In the 1940s and ‘50s, Soichi Sakamoto turned Hawai’i swimmers into world-class Olympians. The legendary coach pioneered new swimming techniques, beginning in a Pu’unene irrigation ditch where he trained freestyle Gold medalist William Smith. Today, the pool at Wailuku’s War Memorial Complex bears his name.
Sumiko Inaba stands 5’4” and weighs in at 125 pounds. She’s soft spoken and humble. But the mixed martial arts fighter known as “Lady Samurai” transforms into a fierce warrior inside the cage.
In 2009, Brian Schatz walked into our office on North Main St. in Wailuku. At the time, the 41-year-old, fresh-faced Michigan-born Democrat was campaigning for lieutenant governor on the ticket with U.S. Rep. and soon-to-be-Governor Neil Abercrombie.
Here are the top eight flora and fauna on MISC’s “most wanted” list. They aren’t necessarily the most harmful species on-island. That said, MISC believes they pose a significant threat—and holds out hope for control or elimination.
