Top 10 Adventures in 2010… Honorable Mentions

Posted on December 30, 2010 by Damon

Before announcing the final two top adventures I had the opportunity to go on this year,  I thought I would list some honorable mentions!

I really tried to go on at least one adventure each month this year and sometimes found myself going on more.  However, I only gave myself a top 10 list so here are some of the honorable mentions.

- Having the opportunity to cover the Red Bull Cliff Diving Championships was pretty cool… I only give this an honorable mention because I really didn’t do much traveling for this and it came here.

Orlando Duque looks off the Red Bull Platform

- Checking out the Honoka’a Peace Parade and Staying at the Waianuhea Bed and Breakfast was a nice weekend retreat!

The Hawaiian Delegation marches through the parade

Here’s a short video from the Waianuhea Inn:

- While my trip to California was more of a work related thing… I did have fun at Magic Mountain with my brother when I was there.

X-2 The Ride

- I’ve got to include my stays at the Hilton Waikoloa Village as some of my great adventures!

Not tall enough for the waterslide yet

- Of course most of the times when I go to Oahu… I stay at the Waikiki Resort Hotel so I gotta give them thanks as well!

- I have to say that Ziplining this year with a group of media folks at Big Island Eco Adventure was a blast as well!

Ziplining at Big Island Eco Adventures

- Of course my trip to Vegas was an adventure… although it was a costly one!

Viva Las Vegas

- Getting a first hand look at the US Navy’s Blue Angels was pretty cool… although I’m bummed I didn’t get to go up in one of them!

I’m sure I missed a few other adventures I’ve taken this year but I can always change this post later.

Stay tuned for my top two adventures tomorrow!

Filed under: aloha, Announcements, Blogs, Entertainment, Hawaii, Military, Something New?, Tourism | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

The Official Video of the Red Bull Cliff Divers in Hilo Finally Released

Posted on December 17, 2010 by Damon

Red Bull finally released the “official” video of the dives that took place at the Red Bull Cliff Diving championships in Hilo a couple months ago.

You can see the posts that I posted from this event here:

  • Red Bull Cliff Diving Championships (Day 1 Practice) – Hilo, Hawaii
  • Red Bull Cliff Diving Championship Luau
  • Red Bull Cliff Diving Championships (Day 2 Practice) – Artem Silchenko Makes It!
  • Hassan Mouti Draws Pohaku Number One for Red Bull Cliff Diving Championships Today
  • Results of the 2010 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series
  • The After Party from the 2010 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series

    • Filed under: aloha, Big Island, Entertainment, Food & Drink, Hawaii, Health, Hilo, Something New?, Sports, Television, Tourism, Unexplained Phenomenon | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

    From the Boom Cam at the Red Bull Cliff Diving Championships

    Posted on September 16, 2010 by Damon

    I just noticed this clip that was uploaded to youtube recently and whoever uploaded it, obviously had access to the footage from the Boom Cam at the Red Bull Cliff Diving Championships that were held in Hilo recently.

    Unfortunately when it does air on TV, us folks in Hawaii won’t be able to view it because it will be on a channel that Oceanic Time Warner doesn’t carry.

    Filed under: Entertainment, Hawaii, Hilo, Movies and Film, Sports | Tagged: | Leave a Comment »

    Hassan Mouti Draws Pohaku Number One for Red Bull Cliff Diving Championships Today

    Posted on September 12, 2010 by Damon

    The Red Bull Cliff Diving “Draw Party” was held last night at “Da Shack” with Kuhao Zane presiding over the presentation.

    The divers all drew rocks from a Sig Zane bag and then all opened the tapa cloth around the rocks to determine the diving order for todays competition.

    The tension rose as the order of the divers can  play a crucial part in the contest.

    Cliff diver Hassan Mouti from France drew the rock that told everyone that he would be the first diver.

    Hassan Mouti has the Tapa cloth with the 1 inscribed on it.

    Feel free to click on any of the pictures below to make them larger.

    Of course it wouldn’t be a good party without a little bit of a food fight between Columbian divers Orlando Duque and Eber Pava.

    Filed under: aloha, Announcements, Big Island, Comedy, Entertainment, Food & Drink, Hawaii, Hilo, National Affairs, Sports | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

    Red Bull Cliff Diving Championship Luau

    Posted on September 11, 2010 by Damon

    Last night the Red Bull Cliff Diving athletes were treated to Luau at the Hilo Hawaiian Hotel.

    Got Wings?

    I’m sure Orlando Duque has no problem getting leid all the time (just teasing as he is happily married).

    Orlando Duque gets leid

    The Athletes were treated to dinner and a Polynesian review.

    Getting ready to take the stage

    I did find it a bit odd for them to bring in some bagpipes… but Red Bull is known to mix things up a bit.

    Bagpipes?

    When I went to get a drink… I asked for a Coke and Rum… but I couldn’t believe it when they actually busted out with a Red Bull and rum!  Guess I can’t bitch when it’s a free drink!

    Red Bull and Rum?

    More practice is today out at the falls and then tonight there will be a “Draw Party” at Da Shack (former Shooters) which will begin at 8:00 and from what I have been told, will be open to the public.

    The platform at Kawainui Falls

    You can click on the pictures below for a larger view as usual.

    Filed under: Announcements, Big Island, Entertainment, Food & Drink, Hawaii, Hawaiian, Sports, Tourism, Unexplained Phenomenon | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

    Red Bull Cliff Diving Championships (Day 1 Practice) – Hilo, Hawaii

    Posted on September 10, 2010 by Damon

    FOR LARGE PICTURES… DOUBLE CLICK on the pictures. All pictures are free for the taking… I’m not a photographer… but if you do use these pictures… please link back to this site.

    The 2010 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Championships end in Hilo, Hawaii on Sunday, September 12.

    Orlando Duque in perfect form leaps from the platform above Kaiwainui Waterfall

    I got the chance to check out today’s practice and let me tell you that these guys are nuts!  I got dizzy just standing on the platform!

    It is being held at Kaiwainui Falls, however, the event is not open to the public, however, KWXX is offering tickets through the radio station contests that are currently going on.

    Today, the divers had their first of two days of practice before the actual event takes place on Sunday.

    (L-R) Orlando Duque, Hassan Mouti and Kent De Mond talk about their practice jumps

    I got to interview Orlando Duque who represents Colombia in this competition, however, he lives on Oahu over in Laie.

    2009 World Champion Orlando Duque

    Here is a short interview with Orlando Duque talking about the event:

    The cliff divers were all super cool and easy to talk to and they all seemed super stoked to be in Hawaii!

    The cliff divers all got rides back up the cliff

    I was super stoked to get to ride in one of these vehicles with three of the crazy athletes.  I filmed the entire ride from the bottom of the cliff to the top of the cliff so I think you guys might enjoy this video:

    I don’t know how these guys do it… I really felt like I had vertigo from the top of the cliff.

    Orlando Duque looks over the lip of the platform

    Frances Hassan Mouti cracked me up a bit but it was all serious when it was time for him to jump.

    Hassan Mouti takes the plunge

    Media from throughout the world was there today as I couldn’t understand half the words many folks were saying.

    Hannah Daniels from the United Kingdoms at least spoke English as Hassan looks up at the leap he just did

    Tonight there is a Luau that I will be attending shortly and tomorrow is more practice and then a “Draw Party” at Da Shack Restaurant to see what order the competitors will dive on the actual competition day.

    You can click on any of the pictures below for a larger view.

    Filed under: Blogs | Tagged: , , , , , | 6 Comments »

    Red Bull Cliff Diving Championship Weekend on the Big Island

    Posted on September 10, 2010 by Damon

    Gary Hunt of England, Eber Pava and Orlando Duque of Colombia, Kent De Mond of the USA and Hassan Mouti of France dive from a 16 metre rock at Lana'i Lookout as some local hula girls watch on in the lead up to the final round of the 2010 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, Oahu, Hawaii on September 8; 2010. PHOTO/Dean Treml

    Media Release:

    Decorated with Hawaiian leis, hula dancers welcomed 12 of the world’s best cliff divers to the sport’s birthplace on the group of islands located in the midst of the Pacific Ocean.

    Four months after its kick-off in France and five breathtaking competitions across Europe and Central America later, the grand finale of the 2010 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series is now just two days away.

    On September 12 the Kawainui Falls in Hilo on Hawaii’s ‘Big Island’ will be the spot where the World Series winner is crowned, with British athlete Gary Hunt all set to usurp reigning champion Orlando Duque.

    Orlando Duque of Colombia dives from a 16 metre rock at Lana'i Lookout as some local hula girls watch on in the lead up to the final round of the 2010 Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series, Oahu, Hawaii on September 8; 2010. PHOTO/Dean Treml

    Three plumes of water falling down from different heights and merging into a beautiful and powerful waterfall, surrounded by an impressive variety of tropic plants and trees, provide a natural backdrop for the final decision in the World Series.

    The privately-owned Kawainui Falls and stream (ka=the, wai=water, nui=great) was used to power the water wheel that powered electricity for the Onomea Sugar Mill in the days of the sugar industry. More recently the waterfall has been used as a Hollywood film set and this coming Sunday it will be the backdrop for the 2010 winner of the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series.

    The coastal town of Hilo, the wettest city in the entire United States with 5,100mm of annual rainfall, will play host to the select dozen of high diving athletes who have 85 feet and three seconds of free fall to fill with jaw-dropping twisting and flipping. With a commanding lead of 19 points, Englishman Gary Hunt needs a single point to secure the title he has craved ever since finishing as runner-up in 2009 – that of the World Series champion.

    Taking a huge leap from the Series’ penultimate stop in the heart of Switzerland to the other side of the world in Hawaii, this season’s final 30 highly complex dives will be performed in the land of this majestic sport’s origin. With five athletes still fighting for a position in the top six, the grand finale promises to be an attention-grabbing competition.

    Filed under: Announcements, Big Island, Entertainment, Hawaii, Hilo, Sports, Unexplained Phenomenon | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

    Red Bull Cliff Diving Series Ends in Hilo

    Posted on June 19, 2010 by Damon


    Ok… so I’m very interested in where in Hilo they could stage a Red Bull Cliff Diving Series.

    I believe Rainbow Falls is not even close to being high enough of a jump and I have heard from the grapevine that the cliff is on someones private property.

    Anyone hear where this is gonna be at?

    There is a Hawaii resident, Orlando Duque, that is competing in it right now!

    The Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series 2010 grand final will take place in the land of the sport’s origin, Hawaii. The venue this time is Hilo – the largest town on the island of Hawaii, and the second largest settlement in the state. The town overlooks Hilo Bay, and is near to two shield volcanoes, Mauna Loa, considered active, and Mauna Kea, a dormant volcano upon which some of the best ground-based astronomical observatories are placed. A natural waterfall will be the scene where the 2010 winner is crowned.

    Filed under: Announcements, Big Island, Entertainment, Environment, Hawaii, Health, Hilo, Rumors, Something New?, Sports, Tourism, Unexplained Phenomenon | Tagged: , , , | 6 Comments »

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