Iolani Alumni

The Iolani Boys Cross Country team claimed the 2008 ILH Championship this past weekend by placing five athletes in the top 10, led by freshman Troy Esaki (second, 17:31) and senior captain Tyler Mulloy (third, 17:38, shown).

Up next for the team will be the Honolulu Marathon Cross Country State Championships which will be held at the Hawaii Preparatory Academy on the Big Island next week.

The Iolani Intermediate Football team captured the 2008 ILH Championship on Saturday afternoon with a 23-6 win over Word of Life at Kozuki Stadium on the Iolani campus.

Iolani finished their season at 6-1 with their only loss coming against Kamehameha (14-13) in the opening game of the season. The Raiders are led by head coach Ivan Suzuki ‘89 and alumni assistants Kevin Manuel ‘95, Greg Young ‘91, Gary Young ‘91, Dean Young ‘89, Eric Perkins ‘96, Blaine Kiyuna ‘93, Nolan Nakamura ‘92, Clint Onigama ‘96, Reinaldo Pacheco ‘98, Kawika Nakoa ‘02, Keone Nakoa ‘04 and Chuckie Nakoa ‘70.

[Photo: Honolulu Advertiser]

Watch as the Honolulu Star-Bulletin follows former UH Wahine Volleyball standout Kanoe Kamana’o ‘03 at Opening Day of the 2008 Legislative Session.

Currently working as the office manager for State Senator David Ige, Kanoe joined Senator Ige’s staff late last fall during a special session convened to deal with the Hawaii Superferry.

Video filmed, edited and produced by Jason Genegabus ‘95, an entertainment and nightlife writer for the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.

Jamie Cheng (wife of Norman Cheng ‘95) and Bree (Kurihara) Komagome ‘95, owners of Elements Spa & Salon in Honolulu, were recently featured in the Honolulu Star Bulletin for “Thinking Out of the Box” as they celebrated their second anniversary at their location on Kapolani Boulevard.

In 2005, Cheng and Komagome, both attorneys, left the law world to open “Elements”, taking over an existing break-even venture and turning it into a successful small business which now offers a unique mix of products and services including “everything from cut and color to hair extensions, waxing, makeup application and lessons, and massage and facial therapies.”

Visit their website at ElementsHawaii.com »

[Photo: Honolulu Star Bulletin]

Blessed with the “Gift of Gab” from their legendary father and grandfather Chuck Leahey, Jim and Kanoa Leahey ‘95 have been talking sports ever since they could utter their first words.

Sports talk has since become their profession… Now, Jim, the voice of UH sports, and Kanoa, sports director for KHON2, have decided to take it even farther, creating their own show together to voice their opinions in a “generationally challenged” debate called the “Leahey & Leahey” show.

Catch the father-son duo on television Wednesday evenings from 7:30 - 8pm (no commercials) on PBS or on the radio Monday and Friday mornings from 6 to 9am on KUMU 1500.

[Photo: PBS Hawaii]

Evidently, leading his team to the 2007 Iolani Alumni Basketball League championship wasn’t the biggest highlight of the summer for Jerry Tanaka ‘95. As the vice president of manufacturing for Maui Divers Jewelry, Jerry was recently named to Pacific Business News’ prestigious “Forty Under 40” which honors 40 young men and women who, in the eyes of four judges, exemplify a combination of excellence in their business careers and a passion for community service.

(Shown - far left - with wife Enriqueta - far right - at a fundraiser for Representative AJ Halagao in 2006)

With a degree in industrial engineering from Purdue University, Jerry worked for several years in the Indiana area with Ingersoll-Rand, a security company and safe manufacturer, before returning home in 2003. Since that time, he has received his MBA from the University of Hawaii, has gotten married (to wife Enriqueta) and has been managing development and production at Maui Divers Jewelry as the Vice-President of Operations.

A new champion was crowned on Wednesday night when Red Division Champion Team Tanaka defeated Black Division Champion Team Hirata 64-55 in the title game of the 2007 Iolani Alumni Basketball League. Kanoa Leahey ‘95 and John Stepien ‘95 led the way for Team Tanaka with 17 and 15 points respectively. Kyle Pape ‘05 and Ryan Hirata ‘04 pitched in 20 and 18 in a losing effort.

In the battle for third place, Team Pacheco defeated Team Kawahara 42-28.

2007 Iolani Alumni League Overall Champions (left to right): Josh Obrey ‘94, Doug Lange ‘94, Kanoa Leahey ‘95, John Stepien ‘95, Micah Banton ‘95, Mark Ambler ‘95, Jerry Tanaka ‘95

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Funny what you can find on the internet these days… old files stashed deep on Iolani’s servers. See more »

Stage Band 3 1992-93 (shown): Back - Dean Uehara ‘93, Derrick Ford ‘95, Mark Miyasaki ‘95, Stephan Ichiriu ‘95, Nathan Chinen ‘94; Middle (seated) - Chad Otoshi ‘95, Gabe Ishida ‘93, Jan Okumura ‘94; Front (floor) - Alan Matsuda ‘93, Megan Kawatachi ‘93, Joni Motoshige ‘93

Tune in to KHON2 every weeknight to see the finest reporters on television, Kanoa Leahey ‘95 - Sports Anchor & Marisa Yamane ‘97 - Reporter. There’s a reason why they’re the top rated news station…

Besides the news at 6 & 10, catch Kanoa on the PBS network on Wednesdays at 7:30pm where he “talks story” with his legendary father, Jim during the half hour sports show, Leahey & Leahey. You may also hear his voice doing play-by-play during the OIA football broadcasts on OC16.

I guess being a lawyer is really stressful… or maybe its just not that fun.

Law school buddies, Bree Kurihara ‘95 (right) and Jamie Cheng (wife of Norman Cheng ‘95) cut their law careers short to open up a brand new day spa and salon, Elements Spa & Salon, earlier this year. Best of luck to them…

Read the Star Bulletin article »