March 24, 2023

The answer to the question is: Kona and Waikolo Hawai'i

Why are the Kassers there? Well, they are there to participate in a short distance triathlon called the Lavaman that is held on the beaches and roads of Waikoloa Village, a smallish resort area on the west side of the island. 

Triathlons caught on quickly in the early 80s. You swim, then you bike, and then you run. Now triathlons happen worldwide with varying swim, bike, and run distances for each leg.

The Lavaman Triathlon started more than 30 years ago in memory of Nick Rott, a bike Mechanic to the best riders in the then developing multi-sport event called the triathlon:

"Nick Rott was the founder and owner of B&L Bikes in Kona and perhaps the best example of Ohana and Aloha ever seen in one haole. Nick gave tirelessly to the burgeoning triathlon community. For many years I would park myself in the service bay of his shop during the few days preceding the Ironman just to see how patient a man could be. The Euro contingency had arrived in full at Kona during the early 90s and they needed their bikes perfect and they needed them now, goddammit, not in 10 minutes. Nick would offer them a seat, a cup of Kona coffee, and methodically go through each of their uber-vehicles as if it was his own.

On a simple training ride in 1994, Nick Rott, a man of infinite patience and care, was hit from behind by a car as he changed lanes, perhaps too early or too late. He died instantly. Nicky never quite adjusted to the coming crowds.

For those in the know, the best triathlon held on the island each year is not the Ironman or its derivatives but the LavaMan; a boutique, kama aina, no ka oi event produced by Nick’s widow, Gerry. At the event you can see soon-to-be famous musicians such as Jim Major playing at the awards with their race numbers still written on their arms and legs. If you ask, Jimmy will invite you onstage to sing lead so long as you are authentic to your own art."

— Trihitory.com, By: Scott Tinley

Since Nicks passing his wife Gerry, who passed away in 2022 took the responsibility of directing the Lavaman.

Gerry Rott with her son, Tyson, and granddaughter, Ramona.

photo:Erin Rott/Special to West Hawaii Today

"Gerry Rott, the ever-passionate, tireless leader, founder and race director of the popular Lavaman Waikoloa Olympic Distance Triathlon and LavaKids events, passed away Oct. 21, 2022 at home surrounded by family and friends. She was 74 years old."

— West Hawaii Today

This weeknd the race will continue on in memory of Nick and Gerry.

Their adult children, Erin and Tyson are carying on in the loving memory and spirit of their parents.

From:KITV, By: mathew Nuttle, March 20, 2023

WAIKOLOA VILLAGE, Hawaii (KITV4) -- A Big Island man was bitten by a shark at Anaehoomalu Bay, Tuesday morning, but authorities say he managed to fight the creature off with a diving knife.

Emergency crews were called out to Anaehoomalu Bay, at the Lava Lava Beach Club in Waikoloa Village, due to the reported attack just after 8:15 a.m.

A few days ago we had a shark attack a swimmer in the bay where the swim start horn will blow.

From: Big Island Video News, March 19, 2023

A man was bitten by a shark on Sunday while swimming in the waters of Anaehoʻomalu Bay.

According to a fire department news release, the male – said to be in his 60’s – was swimming about 200 yards offshore of the popular beach in the Waikoloa Resort area, where he was bitten by a shark of an unknown size and type.

From: Wellness Mama, By: Katie Wells, Feruary 8, 2019

I sometimes am asked how I “get it all done” with kids, and the answer is that I don’t. Or at least I don’t every day, or with a patient attitude all the time, or while still managing to get a shower and brush my hair.

From: Tase of Home, By: Lauren Cahn & Annamarie Higley, January 30, 2023

These easy recipes for kids let them snack on what they want and give you one less thing to do. Score! Plus, it's a great learning experience. Find ideas for elementary, middle and high school-age students.

SkyNights StarGazing Program: Using the Schulman 32-inch and the Phillips 24-inch Telescopes, the two largest dedicated public telescopes in the Southwest, we will guide you through a unique and awe-inspiring opportunity that lets you peer beyond the blue horizons of our southwestern skies and explore the astronomical wonders of the Universe. This five-hour program guides you through navigating the night sky with binoculars, to viewing spectacular planets, galaxies, and nebulae. A captivating and one-of-a-kind access to the Universe. Fun for ages 7 and up...a MUST-SEE experience!

This is Peanut! Was given to Zoe for her 9th birthday. Peanut was the only surviving hatchling from our neighbor’s who have few of them. She is 9 years old and she is Bearded Dragon Lizard native to Australia. She loves her life in Colorado. She has lot of adventures, always visiting school for bring your pet day, entertaining tennis kids at our camps in the summer time. She goes for walks and bike rides to town and is a huge attraction wherever girls take her. She hibernates in spring and fall but is very active otherwise.

This is Peanut looking out yhe window for his family

Blueberries are her favorite food and she absolutely doesn’t like big birds that are her main enemy. Snowball protects her whenever they are outside in the summer time. She will go with Zoe to college if Lela lets her go 

Daisy is a Lab and maybe 7 years old.

Louie is a Pug and also maybe 7 years old. We rescued him during Covid when his breeders didn’t want him anymore, as one of the litter had a cleft palate.

Luna is the Husky/Retriever mix and18 months old.

Daisy

Louie

Luna

Their owner is Norman Fishman, a longtime resident of Tucson and our technical advisor, who fixes all of our computers. Bigsby & Willis, aka LittleBigs are mini Bernedooles - Bigs is 26 months and Willis is 18 months. Bigs is 42 Lbs. and Willis is 30 Lbs. They are always together and compete for food and treats, but never fight. They're great pets and they make me laugh.

photo: Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

From: Daily News, March 23, 2023

More than half the solar system’s planets will align Monday in a rarely seen spectacle, arcing across a corner of the night sky.

Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Uranus will parade across the sky, accompanied by the moon and a possible star cluster. While the scenario will be visible to the naked eye, astronomers recommend breaking out the binoculars or a telescope for a more detailed view.

Canyon Ranch founder Mel Zuckerman walks with employees and friends during the Canyon Ranch A-Ha Celebration day in 2003.

photo:David Sanders, Arizona Daily Star

From: Tucson.com, By: Kathryn Palmer, March 20, 2023

Mel Zuckerman, an early promoter of holistic wellness practices and the namesake of the University of Arizona’s college of public health, died at his home on Saturday, at the age of 94.

“He’s probably directly or indirectly helped most people in Tucson even if they don’t know it,” said Dr. Richard Carmona, who was the 17th U.S. Surgeon General and a longtime friend and colleague. “His legacy is that we have a healthier community (because) a lot of his ideas are the ones that have stuck in helping us be able to live longer, happier, healthier and cheaper.”

Although Zuckerman’s death — and more than $20 million in lifetime donations to the UA’s public health education and programming initiatives — cemented his legacy as a beacon of good public health practices, it took personal struggles earlier on in his life to put him on that path.

I’m looking forward to getting some of your personal stories- oral, written, or otherwise. I’d so love to present them to the flock. Hit a mailbox below to share your story.

Hawaiian Day Ending

Holualoa Ed Fit Wellness & Culture 2

520-818-4433

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