Hannemann has plans for UH

Gubernatorial candidate Mufi Hannemann pledged yesterday to bring the community, business and international partners together to "strengthen and expand" the athletic programs at the University of Hawaii-Manoa and UH-Hilo.

In the wake of changes in the Western Athletic Conference that he said "threaten" UH-Manoa’s "survival," Hannemann said, "there needs to be accountability and that means the buck stops in the governor’s office."

As an example of promoting UH and the state, Hannemann said "Imagine our Warrior football team playing one of its games in Japan coupled with a week of promotional events like a parade down the Ginza, a block party, a concert performance hosted by Konishiki. Imagine taking a tour bus with the UH logo emblazoned on it going from town to town marketing UH logo merchandise, Hawaii food, fashion and music and securing TV contracts to televise the game in the region."

Hannemann said, "In the long term, expanding coverage and exposure of the UH athletic program to the Asia-Pacific area might make it more attractive to a larger conference."

Congressman Neil Abercrombie declined comment through a spokesman.

HPU men open with victory

Chance Bukoski scored two goals in the second half to lead the Hawaii Pacific men’s soccer team over Chaminade 4-2 in the PacWest opener for both teams yesterday.

Bukoski scored in the 78th and 89th minutes.

Richard Guffens and George Fochive scored for the Sea Warriors (2-1, 1-0). Michael Marrs scored both goals for the Silverswords (1-2, 0-1).

HPU women get first win

Meghan Fuller scored two goals and the Hawaii Pacific women’s soccer team shut out Chaminade 4-0 yesterday.

The Silverswords dropped to 0-3, 0-1 in the PacWest, while the Sea Warriors improved to 1-3, 1-0.

Lacrosse clinic at Kapiolani

The Aloha Youth Lacrosse Association is hosting a free clinic Sunday at Kapiolani Park.

Meet at the parking lot off Paki Avenue at 2 p.m. For information contact Kingsley Wong at 721-6099 or Joni Wong at 478-8083.

Edwards takes noseriding title

Keegan Edwards won the men’s, performance and mini-tank divisions en route to the overall title of the Hawaii Noseriding Championships on Sunday at Queen’s Beach.

More than 250 surfers competed in the 13th annual event, which featured surfing on the nose of 9-foot to 10-foot-6 longboards.

Char Iida was the overall women’s champion and Kai Sallas claimed the longest noseride award.

World Paddle Expo at Ala Wai

Timed for the Sunday between the women’s and men’s Molokai Channel races, the inaugural First Hawaiian Bank World Paddle Expo will be held at the Ala Wai Canal on Oct. 3.

Some 250 athletes are expected to compete in 200-meter sprint races on OC-1s, paddleboards, SUPs, surfskis and kayaks. Over $10,000 in prize money will be awarded in the elite divisions, with prizes for open and junior categories.

The event, a fundraiser for the Hawaii Canoe/Kayak Team, also features vendor, club and giveaway tents, as well as family-oriented activities.

The site is the Ala Wai Community Park at the makai end of University Avenue.

Hawaii awarded rugby carnival

There’s plenty of time to plan for this one.

More than 60 teams and 2,000 players are expected to compete in the fifth World Vintage Rugby Carnival, a weeklong event in September 2012 at Kapiolani Park.

This marks the first time the carnival will be held in the U.S. Previous hosts have been Ireland (2004), Argentina (2006), New Zealand (2008) and South Africa (2010).

Play will be held for three days in two age divisions: 35-45 and 46-older.

–Cindy Luis, cluis@staradvertiser.com