://andhere.com/
* http://www.facebook.com/OceanicCable
* http://www.oceanic.com/roadrunnervideo2010
* #RRVIDEO2010

Talk to me!
* What did y’all think of the videos? Too good da kids nowadays yeah?
* Which was your favorite video?
* Funniest?
* Most creative?

Have a happy Thursday peeps! It’s now officially just one more week until Thanksgiving! Woo hoo! 🙂

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Finger Garlickin’ Good! – Sugoi Bento & Catering

Doesn’t allium sativum sound like some potent ingredient listed on the label of some dangerous cleaning ingredient? Well, it’s potent alright, but believe you-me, it’s far from dangerous. In fact, it’s wondrously edible and delectable at that, and there are three “just gotta” reasons to ingest this here allium sativum: 1) for its medicinal value(s), 2) the notion that it wards off evil and 3) Sugoi’s!

OK, ‘scuse the ambiguous opening paragraph. If you know exactly what I’m talking about, then you’re either a plant expert or a psychic. Either way, I should probably take a few steps back and attempt to clarify some thangs.

Allium Sativum is a species in the onion family, more commonly known by its recognized name of garlic. This tiny, but powerful bulb is used to prevent heart disease and improve the human immune system, and may even aid in cancer prevention. In addition, there is a superstition that says that if you wear garlic or hang it from notable locations (e.g. windows, doors, etc.), it will protect you from evil, vampires in particular.

The vague “Sugoi” reference in the paragraph (which, translates to “wow” or “great” or “awesome” in Japanese) actually eluded to Sugoi Bento & Catering, a popular plate lunch joint, whose specialty is… you got it, their garlic chicken.

[pause for gears in brain to start clicking]

Ahhh, all making sense now eh? Now that we’ve got that squared away, let’s profile “Sugoi” and their famous eats now shall we?

Sugoi sign

Located in the City Square Building in Kalihi, this local hotspot has been serving up lip-smackin’ chow to satisfied customers for nearly 7 years. Their #1 seller, by far, is their garlic chicken, which has won numerous awards, including the “Best Plate Lunch” in the annual Top 100 Restaurants on Oahu publication (Honolulu Advertiser) for 4 years in a row, “Best Chicken Plate Lunch” on the island by Lyle Galdeira’s “Cheap Eats” on KHNL News, 3rd Place for “Best Bento” in the 2006 Best of the Best awards (Honolulu Advertiser).

Sugoi’s Awards Display

They also won “Best Mochiko Chicken” honors by Chef Sam Choy and gained national notoriety when featured on two shows on the Food Network: “Secret Life Of… Luau” and “Surf and Turf.”

In other words, making up your mind on what to order there is, well, so easy a caveman can do it (sorry GEICO).

However, if you’ve got a hot date with a vampire tonight or garlic just ain’t your cup of tea, they’ve got a bevy of items to choose from off their sizeable menu.

Sugoi’s Menu

(! – If you’re not in the mood for garlic, but still want to get a feel for their delish chicken stylings, try one of their other prepared poultry options: spicy, mochiko or sesame. They are made the same way as the garlic chicken, without the need for a breath mint. My personal favorite is the sesame chicken in the bento.).

Sugoi’s Sesame Chicken Bento – $7.45

Local boy Zachary Lee is the owner of this great/awesome/wow place, and his kind-hearted, appreciative, good nature is very refreshing. He’s probably going to kill me for publishing this part of our email conversation, but, I wanted to give you an idea of what kind of guy he is:

“That’s really nice of you to showcase Sugoi, I can’t thank you enough. I really like what I do, and it’s nice to see so many customers come to my restaurant, and leave with a happy experience. I try to create a positive environment with my staff, I really feel that is where it starts.”

Keep in mind that this wasn’t part of the interview. It was just informal chit-chat before the real deal. Makes you wanna give him a great big bearhug now don’t it? 🙂

OK, all together now…

Awwww…

Zack Lee (far right) and his staff at Sugoi’s

Before you get all mushy on me/us, let’s continue with our interview.

We’re both baseball boys (he at McKinley and I at Kaiser) so he knew a lot of guys from my former team. You know, those who actually played. *grin* And, as I was writing this, a co-worker of mine randomly walked into my “office” and said “Eh, Zack! You know him too!? Cool guy yeah?” The point I’m trying to make is that this “cool” guy (who enjoys golfing, lifting weights, and collecting comics in his spare time) is well regarded and adorned by many.

On interview morning, Zack gave me a chance to try some items from his breakfast menu. I ordered the Two Eggs & (Fried) Rice with choice of Corn Beef Hash. The corn beef hash was prepared in a way I’ve never seen. Panko-crusted and deep fried. Sugoi!

Two Eggs & (Fried) Rice with choice of Corn Beef Hash – $5.50

Customer favorites also include the Hamburger Steak plate ($6.75), Short Ribs ($7.50) and Yakisoba plates (from $5.95). Zack also tells me that their original bottled sauces (launched in 2005) are doing well:

“These 16-ounce bottles are sealed air-tight, contain absolutely no MSG, and will stay fresh for 6 months! Sugoi sauces go great with anything you love to eat; steak, roasts and ribs, to chicken, duck, turkey and ham, or drizzled over oodles of noodles… even as a salad dressing.”

Sugoi’s Bottled Sauce Display

You can find these bottled gems at Marukai, Chili in Hawaii, Star Market, Wholesale Unlimited, Pat’s Island Delights, Menehune Mac Factory, Chit Chat, Foodland, Times, and Sugoi’s as well as their web site: www.sugoihawaii.com (they ship to the mainland US every week). Speaking of their web site, you can also use it to preorder food (must be made at least 2 days in advance), check out their menu and catering prices, and even contact them electronically.

Sugoi’s future, according to Zack, is to expand the menu and bottled sauces, and improve on their current location. Zack would also like to thank all of Sugoi’s great customers for the support and thank the great employees that make up the team.

One more time now: Awwww!

So if you’ve never been to Sugoi Bento & Catering, why not give them a whirl? If you have, give them a return whirl. If this is one of your favorites, become a Whirling Dervish and give them many, repeat whirls. OK, that was lame, but you get the point. Go check um out a-ight?

If you need any more convincing, I’ve got three “just gotta” reasons for you my friends… 1) Wow, 2) Great and 3) Awesome!

Sugoi Bento & Catering City Square Building 1286 Kalani St. #B-106 Honolulu, HI 96817 (map) (808) 841-7984 Monday-Saturday 8AM-7PM Sunday: Catering Only