Russ Francis, the former National Football League star who recently ended a stint as a Honolulu television sports anchor, has been hired by the state's Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism as a sports coordinator. Francis to work for state
Francis will be involved in the state's efforts to keep the NFL's Pro Bowl in Hawaii.
HAWAII FIGHTERS LOSE: Both Hawaii boxers in the semifinals of the U.S. National Championships lots yesterday.
Reynaldo Ferrer of Wailuku dropped a 3-2 decision to Frank Durst of Augusta, Ga., in the 125-pound class. Jason Tomlin of Hilo also lost by a 3-2 decision to Daniel Hernandez of Indio, Calif., at 147 pounds.
SKATE ALOHA BEGINS: The Hawaii Figure Skating Club's Skate Aloha 1997 figure skating competition runs today through Sunday at the Ice Palace.
Thirty-two skaters from Canada, Alaska and the mainland United States, and 50 Hawaii skaters are entered in the competition. They range in age from 5 through fortysomething.
Competition is from 2 to 8 p.m. today; 2 to 6 p.m. tomorrow, and 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday and Sunday. There is no admission charge.
There also will be exhibition performances. Lt. Col Terry Walters, M.D., of Hawaii, a 1995 and 1996 age-level Adult Gold Ladies national champion, will perform an artistic program to the music from "Schindler's List" at 6:40 p.m. today. Two skaters from Omaha, Neb., 15-year-old Brandi Crewse and 16-year-old Patricia Lilyhorn, will perform an ice-dancing exhibition 8:50 a.m. Saturday. Kimberly Navarro of Santa Rosa, Calif., age 15 and a national qualifier in ice dancing, will perform a Junior Ladies Artistic Program at 9:45 a.m. Saturday. Jamie Garvey, 16, of Norwalk, Calif., will perform an Intermediate Ladies Showcase at 8:50 a.m. Sunday
This is Hawaii FSC's second annual competition run under the United States Figure Skating Association rules. This year's competition is also sanctioned (approved) by the Canadian Figure Skating Association.