sports

Sports fans are likely looking forward to a couple of dates later this month. Major League Baseball is scheduled to open its season in two weeks — while the National Basketball Association plans to get underway a week later.

But in Asia, sports are adding a component the U.S. won't have: fans in the stands.

There's a lot happening with sports in Hawaiʻi right now, but industry leaders think there could be more.

What do you get when you combine American football, rugby, soccer, and a few other sports into one? A little game called Australian Rules Football. It’s one of the most popular, and rough, sports from the Land Down Under.

But the game isn’t confined to its native land. The US Australian Football League held its national finals in Wisconsin this past week and a Hawaii resident was on the championship team. He’s part of a local club trying to bring Aussie Rules to Hawaii.

Volcano notwithstanding, Hilo’s Paradise Roller Girls pulled off the 2nd Annual Big Island Brawl last month, with roller derby teams from across the state competing.  O‘ahu’s spunky team, Pacific Roller Derby, was there, and once a month they invite their Honolulu fans to a game.  HPR’s Noe Tanigawa offers this report from the Coast Guard’s Hideaway Club at Kalaeloa.

Surfing isn’t the only sport with a history in Hawai’i. Polo has been in the islands since Hawaiʻi was a kingdom. This Sunday, professional players from around the world honor that history at the Hawaiʻi Spring Invitational of Polo. HPR’s Kuʻuwehi Hiraishi reports.

Professional soccer is once again trying to find a foothold in Hawai‘i. Organizers of this week’s Pacific Rim Cup hope to make Hawai’i the international east-meets-west sporting venue. HPR’s Ku’uwehi Hiraishi reports.

  The business of sports could mean big money for Hawaii but not everyone agrees on who should be in charge of landing the hot-ticket games. Pacific Business News Editor in Chief A. Kam Napier has more on what it means for local businesses.

While the Chicago Cubs and the Cleveland Indians battle it out for Major League Baseball’s crown, they’re far from the only baseball teams still on the field.  Despite the name of the “World Series” there are at least three other pro leagues playing for championships right now—in Asia. HPR’s Bill Dorman has details in today’s Asia Minute.

Update: Due to Tropical Storm Darby, polo and the Jeff Peterson concert have been canceled for this weekend.  The schedule will resume next week. 

For 53 years the Hawai‘i Polo Club has hosted matches on its field on Oahu’s North Shore.

The organization hosts 3 polo matches each Sunday during its 4 month season which is currently running until September with teams and players from around the world fly in to compete against local teams from each Hawaiian island.

When David Matlin starts his new job as the University of Hawaii athletic director on April 27, he’ll have some big problems to solve. With a look at Matlin’s background, the challenges ahead, here’s PBN editor in chief A. Kam Napier. 

This will be another busy weekend in the world of college basketball, as March Madness continues to move toward the championship game a week from Monday. But in parts of Asia, many sports fans will be focused elsewhere this weekend. HPR’s Bill Dorman explains in today’s Asia Minute.

  The holiday season is an exciting time for football fans. The NFL season is approaching the playoffs and this year, so are the top college teams. But even the biggest fans may not know about the playoff season for football in Japan. HPR’s Bill Dorman explains in today’s Asia Minute.

  In recent days, Japan’s government announced the country’s economy stumbled in the second quarter, largely because of an increase in the consumption tax. This week, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is on the road again this time traveling to Sri Lanka. But the biggest recent front page news in Japan has been another story entirely. HPR’s Bill Dorman explains in today’s Asia Minute.