SQUIREBBALL goes to Hawaii.

SQIUREBBALL.COM reporters Tony Squire and Kent Greenway traveled to

Honolulu Hawaii before Christmas to cover the Rainbow Classic. Specifically they were there to follow former Squires’ players Shawn Taggart and Tasheed Carr who are now members of the Iowa State Cyclone basketball team. Though it was a daunting assignment, someone had to do it. So the two reporters sucked it up and did it.

Everything you have heard about Hawaii is true. The beauty of the Island and the friendliness its residents are a characteristic combination that is hard to find anywhere else in the world. So unique was the daily life in this corner of the Pacifice that the squirebball.com reporters were relaxed, mystified and energized all at the same time. It is something that we treasure now and will definitely do again in the very near future soon.

The reporters were headquartered at the luxurious Outrigger Waikiki Hotel located on ocean at Waikiki Beach. The outstanding facilities were only surpassed by the great service. Everyone from the bell boy to the manager was terrific. Mike, I don’t know his last name but you can’t or shouldn’t miss him, the concierge was extraordinary. His knowledge of the Island, what to see, where to go and what to do when you got there was perfect. (Thanks Mike for all your help from the rental jeep to the restaurant on the north shore to the specialty sweets and pastries, you were right on.) The reporters forced themselves to start each day at the hotel's fantastic restaurant where the hearty breakfast buffet was only surpassed by the soft rolling blue waters of the Pacific they watched from their table on the veranda. The shops inside the hotel were most helpful to this reporter for his Christmas shopping and it was much appreciated.

The Rainbow Classic Basketball Tournament is organized and hosted by the University of Hawaii. The entire tournament staff from U of H was incredible. From the shoot arounds to the games to the events planned for the athletes, coaches and media, everything ran like a well-oiled machine. squirebball.com would especially like to thank our contact, Ms.Lori Figueroa. She was one of the most energetic, knowledgeable people we’ve had the chance to work with and she made our ‘job’ as easy as it could be. We hope to work with her and the University of Hawaii in the future.

Between trips to the basketball shoot arounds and tournament games; the two reporters were furnished with a Jeep Wrangler by Enterprise Rent-A-Car so we could see the Island at our own schedule and pace. We would like to thank their expert and friendly staff for their suggestions about how to travel the Island and also for upgrading to us to our outstanding ride at a price we couldn’t refuse. It was a great driving experience.

One day we traveled to the North Shore where the giant waves of legend roll in one after the other pounding the coast

with tremendous force. The currents and undertow created by these massive flows of energy are so strong that you can hardly stand angle deep in the surf without the feeling that you could easily be swept out to sea. The surfers that brave these waves are in a world all of their own. It is definitely an overwhelming experience.

On another day we traveled to the leeward side of the Island where contrasted to the North Shore, the small waves break gently over sandy beaches and against jagged out crops of rock where the mountains come down to the sea. This side of the island is lush and green and harbors some of the most magnificent scenery we witnessed during the entire trip. Of special interest was the 900 year old Buddhist monastery that was tucked back into the beauty of the Island mountains. It’s manicured gardens and serene pools stocked with prized gold fish were a welcomed reprise from the rapid activity of watching basketball and discovering the entire island of Oahu. The trip back to Waikiki on the LikeLike Highway through the middle of the mountains on the island offered another glimspe of the different kinds of beauty that make up Oahu.

We have provided some pictures for you so that we can try and share some of our adventure with you. KSG