Tsai-ko Autobiography: Da Punchbowl Kid
Name: (see Princess Leila's video) Bonafide Tsai-ko
High School: Kamehameha
1974
Tsai-ko Lunch Size: Larger
Original Tsai-ko caricature:
front row, 1st from left
From the Warrior Beat blog September 8,
2007:
ST's Intro:
Blogs are like belly buttons
and opinions about Joe Moore. Everyone has one.
And this was just another blog until Da Punchbowl Kid visited and
became the guest who didn't leave.
We're glad he stayed. As both the voice of reason and insanity, Da Kid
fixed up the blog and made it a home. Not only is he a great guy, but
he also came up with the blog's best contribution: the nickname for
Leila Wai.
We don't say it enough, but thanks for everything you've done, Kid. I
appreciate it. (Since I'm out of state, Al and Bulla are free to give
Da Kid a man hug for me.)
Here's Da Kid:
Childhood
One of seven born to a Hawaiian lady and a career Marine. Born on the
mainland, raised there until age nine. Images memories: Living in front
of a corn field on the inland waterway in North Carolina. Fresh
flounder, oysters, scallops, clams, mullet, shrimp and crab. When we
had fish fries, everything was fresh out of the ocean in front of our
house. Fresh corn, watermelon, tomatoes and green beans from the field
out back. Collecting arrowheads and fossils with my brother. Enduring
memories: Judo tournaments. Broken collar bone in Judo. Watching my
oldest brother’s football games. He was an all state LB in the 11th
grade.We almost stayed there in NC when my Dad retired.
Later childhood.
Moved to Hawaii when Dad retired. Settled on a farm in Makaua, between
Kahana and Ka‘a‘awa. We had fruit trees of every kind and animals of
every kind. Cows, pigs, ducks chickens, dogs, cats, rats, freshwater
fish, saltwater fish, a mule and a monkey. Many adventures then,
mountain climbing, hiking, horse back riding in Kahana Valley, spearing
prawns up in the valley. Diving and swimming in the ocean, surfing at
Kualoa, bodysurfing at Pounders, jumping off the rock at Waimea,
surfing the quater mile break in Kahana Bay with my brothers when the
swell was right. Enduring memories: Climbing to the head of the
Crouching Lion in 15 minutes time on our secret trail, spearfishing for
my mom’s favorite lunch of weke and limu kohu when my brother and I
were only 11 and 12 years old. Fun facts: Our mule was a “retiree” from
Kahuku Sugar mill, never did a lick of work for us as was intended. Our
monkey was a gift from Uncle Don Ho and family, (he was biting too much
so they shipped him out to “reform school” on our farm. His name was
Sam. He was my marketing assistant for two summers, helping to boost
sales at my roadside mango stand by several thousand percent. Monkey
sits on mangoes for sale sign, eating mangoes. Cars screech to a halt
to see monkey and buy mangoes.
Childhood's end
Left Kaaawa Elementary for the Kamehameha Schools. Parents move to Hilo
my senior year. Memories/Images. Waking up at 5am to catch the bus to
Kamehameha, Hitch hiking home from wrestling practice. My brother and I
both winning gold medals at the ILH wrestling championships and giving
them to our proud mother. Playing football (third string ) for Cal Chai
and his brother, the late great Willie Chai. Great social and athletic
life in between school work. Graduating from UH Manoa (deans list,
highest honors, mortar and pestle) Working with my oldest brother for
Magoos Pizza. Working in sales and fundraising, working at Kamehameha
(got 20 yrs there) teaching, coaching, and working as fundrasing
consultant. Had to leave Kamehameha due to medical retirement. Hated
having to do that, loved that job and miss it. Coached many champion
wrestlers for the Warriors. Hilo Billy’s most awesome three sons were
among the many excellent young men I was privileged to work with there.
Taught part time in the DOE. Worked freelance in TV production. I was
in the booth with the Coach for three years. Broke several known
fundraising records at schools when working as consultant. Love
writing, working on a novel. Used to write lyrics for Sonya at the Wave
in the day. Wrote with some studio musicians to win an MTV amateur
songwriting contest. Working on a novel. Gonna write a children’s book
about that monkey too someday. Gonna call it “King Pet”. Learned to
love UH football from my second father, a pake uncle who was the first to
teach my brother and I to dive as kids. He took me to my first game in
the seventies. Been a fan ever since. Love the WB and the Tsaikos. Cool
people, fun blogging, many great friends here.
I have two grown sons from my first marriage. Wonderboys both.
I have been married to the woman of my dreams for the last couple of
years. Her Hawaiian name is Ke’alohilani. That means the light or
shining of heaven. Suits her perfectly.