When I came up with the idea to start my own magazine two years ago, it was out of pure selfishness and a desire to make a contribution to my community. You see, with the exception of The Horse, Bikernet, and the occasional issue of Easyriders (really… I only get it for the articles!), no one was writing anything worth a damn. In fact, everything out there seemed to be the same old tripe about what the major motorcycle companies were putting out about their new products. Nowhere could I find anything about the local (Hawiian) riding conditions, or the local rider’s experiences, or even pictures of the bikes and babes in my tiny island world. The fact is that there was just nothing being published, other than Bikernet.com, that truly interested me, so I decided to go out on my own.
Well, it’s been two years now and my little experiment called “Hawaiian Chopper” has turned into something that many people tell me they look forward to every two months. I’m not sure why people like it so much, but my hope is that it’s for the stories about the local biker scene… local event coverage… the local rider’s experience… and of course, the occasional island beauty that has offered herself as a diversion for the eyes, and a reminder of why we live in paradise in the first place.
As an added bonus over these past two years I have also been fortunate to acquaint myself with some of the industries preeminent builders and personalities. People like Russell Mitchell, Billy Lane, Chica, Mitch Bergeron, Cole Foster, Harold Pontarelli, Scott Long, Matt Hotch, Bandit and Hugh King, amongst a host of others… Then there has been the occasional brush with greatness that has availed itself by allowing me to spend time with legends such as Mondo and Sugar Bear have made the ride that much more pleasant. I even received encouragement from Indian Larry before his untimely passing.
Of course, fostering close friendships with the likes of Jose De Miguel, the boys at Count’s Kustoms, and Johnny Vasko has been the blessing I never expected. Johnny was the first national figure to be featured on the cover of Hawaiian Chopper, and exactly one year later; he adorns the 12th issue with a memorial to my friend. The experience of losing someone so respected and loved makes being a journalist difficult…
Since starting Hawaii’s only motorcycle magazine I’ve been given the opportunity to put on some cool motorcycle events too. The success of events like the Las Vegas Winter Rally, Great Hawaiian Biker Build-Off, and the upcoming Paradise Bikefest & Bike Build-Off (July 2nd) featuring two of Hawaii’s best motorcycle craftsmen (Noah O’Geen and Nui Kauhane), and appearances by Harold Pontarelli, Sugar Bear, Big Schwag, Jose De Miguel, Big Mike, Shannon Aikau, and a host of others, are testaments to the support and encouragement from Hawaii’s biker community, as well as support at the industries core.
Companies like BMC Choppers, Avon Tyres, Bikernet, and others have given me a sense of security and promise. I am grateful for the opportunity to do good things for my fellow riders.
Having said all that, probably the best parts of managing Hawaiian Chopper Magazine are the photo shoots with some of Hawaii’s hottest women. As you look over some of the shots that Bandit has been so kind to share with you, you will understand why I work so hard to put out a publication that barely pays for itself. I hope you enjoy these photos as much as I have…
For more info on the Paradise Bikefest, check out www.paradisebikefest.com. To subscribe to Hawaiian Chopper, contact me at alohasports@hawaii.rr.com.
Mahalo Nui Loa (Thank you very much).
Aloha,
Steve
Editor-in-Chief
Hawaiian Chopper
PARADISE BIKEFEST &BIKE BUILD-OFF AT KAPIOLANI COMMUNITY– Honolulu, Hawaii July 2nd, 2006– Over this year's Independence Day weekend, Honolulu will be host to the 50th State's largest motorcycle rally, and we at Hawaiian Chopper Magazine, BMC Choppers, Pasha Hawaii, Pacific Rim Cycle, South Seas Harley-Davidson, Woody's Hotdogs, Avon Tyres, and our other fine sponsors would like to invite you to get in on the festivities.
Beginning with Hawaiian Chopper's 2nd birthday party on Friday, June 30th, at Honolulu's Hard Rock Cafe motorcycle enthusiasts and fans of Discovery Channel's “Great Biker Build- Off” series will join Discovery Channel Biker Build-Off Champion Harold Pontarelli, Internationally celebrated motorcycle builders, Big Mike of BMC Choppers, Shannon Aikau of Count's Kustoms, Jose De Miguel of Caribbean Custom Cycles, and the legendary Sugar Bear.
I am particularly pleased to announce the addition of the wildly popular Big Schwag of Discovery Channel's Monster Garage series.
The Hawaiian Chopper birthday party will be open to the general public, and partygoers will be treated to musical entertainment, great food & beverage specials, prize giveaways, and plenty of aloha making this “The Party” to be at over the holiday weekend.
Continuing the festivities on Sunday, July 2nd, Kapiolani Community College (KCC) will be transformed from an institution of higher learning, to a haven for motorcycle enthusiasts, and fans of the genre.
Once at KCC, riders will be required to pay an entry fee of $15.00 ($10.00 advance). Spectators and participants will be treated to a spectacle larger than December 2005's “Great Hawaiian Biker Build-Off”. Along with some of the top motorcycle builders and their bikes made famous on television and numerous motorcycle magazines, visitors to this year's event will actively engage in the festivities by voting on the build-off bikes from Oahu's own Nui Kauhane of Grumpy's Customs and Noah O'Geen of Maui's Hot Rod Alley.
These two builders have six weeks to build their versions of the Hawaii's coolest bike. Kauhane's reputation as one of the top builders of the “Local Boy” style will be on the line when he takes on O'Geen.
A bikini contest featuring some of Hawaii's hottest women will be held on the main stage. Cash prizes will be given to the top three women chosen by a pre-selected panel of judges. Instructions for registration in the competition will be conducted at Panama Hatties in Pearl City on Thursday, June 29th (8-10pm).
On behalf of Hawaiian Chopper magazine and Ten Toes Enterprises, allow me to welcome you to Hawaii's greatest motorcycle event. This year's rally is sure to be the highlight of the Independence Day weekend.
Mahalo nui loa
–Steve Kalnasy
808-780-2998
