Hawaii Beat

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Saturday, July 24, 1999

Bad day for visiting
Asahi Cup sailors

The strongest winds in the three-year history of the Asahi Super Cup sailing competition off Waikiki contributed to the withdrawal of defending champion Desperado from yesterday's second race after a crew member from Japan suffered a serious gash on his right shin.

While the yacht jostled for starting position in the Performance Handicap division's second race of the day, the man slipped and fell into the lifeline, which ripped into his shin.

Desperado returned to the Waikiki Yacht Club after the crew radioed ahead for an ambulance

With winds blowing at 28 knots, another visiting Japanese sailor on Perestroika slipped and fell overboard during the opening race. He was rescued by a crew mate.

On corrected time after two races, Kaimiloa led the PH-1 division; Usual Suspects was first in the PH-2 division and Spine Care paced the J-24 division.

The fleet was to sail again today in the longest race of the series, from Ala Wai Small Boat Harbor to Koko Head and back.

Pua Melia title to Ah Yuen

Mahina Ah Yuen captured the 23rd annual Pua Melia Women's Invitational golf championship with a 36-hole score of 157.

Ah Yuen, who won the HSWGA Match Play Championship last month, shot a final-round 83 yesterday at the Olomana Golf Links.

Donna Anderson, a 22-handicapper, posted a 36-hole low-net score of 131.

Isle lifters at USA meet

Roland Aki, Leo Luna, Clifton Torres and Ron Vasquez will represent Hawaii in the USA Bodybuilding Championships July 30-31 at Santa Monica, Calif.

Aki was the 1997 USA bantamweight champion and the 1996 Mr. Hawaiian Islands lightweight champ. Luna took the Hawaii Natural middleweight title a year ago.

Torres was the 1996 Hawaiian Islands and '97 Paradise Cup bantamweight winner. Vasquez is a former Mr. Paradise Cup and Mr. Hawaiian Islands.

Yonamine in AJA forum

Japan League Hall of Famer Wally Yonamine and other AJA baseball figures will participate in "Great Moments in AJA Baseball," a forum about the AJA in Hawaii, from 10 a.m. to noon on Aug. 7 at the Japanese Cultural Center on Beretania Street.

Michael Okihiro, author of "AJA Baseball in Hawaii: Ethnic Pride and Tradition," will also be on hand to participate in the forum and sign books.

Among others taking part are AJA and pro player Dick Kashiwaeda, former All-Americans Glenn Goya and David Kitamura, and UH coach Les Murakami, a former AJA coach and player.

QB Club speakers

Speakers at the Honolulu Quarterback Club luncheon on Monday are: Hawaii Hammerheads head coach Guy Benjamin and defensive coordinator Doug Semones, Hawaii-Hilo athletic director Bill Trumbo and Hawaii High School Athletic Association president Tony Ramos.

Lunch at the Pagoda Restaurant is served at 11:30 a.m. The program begins at noon. The public is invited.

Kona billfish tourney

The first August Moon Billfish Tournament Aug. 9-13 at Kailua-Kona is open to all interested teams.

For more information, call Jody Bright at 808-325-7300.