Chris Faildo

Nelson is chairman of the National Physique Committee's Hawaii chapter. The NPC is the organization that runs amateur bodybuilding competitions.

For the past seven years, the Hawaii Bodybuilding Championships have been the only "natural" contest in the state. But Nelson said he has to compromise by bringing in professional guest posers.

Although it is the sport's worst-kept secret, almost all pro bodybuilders use anabolic steroids, and some also have begun to use other potentially dangerous drugs and hormones such as diuretics and insulin to increase bulk and cut fat.

This year's featured poser, Dennis Newman, has an inspirational story - he is recovering from leukemia. But he has also admitted in bodybuilding magazines to using steroids to build his impressive physique.

"This is sort of hypocritical on my part," Nelson said. "But there is no drug-free pro bodybuilder that will pack a house. Bodybuilding is a humongous business. Look at the magazines. People don't want to pay to see guys they can see at the beach. They want to see humongous guys - at shows and on the magazine covers."

But while hard-core bodybuilding fans may want mass at any price, a local natural bodybuilding champion said the sport needs to change its image faster if it is to grow.

"The (general) public sees bodybuilders as steroid freaks," Chris Faildo said. "That's why it's not in the Olympics."

Faildo, 30, of Honolulu, won the title of Mr. USA in the drug-free national championships last weekend in New York. If you didn't hear about it, don't feel alone - natural bodybuilders don't get much publicity.

Faildo says that might change as bodybuilding's governing organizations get serious about drug testing - again. There was a period in the late 1980s when natural meets thrived.

"The trend is going back toward drug testing," Faildo said. "A pro bodybuilder (Andreas Munzer) recently died from diuretics. The major sponsors are starting to crack down and look at it again. "

Faildo said he was tested by polygraph before the national championships, and by urinalysis afterward.

Nelson said one reason natural meets are rare is because of the expense of testing. Tomorrow's winners in the 10 categories will be tested by polygraph.

George Hishinuma, a former competitor making a comeback in this meet, said steroids can be tempting.

"I used it briefly 10 years ago at the beginning of my career," Hishinuma said. "I was led to believe that you couldn't compete if you didn't use them. But I didn't get results. I got more results training naturally. I didn't suffer side effects, but I've seen them and it's not worth it."

Faildo, who is under contract with a protein foods manufacturer, is one of the few natural bodybuilders who can make money on the sport. But he keeps his daytime job with a printing company.

He also goes to four schools a month to talk about the dangers of steroids and other drugs.

"They say natural bodybuilders can't get anywhere," said Faildo, who travels to Jordan in November for the natural Mr. Olympia championships. "I want to prove them wrong."

Where: Mid-Pacific Institute, Bakken Auditorium.
When: Tomorrow, prejudging at 9 a.m., finals at 7 p.m.
Guest posers: Chris Faildo, Dennis Newman, Errica Kern.
Tickets: $20-30.
Sponsors: Wieder Nutrition, Muscle & Fitness Magazine, Flex Magazine.
Proceeds to: Muscular Distrophy Association.