|
|
 |
 |
|
|
 |
| Jason Momoa--Catch a rising star! |
|
 |
|
|
HAWAII'S RISING STARS 2 |
Here are more of Hawaii’s top rising stars. To read the first article, click HERE.
Many golf experts will say that Michelle Wie has already earned superstar status. The young prodigy is already one of the top attractions in women’s golf, and she’s held her own playing against the top pros on the men’s tour. And the scary thing is, she’s only 14.
Born in Honolulu on October 11, 1989, Wie took up golf when she was only four. At the age of 10, she became the youngest player ever to qualify for the USGA Women’s Amateur Public Links Championship. In 2003, at the age of 13, she won the event. In the spring of 2004, the Punahou School freshman won the Laureus Newcomer Award, beating out other nominees including basketball superstar LeBron James.
Wie continues to set high goals for herself, including beating Tiger Woods head-to-head or playing in the sport’s grandest event: The Masters. "These are really long-term goals, and that’s what makes me work harder," she has said. "I think if you put your goals really high, that makes you practice harder."
Hawaii has always been close to Jason Momoa’s heart, even while growing up in Norwalk, Iowa. The Honolulu-born model-turned-actor spent many summers in the Islands. "My dad gave me the aloha spirit," he recalled to a local reporter. "He’s a big water man, and we’d paddle, surf and go boogie boarding."
Now, at age 24, Momoa is riding the waves of Hollywood success. He landed a recurring role on the syndicated series, "Baywatch Hawaii" and starred in "Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding." More recently, he made his movie debut with Johnson Family Vacation, starring Cedric the Entertainer, Vanessa Williams and Steve Harvey.
Currently, you can catch Momoa every week on the Fox hit series, "North Shore." Momoa plays the role of Frankie Seau.
Although he’s small in height and weight, professional boxer Brian Viloria is a giant in the ring. Nicknamed the "Hawaiian Punch," the 2000 Olympian and NABF Flyweight champion is on the verge of a world title shot. It’s just a matter of time.
Viloria, 23, who grew up in Waipahu on the island of Oahu, has a professional record of 15-0 with nine knockouts. His exciting style and punching power has made him a headliner on several ESPN2 fight cards.
Hawaii has a proud line of world-class fighters, from Carl "Bobo" Olson to Andy Ganigan and Jesus Salud. And although he’s only 5’4" and 112 pounds, Brian Viloria could very well be Hawaii’s "next big thing" in boxing. ©2003-2004 Media-HI, Inc. All rights reserved. |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
