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The Maui News
Kanoa Leahey has done a lot in his broadcasting career since he started as a senior at Iolani School, but he had a new assignment on Tuesday at the Maui Jim Maui Invitational at the Lahaina Civic Center.
Sideline reporter.
"I think the exciting part is just being in the gym for what is going to be an electrifying couple of games in the semifinal round and then, of course, the championship which everyone's anticipating to be a great matchup as well," Leahey said prior to the semifinals pitting No. 1 Duke vs. No. 8 Auburn, and Arizona vs. No. 3 Gonzaga. "That's the exciting part and to be attached to it in any way as part of the broadcast, it's just a really cool thing."
Leahey is the television voice of University of Hawaii men's and women's basketball, men's and women's volleyball, and baseball. He is also the host of the Nick Rolovich Show television show and Let's Talk Sports radio show on ESPN Maui (900 AM).
He has done a little bit of sideline work prior in his career but Tuesday was his ESPN debut at the craft. He has done many play-by-play college basketball assignments for the network. He will work today's championship and third-place games in the sideline capacity.
"The role is just to try to do whatever is possible to enhance that experience, enhance the broadcast, pitch in what I can to add a little extra flavor and color," Leahey said. "That's the goal and hopefully it can be accomplished."
There are famous sideline reporter bloopers all over the internet, but Leahey clearly knew what his assignment was all about Tuesday.
"There hasn't been anything too explicit," he said of the instructions he received. "It's more just 'don't get in the way too much,' I think would be a good rule of thumb, but at the same time ready with regard to what's being discussed in the timeout huddles, trying to get coach reactions at halftime and after the game.
"I'm looking to contribute. I'm in no way looking to be an obstacle by any stretch."
Leahey admitted that he has been "particularly excited seeing my all-time favorite basketball player in the stands, David Robinson, with his son Justin on the Duke roster. Just seeing him has been kind of a thrill, so I'm hoping to take advantage of my sideline reporter capacity to quote-unquote by chance maybe get an opportunity to meet the guy. We'll see."
Bringing color to the Maui Invitational
Rod Paahana said the late nights and year-round preparation for the Maui Jim Maui Invitational is worth it.
Paahana is in a unique position as he and his colleagues "bring aloha" to the Lahaina Civic Center with their leis that come in the colors of all the schools competing in the tournament.
"We bring the color to the tournament," Paahana said of his Village of Leiali'i booth that is decorated in lush greenery picked from his home.
Paahana said he and his team stayed up until 3 a.m. Tuesday to make sure they had enough leis for the throngs of fans attending the second day of competition at the Lahaina Civic Center.
The amount of time it takes for Paahana to handcraft a lei ranges anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. He estimates that by the end of the tournament, his group will have made more than 500 leis, with all the proceeds going to the Village of Leiali'i community.