Lilikoi

I came across this funky-looking flower in a public garden, and did not know what it was. I finally found out through a Hawaiian botany book that this is a lilikoi (passion fruit) flower. Passion fruit is a common ingredient in local juice mixes and fruit preserves.

Waikiki Skyline

A westward view of world-famous Waikiki taken from the Kapahulu groin lookout, during a video production shoot.

Take Off

Moving onto another flower, a honeybee takes off from this ohia lehua flower after pollenating it.

Clouds Over Downtown

Ominous-looking clouds hover over downtown Honolulu.

Coloured Glass

This light fixture is one of several around the Kahala Hotel and Resort. It has graced the pillars and walls as far back as I can remember, which is at least 30 years.

Hawai‘i Ties

A post-game photo of several UH Warriors and players with Hawai‘i ties pose for a post-game photo on the mid-field game logo. After the game some of the fans got onto the field getting autographs and photos with players.

Front row: defensive lineman Michael Lafaele (Hawai‘i) and offensive lineman Brennan Carvalho (Portland State)
Back row: defensive lineman Karl Noa (Hawai‘i), defensive lineman J.T. Mapu (Tennessee), defensive lineman Amani Purcell (Hawai‘i), tight end Kolomano Kapanui (West Texas A&M), offensive lineman Brandon Rodd (Arizona State), and offensive lineman Hercules Satele (Hawai‘i).

How's this for multi-tasking ... I shot this pic with my point-and-shoot while shooting with the videocamera.

62nd Hula Bowl

The 62nd Hula Bowl, a seniors all-star game, was played on Saturday. It marked the final college appearance for eight University of Hawai‘i Warriors, as well as a few other players with Hawai‘i ties. The Warriors played on the "‘Aina" (West) team.

Pictured above with yours truly, are out-going Warriors (L-R) wide receiver C.J. Hawthorne (80), wide receiver Jason Rivers (84), and safety Jacob Patek (36). Thanks Pat for snapping this shot. Thanks guys for a season well-played!

We saw several NFL team scouts patrolling the sidelines during warm-up armed with clipboards and pens taking notes of the players. I hope and pray some, if not all, of the ex-Warriors get a shot at the next level.

Kalihi Rainbow

This extremely low rainbow hangs over Kalihi, a district in Honolulu between downtown and the airport, with Ke‘ehi lagoon in the foreground. I was driving home from photographing an airliner when I saw this, and had to pull to the side to get the shot.

Colt Brennan

Colt Brennan led the University of Hawai‘i Warrior offense to a 12-0 regular season record this past season, and will await to see where he lands in the 2008 NFL draft. Brennan also set several team and NCAA football records for quarterbacks, and was a legitmate contender (finishing 3rd) for the 2007 Heisman Trophy.

Colt's seen here at a Hope968 service he spoke at during the 2006 season, where he gave his testimony, about his journey that led him to Hawai‘i, head coach June Jones, and the 2006 Warriors.

I hope and pray that Colt Brennan will go early in the draft as projected, and be a blessing to the team that drafts him. Colt, mahalo for playing your senior season, leading the Warriors to a 12-0 regular season record, and to Hawai‘i's first BCS bowl game!

Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullins

Future NFLers and former University of Hawai‘i Warriors slotbacks Davone Bess (left) and Ryan Grice-Mullins (right) were gracious to speak at one of Hope968's Sunday services at the end of the 2006 season. Bess recently announced that he will make himself eligible for the 2008 NFL draft. Grice-Mullins also signed with an agent, after both received an evaluation from an NFL scouting team. With both slotbacks signing with agents, they gave up their NCAA eligibility.

Both Bess and Grice-Mullins decided to forego their senior season, and apply for the 2008 NFL draft. Both slotbacks hold several Warriors records in receiving statistics during their time at UH. With these two slotbacks leaving the Warriors, the core receivers of the 2007 season are no longer there, with wide receivers CJ Hawthorne and Jason Rivers are graduating seniors.

Davone gave his testimony of his high school football games, past trouble with the law, and most of all, his walk with Christ. Ryan also gave his testimony about growing up in southern California, and his decision to come to Hawai‘i. They also spoke about how the Warriors bonded through the Christian faith in the 2006 season, and it really showed this past season as well.

I hope and pray that both Davone Bess and Ryan Grice-Mullins get drafted, and that they will be a blessing to whichever team picks them up. Thanks for the memories of the three seasons we got to watch them play.

3rd And Long

Dallas Cowboys all-star quarterback Tony Romo drops back to pass to try to convert a third down late in the third quarter as the NFC tries to increase their lead over the AFC in the 2007 NFL Pro Bowl. Miami Dolphins all-star defensive lineman Jason Taylor (#93) and San Diego Chargers all-star linebacker Shawn Merriman (#56) lead the AFC defense to force an incomplete pass and fourth down.

Shaun Alexander

Seattle Seahawks all-star running back Shaun Alexander poses with me after the 2006 NFL Pro Bowl. Thanks Mike for taking this shot.

Not so much an NFL fan these days, I used to be a big Seahawks fan in the early days of Jim Zorn, and the legendary Steve Largent. I did cheer for the Seahawks when they faced the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2006 Super Bowl. Nowdays, I'm more of a CFL fan, especially the BC Lions.

After breaking down our video equipment, we were prevented from returning to our control room because the players' buses blocked the north tunnel ramp. Aww shucks ... we had to wait while players walked across the field to board their team buses, and Shaun was a nice guy to take this shot.

Paula Creamer

2005 LPGA Rookie of the Year Paula Creamer gets dolled-up for a fashion show that was tied to the 2006 SBS Open at the Turtle Bay Resort. Miss Creamer is seen here during rehearsals, not in costume, because she just made it to rehearsals right after a public appearance and practice.

Freddie Adu

Turning to the world of Major League Soccer, the Los Angeles Galaxy and D.C. United played an exhibition game in early 2005 at Aloha Stadium as part of the 2005 Meadow Gold Aloha Soccer Cup. Teenage phenom Freddie Adu is seen here signing autographs after the United beat the Galaxy 1-0. Recently, Adu left the United to play pro soccer in Portugal.

It was nice to see players from both teams take time out to sign autographs for the fans after the game. I managed to get my cap signed by both Freddie Adu and the Galaxy's Cobi Jones.

Peyton Manning

This month's theme week is "Professional Athletes" ...

Leading off the theme week, is Indianapolis Colts all-star quarterback Peyton Manning (#18 right) at the 2005 NFL Pro Bowl. Manning is seen here with former San Francisco 49ers all-star defensive back Merton Hanks, currently with the NFL Network. Hanks did the sideline interviews during the game which was both shown on the Aloha Stadium JumboTron and on the NFL Network. Manning and Hanks are waiting for the next game TV timeout to do the interview.

Turtle Bay Statue

This petroglyph-looking metal statue stands in front of one of the beaches at the Turtle Bay Resort. There is another one of these statues at a lookout over the coastline.

Boeing Business Jet

This Boeing Business Jet belongs to the Boeing Commercial Aircraft Company, whose executives were in town for a prospective sales call(?) or a rest stop before heading toward Asia(?).

If you happen to have an extra $60million burning a hole in your pocket, and want your jet to haul you and several of your best friends anywhere within a 6,000 mile radius ... this might be the plane for you.

Plumeria

I got a center spot lens filter, and experimented with this bunch of plumeria at Kawai‘ahao Church, before I videotaped a Japanese tourist wedding.

Warriors Tribute

The University of Hawai‘i Warriors quest for a 2008 Allstate Sugar Bowl victory fell short as the University of Georgia Bulldogs dominated in a 41-10 victory yesterday. The Warriors finished the season at 12-1.

Today's photo was taken during pre-game warm-ups before their game against the Boise State Broncos. It is a tribute to the 2007 Warriors who won their first outright WAC championship, finished the regular season undefeated at 12-0, and played in their first BCS bowl game. The 2007 season also saw Colt Brennan's Heisman Trophy 3rd place finish, numerous first team all-WAC player selections, and nearly half of their schedule on ESPN.

Happy New Year!

Wishing you all a blessed and prosperous New Year!

Can you believe it's 2008!