Hawaii should have gone all in

If I’m playing craps, I’m pressing my bets.

If I’m coaching third, I’m sending the runner home.

And if I’m running HTA, I’m making an offer — a real offer — to Dana White and UFC.

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I get it. Maybe holding a UFC event in Hawaii doesn’t make the state money directly. So what? There are a lot of things we spend money on that don’t make money immediately, maybe never.

But the value of hosting a UFC event isn’t in the gate, it’s in the prestige. Hawaii would not be investing in a fight, it would be investing in promoting Hawaii as a place of entertainment.

And, really, look around, what else do we have? Hawaii’s biggest non-resident attractions are hiking and buying property that can be used for vacation rentals.

HTA’s main job is to promote the islands and spend money promoting the islands. Where else will it spend its money? Billboards? Brochures? A tennis tournament? UFC offers an international pay-per-view audience. A UFC event here isn’t about many mainland visitors will attend. It’s about how many people will watch the event on PPV and then decide to visit Hawaii later. Or it could be other people wanting to eventually stage an event here.

I know people are annoyed at UFC’s asking price. But an event is a valuable commodity. If somebody asks for $6 million, counter with $5.2 million (what the Pro Bowl got), but not with a shrugging, inside-out-pockets counter of $1 million. If it’s too rich, walk away without making a counter. No shame in that. But it is a shame to ask for a Ross’ discount on Tiffany product.

* * * * *

Once again, the defense looked good — really good — during today’s fifth practice of spring training.


In team drills, Donovan Dalton had a pick-6, Damario Mclean almost had an interception covering a slant route, and Penei Pavihi had a mouthpiece-loosening hit.

But the offense did get the last word: Jason-Matthew Sharsh caught a 44-yard scoring pass from Cole McDonald.

The folks on the sideline are impressed with:

> Quarterback Jeremy Moussa’s arm strength.

> Wideout Isaia Leeth’s size (6-4, 190), strength and route-running. He has wideout’s speed but tight end’s toughness.

> Safeties Jay Dominique and Kalen Hicks.


* * * * *

Nice win on the road for the baseball ‘Bows, who beat UC Davis, 5-3, today to go to 4-1 in the Big West. Jackson Rees went seven innings to improve to 3-0; Dylan Thomas pitched the final two innings for his eighth save.

COMMENTS

  1. Luki April 5, 2018 2:47 pm

    Tasi


  2. Bowwar April 5, 2018 3:07 pm

    Moussa will be a factor…Just needs some seasoning in the run & shoot.


  3. ai-eee-soos April 5, 2018 3:23 pm

    GO WARRIORS !!!

    GO BaseBows !!!

    LET’S GO BOWS !!! LET’S GO BOWS !!! LET’S GO BOWS !!!


  4. ai-eee-soos April 5, 2018 3:29 pm

    88 Isaia Leeth

    2017: Redshirted

    Prep: A 2017 graduate of Madison High School in Portland, Ore…rated a three-star recruit by Scout and 247Sports…ranked as the No. 1 receiver out of Oregon and a top 35 receiver in the West region…rated 12th overall prospect in the state…had 30 catches for 640 yards and six touchdowns as a senior and earned all-state honorable-mention honors…named first-team all-league as a junior after posting 24 catches for 502 yards…also a three-year letterwinner in basketball.

    Personal: Born in Tacoma, Wash…intends to major in finance…mother is Danielle Mullen of Portland, Ore.


  5. ai-eee-soos April 5, 2018 3:34 pm

    89 Jason-Matthew Sharsh. 6-0, 195

    Prior To UH: Played two seasons at Santa Barbara City College in California…named team offensive MVP as a freshman…caught 22 ball for 426 yards and six touchdowns, while averaging 19.4 yards per catch…as a sophomore, was named first-team all-conference as a receiver and second-team all-conference as a punt returner…led the team with 46 catches, 650 yards and seven touchdowns in just nine games played…averaged 14.7 yards per punt return, including a long of 64 yards…helped squad to a 7-4 mark and an appearance in the Beach Bowl.

    Prep: A 2015 graduate of Moanalua High School in Honolulu, O‘ahu…lettered three years in football…a two-time all-league and all-state receiver…as a junior, tallied 62 receptions for 858 yards and six touchdowns…as a senior had 58 receptions for 925 yards and nine touchdowns…tallied 12 catches for 300 yards and a touchdown vs. Kaiser…the 300 yards receiving was the fifth-best performance in Hawai‘i high school history…also tallied 232 yards in a game against ‘Aiea that same season.

    Personal: Born in Honolulu, O‘ahu…majoring in family resources…cousin of former Rainbow Warrior All-American Chad Owens…has one older brother and one younger sister…parents are Kanai Sharsh and Diane Crisologo of Honolulu, O‘ahu.


  6. AllG April 5, 2018 3:54 pm

    I think Dominique and Hicks could be a really good safety duo. How is Stallworth doing?


  7. Jonj April 5, 2018 4:25 pm

    Is dalton still playing CB or is he at one of the saftey spots?


  8. KOH I NOR April 5, 2018 4:43 pm

    Max Holloway represents Hawai’i to some people. A lot of the fans would watch. From hotels they would take day offs or night offs just to watch the event. It would rake in some few money again. 12,000 tickets sold @ $25 dollars each, $300,000 dollars revenue. It might work out at Aloha Stadium.


  9. Maddog50 April 5, 2018 5:00 pm

    Had to look up Sharsh as it was an unfamiliar name. On another note the coaches with pictures has been updated on the UH site. Some are quick to point out that these things are not done timely-staff was filled just recently. Nice job.


  10. Stephen Tsai April 5, 2018 5:16 pm

    Every time 89 makes a play — and he makes a lot of plays — we all say, who’s No. 89?
    It’s Sharsh.
    It’s always Sharsh.


  11. ai-eee-soos April 5, 2018 5:33 pm

    At this point, it looks like Sharsh and Leeth are making their bids.

    GO WARRIORS !!!


  12. dopaco24 April 5, 2018 5:52 pm

    I think the delegation’s trip to Vegas needs to be audited. The $1 million counter offer was an insult. A fair deal with the UFC would have been $4 million. The state had no intentions of trying to host a UFC event here. They only went to save face after all the public interest. If UFC headquarters were in any other city, Hawaii would not have even sent a delegation.


  13. DaveLetterMan April 5, 2018 7:05 pm

    Howzit Tsaiko’s!
    Scratch Kule Gallop from the roster.
    https://twitter.com/KyleTebow15/status/982119130198261761?s=19


  14. DaveLetterMan April 5, 2018 7:05 pm

    Should be Kyle.
    Fat fingers.


  15. bigdawg April 5, 2018 7:31 pm

    Need to be careful about reports on Isaia Leeth. If he has a good spring, some school in the Pacific Northwest going to be sniffing around lower campus. Damm beavers…Haha


  16. Capt. Ron April 5, 2018 7:43 pm

    To Kyle.
    You have chosen wisely. Or, as Jesus said, “but only one thing is necessary, for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” And so have you. Vaya con Dios.

    The Lord bless you and keep you;
    The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you;
    The Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace.
    Numbers 6:24-26 (NASB)


  17. Hank April 5, 2018 8:42 pm

    I like the way you think Steven Tsai.


  18. Da Punchbowl Kid April 5, 2018 8:53 pm

    Nice post. Nice surprises amongst the recievers. Heartfelt aloha to Kyle.


  19. cappie the dog April 5, 2018 9:14 pm

    Damn.

    I thought the UC-Davis game would be archived.

    What do you think islandman, burro sabio: Big West champs?


  20. cappie the dog April 5, 2018 9:22 pm

    Is Dylan Thomas a Round 1-3 pick?


  21. tom-warriornation April 5, 2018 9:45 pm

    Join 40+ UH fans at the UH-Army game in Westpoint this Sept 15; situated next to a scenic river.

    Email: tomkitaguchi@yahoo.com or text me 415-324-0585.

    http://goarmywestpoint.com/sports/2015/3/6/GEN_2014010113.aspx?path=football


  22. KOH I NOR April 5, 2018 10:20 pm

    UH has no run & shoot yet. The ends are taking the loads. Still too somewhere in Malaysia. Need to find him soon. The go to guy.


  23. Warrior Dave April 5, 2018 11:01 pm

    I’m a late bloomer to MMA and it’s all because of Max. I too was excited about Max headlining the main event at Aloha Stadium. I had a hunch Dana White would ask for a big guarantee but I didn’t think it would have been that high. I always though we were over paying for the Pro Bowl as it was basically dead before coming here. Shame on UFC for forcing venues to pay outrageous guarantees, keeping all of the receipts and pay per view and under paying most of your fighters.


  24. suckkabooya April 6, 2018 1:40 am

    Mr. Tsai. I agree 100% with your view point on the HTA’s responsibility to the people of Hawaii. I don’t blame them for the “low ball” offer however mainly because I don’t think they equate the Pro Bowl to the UFC. Maybe after some research they may see things similarly to the way you do. They will have to lobby for more funding for sure so the onus will fall on more than just the Tourism Authority. Unless Dana White would agree to a lower fee, a UFC event just may never happen here. The Pro Bowl in its heyday was such a cash cow, hard to compare the two unless you have some foresight.


  25. UH4eva April 6, 2018 2:02 am

    ST I totally disagree paying random to shake down artist. We overpaid the NFL and way to high for UFC for bringing less people for the event. I watch all the UFC cards and would be nice to see the event. Only way they are successful is HAWAII fans in thetands and buying merchandise. I travel to UFC cards but would not fly back home for UFC Hawaii. Big decision for few hours of fights.

    Excited for UH football.


  26. DaveLetterMan April 6, 2018 5:40 am

    Morning Tsaiko’s!
    Max out of UFC223! Declared medically unfit to fight.


  27. islandman April 6, 2018 6:55 am

    cappie, wait until today’s or tomorrow’s game before predicting.
    —————————————————-
    Sam Spengler was on Bobby’s show yesterday. He differed with Bobby’s view. Didn’t get all the info, but he said UFC would be taking on a huge risk with the the outdoor fight due to the possibility of rain, even in August. And they woudn’t be getting all of the gate receipts
    Also a tremendous cost to bringing the equipment out to Hawaii, etc.


  28. islandman April 6, 2018 6:56 am

    Sam Spangler


  29. Stephen Tsai April 6, 2018 7:38 am

    New post: http://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=45699


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