Hockey league in line for growth

There’s a lot of room to play at the aptly named 10 Acres Park in Mililani. Youth baseball and soccer teams dominate, filling the grassy expanses with cones and portable cages in preparation for their respective spring seasons.

But just beyond the main parking lot, off Makaunulau Street, another less traditional sport — at least in Hawaii — also is gearing up for spring play. The park’s skate rink is home to the Mililani Inline Hockey Association, offering competition for youth skaters of all abilities.

"It’s pretty easy to get started," said MIHA board member and parent Joe Lyons, who has been involved for seven years. "Our kids wanted to play and they started through clinics, like the one we’ll be holding next week.

"You watch your kids from one season to the next and you’re amazed at how well they’ve learned to skate. Everyone gets to play, the puck is always coming to you. It’s coed and it’s fun."

Games are less than an hour, with two periods of 20 minutes of running time and a 5-minute halftime. Teams are divided by age group, with coaches trying to match ability levels when making line changes every 4-5 minutes.

MIHA has been in existence for more than 20 years, with about 30 players last season. It currently is Oahu’s lone outdoor league.

"We are hoping to increase the numbers," MIHA president Mike Betz said. "We know there are tons of different options for kids for extracurricular activities.

"More players makes it easier to split the kids by age and abilities. We used to have adults, something we’d like to start again. This is good exercise in a good family environment."

And it’s affordable. The annual cost is $45, $20 of which goes to the national governing body, USA Roller Sports, which provides insurances. It’s another $25 for a new player, which covers two jerseys (home and visitor).

Pads, helmet, stick and skates are needed. Many players opt for used equipment available at Goodwill or on Craigslist. MIHA also has a "closet" of used equipment that was donated by players who were leaving Hawaii or outgrew the items.

"And we wouldn’t turn kids away if they couldn’t afford it," board member Andrea Owens said. "If someone wanted to play, we’d do something to make it happen.

"The games are like a family gathering. Our goal is to make people aware that we have this beautiful outdoor rink."

"My long-term goal is about the exercise," coach Matt Tramuto said. "My kids aren’t NHL material, but they are keeping active. Hopefully, they’ll play through adulthood."

Several players have already been playing for half their lives. Kali Lyons and Kanani Tramuto are 13-year-olds who started in MIHA six years ago.

"It’s a fun environment and the people are really nice," Lyons said. "It’s just fun."

"We love new people, even if they don’t know how to skate," Tramuto said. "We don’t criticize when people fall. We encourage them and they’ll get better.

"I’d recommend it. It’s competitive, but you still have fun."

"It’s easy to learn to play," added 12-year-old Braden Betz. "You learn teamwork. I like playing with my friends."

The league also takes pride in taking care of the rink. Players and family members do maintenance, including power washing the playing surface.

The free clinic on Feb. 18 has three sessions, at 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Interested participants are asked to come 30 minutes before the desired session to register and put on equipment (provided). Lunch also will be provided.

Signups at the clinic are for the spring season, a 10-week schedule that runs March through Memorial Day weekend. The fall season runs from Labor Day through just before Thanksgiving.

"We try to keep it fun," Mike Betz said. "It’s not all about competition. They learn about hockey but also about life along the way."

REC CENTER

Baxter wins Australian SUP event

Maui’s Connor Baxter won last weekend’s "The Doctor," an 18-mile stand-up paddleboard race from Rottnest Island to Sorrento Beach off Perth, Australia.

The race, named for the wind that occurs during the summer months in western Australia, is the longest of the Australian Ocean Racing circuit.

Baxter took the lead from Australia’s Sam Parker about 20 minutes from the finish line, completing the course in 2 hours, 46 minutes and 51 seconds.

Parker was second in 2:49:30, with Australia’s Kelly Margetts third in 2:55:04.

X Games medalists at Moto Mayhem

Metal Mulisha Riders and X Games medalists Todd Potter, Julian Dusseau and Nick Dunn will perform at Saturday’s Moto Mayhem 1, a 3-hour event at Kalaeloa Raceway Park.

The event also includes a HulaCross and motocross open to local riders. Gates open at 3 p.m.

Tickets are available at the track, No Fear-Kapolei and Town & Country stores.

On the web: kalaeloaracewaypark.com

Amateur boxing at Palolo

Ringside world open champion Lisa Ha takes on Tiana Sarme from Southside Maui Boxing Club in Saturday’s first bout of the Amateur Boxing of Hawaii card at Palolo District Park gym.

Boxers from Oahu, Maui and Molokai will compete in the event put on by the Kawano and Palolo boxing clubs. Ha, who fights out of Kawano BC, is ranked No. 3 nationally at 106 pounds.

Admission is $12.

On the web: amateurboxingofhawaii.com

Kelley bike ride Sunday

The annual John B. Kelley Couples Ride, an event where "couple" means bicyclist and bike, is set for Sunday.

The ride is in memory of Kelley, a former Hawaii Bicycling League board member, who died in 2006. The 10-mile course stretches from Kapiolani Community College to Cha Cha Salsaria in Hawaii Kai and back.

The $22 fee covers the cost of brunch. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., with the ride starting at 9:30 a.m.

For more information, call Patricia Johnson at 988-4633 or go to hbl.org.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

TODAY
Judo
» Shodan Shiai: 6 p.m., Makiki Seidokan Judo Club. Open to all brown and black belts. Registration: 5:30 p.m. 50statejudo.com.

SATURDAY
Billiards
» Oahu APA: 8-Ball Top Gun Tournament, 1 p.m., TJ’s Sports Bar & Grill, 600 Kapiolani Blvd. oahu.apaleagues.com.
Boxing
» Palolo BC-Kawano BC: Match event, 6 p.m., Palolo District Park gym. amateurboxingofhawaii.com.
Hashing
» 11th Red Dress Hash: 1 p.m., Duke’s restaurant, Waikiki. alohah3.org.
Futsal
» Hawaii Street Soccer: Pickup game, 5 p.m., Ala Wai Park. hawaiistreetsoccer.com.
Lawn Bowls
» Honolulu Lawn Bowls Club: 10 a.m., Ala Moana Park. honolululawnbowls.com.
Motocross
» Moto Mayhem: Kalaeloa Raceway Park. Gates open, 3 p.m. kalaeloaracewaypark.com.
Paddling
» Pdl 2day & Luv 2morrow: 10 a.m., Maunalua Bay to Duke Kanahamoku Beach. OC1, OC2, SS1, SS2, V1, OSUP, SSUP, Paddleboard, OC6. Registration: 7:30-9 a.m., Hawaii Kai boat ramp.
Rodeo
» Hawaii Women’s Rodeo Association: Jackpot No. 1, 10 a.m., Diamond J Ranch, Waianae. 216-7555. rodeooahu.com.
Running
» 20th Seabee Run: 5K & 10K, 7 a.m., Ford Island. 473-7818.
Stand-Up Paddle
» SUP World Tour: Sunset Beach Pro, 8 a.m., Sunset Beach. 953-9702. standupworldtour.com.

SUNDAY
Biathlon
» Valentine’s: 5K run-1K swim, 7:30 a.m., Ala Moana Beach Park. hawaiiswim.com.
Bicycling
» John B. Kelley Couples Ride: 8:30 a.m. registration, 9:30 start, Kapiolani Community College to Hawaii Kai. 988-4633. hbl.org.
Billiards
» Oahu APA: 9-Ball Top Gun Tournament, 1 p.m., TJ’s Sports Bar & Grill, 600 Kapiolani Blvd. oahu.apaleagues.com.
Bowling
» Hawaii TV: Open doubles, 9 a.m., Pali Lanes. hitvbowling.com.
Cricket
» Honolulu Cricket Club: Inter-club, 10:30 a.m., Kapiolani Park. honolulucricketclub.org.
Futsal
» Hawaii Street Soccer: Game, 5 p.m., Sunset Beach Elementary. hawaiistreetsoccer.com.
Paddling
» 7th Duke Kahanamoku Challenge: 9 a.m., Hilton Hawaiian Village. waikikicommunitycenter.org.
Stand-Up Paddle
» SUP World Tour: Sunset Beach Pro, 8 a.m., Sunset Beach. Hotline: 953-9702. standupworldtour.com.
Triathlon
» Monster & Mini Monster: 7 a.m., Kailua-Kona. teammangoraces.com.

SIGN ME UP
Triathlon
» Bikefactory Haleiwa: March 3, 6:30 a.m., Haleiwa Beach Park. $85 individual; $120 team. Add $15 after March 22. Info: 372-8885. Hawaiiswim.com.

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