Update: Liz Chun Uyehara
Liz Chun Uyehara was one of Hawaii’s first news camerawomen, toting equipment totaling about 50 pounds to each assignment.
She also was the state’s first female TV sports director.
Her combined skills — a journalist who reported on stories she shot and edited — is now commonplace in the sports-TV industry.
“My hat’s off to everyone in sports,” she said of today’s sports anchors and reporters. “They have to do it all. I have respect for anyone doing sports because it is a one-man band.”
Unknown to the general public at the time, she also was the primary caretaker for her father, Ernest, who was on dialysis and a special diet because of various ailments. In December 2010, Ernest was diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. The dialysis and cancer treatment often left Ernest in excruciating pain. Two decisions were made: Ernest would cut back on his dialysis, and Liz would go on a leave of absence.
“It was really quick,” Liz said of her father’s death in January 2011.
Soon after, Liz decided to leave the news business. While she loved the work and her cohorts, of her decision, she said: “I don’t regret it.”
In October 2011, Liz and her best friend, news anchor Steve Uyehara, were married. The regret was Ernest, a reverend, had not lived long enough to perform the ceremony.
That December, Liz gave birth to Jace. A year later, Kayla was born. Jace plays soccer, giving Liz her sports fix. Sort of.
“It’s very hard for me to get a sports update,” she said. “I’m walking around at work, ‘Hey, did you hear that score?’ It’s very odd to be not-so-on-the-pulse of what’s happening. Now I’m part of the coconut wireless. I hear it after everyone has heard the news.”
Liz is the director for philanthropy for Pali Momi Medical Center. She raises money that helps develop programs and services for West Oahu communities. A current project is creating an area for women diagnosed with breast cancer. The project includes rooms for counseling, and fitting rooms for specially designed bras and wigs. She said Pali Momi employees helped raise money for the state’s first 3-D breast-imaging device.
“This is my community,” said Liz, who now lives in West Oahu. “I have a chance to contribute directly.”
She acknowledged her life is “hectic — but I enjoy it.”
She also is proud that gender barriers have dissolved on local sportscasts.
“I’m so thrilled to see so many females on the air in sports,” she said. “It’s a reflection of how far we’ve come. It’s so nice to see these women doing it, and nobody thinks anything differently. They’re accepted. I’m happy for all of them.”
Nice!
Go Uyehara’s!
Go UH!
Firster.
I meant on this blog for me today.
Good morning Hawaii!
PapaJoe’s last comment on yesterday’s post was: Then again it’s open to interpretation.
(It had to be deleted because it came after “the new post” comment. Apologies.)
Guud Morning Tsaikos…bootiful day.
Now Liz has an impact on more people. She trail blazed the sports reporting and helped establish the new norm. Miss her smile on the sports report. Guud Job girl!
off to battle the weeds….
….just another picture perfect Aloha Friday in Paradise.
No shame, SMILE, you guys! Go Bows!
GOOD MORNING, HAWAII!
PAPAJOE2 : “Then again it’s open to interpretation.”
True, but what was he commenting on? Couldn’t be on Officer Tressler.
Miss hearing Liz on the coaches’ show.
I realize there’s a process but since Arnold wants one thing and UH the other, they might as well advance to the lawsuit stage. This rift won’t be resolved in arbitration.
I had to time travel through the past blogs to find this one… Good read, ST!
Great story about Liz Chun. That’s a “Good Life”.
8. — Excerpt from HGEA Unit 8 contract which covers UH coaches – binding arbitration:
If the Employer disputes the arbitrability of any grievance, the Arbitrator shall first determine whether the Arbitrator has jurisdiction to act; and if the question of jurisdiction is not satisfactorily resolved, the grievance shall be referred back to the parties without decision or recommendation on its merits.
The Arbitrator shall render the award in writing, no later than thirty (30) calendar
days after the conclusion of the hearings or if oral hearings are waived then thirty (30) calendar days from the date statements and proofs were submitted to the Arbitrator. The decision of the Arbitrator shall be final and binding upon the Union, its members, the Employees involved in the grievance, and the Employer.
There shall be no appeal from the Arbitrator’s decision by either party, if such decision is within the scope of the Arbitrator’s authority as described below: …
Good morning Tsaikos!
Nice story on Liz Chun-Uyehara.
(Pali Momi has its own Philanthropy Dept? There’s one for each HPH hospital?)
Gib may or may not be a good coach, but he doesn’t seem to be a good team player…
Why didn’t this story come out when the Legislature was in session?
http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/20150529_UH_athletics_ranks_lowest_for_state_tuition_subsidies_in_Big_West.html?id=305495941
😳 Computer’s not cooperating and I’m not proofreading well.
Let’s try this again.
Nice update on Ms. Chun Uyehara.
(Pali Momi has its own Philanthropy Dept? Each HPH hospital has its own dept?)
Gib may or may not be a good coach, but he certainly doesn’t seem to be a team player…
Why didn’t this story come out when the Legislature was in session?
http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/breaking/20150529_UH_athletics_ranks_lowest_for_state_tuition_subsidies_in_Big_West.html?id=305495941
Liz was the best sportscaster regardless of gender. Glad she has found a new career that brings great satisfaction and reward.
always like Liz Chun in the TV sports arena – did her job with knowledge, integrity, and class!!! – oh yea, pleasant to look at too!!!!!!!!!!
may good health and happiness travel with her always!!!!!
still waiting for Shoji to announce commitment(s) from Europa
guess the best players enter the “pro ranks” at a very early age thus disqualification from USA college sports.
yet, thee should be others who can make significant contributions to UHWVB as did so many others in past years.
any “buzz” from anyone on continued football recruiting for UH?
been awfully quiet since LOI day – we knew Zwahlen would be back, but others???
has he grown in height and weight? face seems “fuller” than 2 years ago.
unfortunately for me, only the bulge around the middle expanded – now carry #2 tire – aka, love handles!!!!!!!!
TGIF!
I thought the Uyehara’s lived in Central Oahu.
lived —-> live
ST tells his wife the light bulb in the bathroom not working. She tells him, “How come you no change it?”, he says, “I only report the facts, I don’t change it.”
GO ARBITRATOR!
I remember BigHiloFan2 having a crush Liz Chun 🙂
I remember BigHiloFan2 having a crush on Liz Chun back in the day 🙂
What I miss most about Liz Chun was her professional demeanor when she hosted the coaches show. Her classy, informative and engaging style set the benchmark. Miss those days.
Watched Liz’s sports segment because she was better looking than Kekaula, Leahey, and Yamanoha.
Liz was a terrific reporter. One of my most enduring memories of her was a report she filed, drenched to the skin in the pouring rain. I believe the news anchors pointed out that she was the only reporter out there that day, and I had to admire her passion and professionalism. Best of luck to her at Pali Momi. And all the best to her, Steve and their family.
It’s interesting to see where the news reporters end up after their broadcast careers end.
Hearts are broken wide open in Hawai’i. Congrats to Liz Chun.
Not sure when I first remembered her on TV. But I must say you are a popular anchor. I’d say count the fans, you’ll be happy to see good results. You already have my vote. 378 to 400 Mark Texeira. And the countdown continues…n-1
A-HOUSR: You asked about donations to a specific program and why Coaches Choice?
Giving to a sports program goes in to a specific UHF account for that respective program that a Head Coach is allowed to use for the benefit of his/her program and that must follow the ‘purpose’ of said account. There are also strict rules on using these funds as well as certain levels of checks & balances within the UHAD and UHF – it has to be for the benefit of the program. Recruiting, travel, etc are normal expenses, but sometimes there may be a purchase for something like an iPad – this would require that the iPad is registered as UH inventory to reflect iPad as property of UH even if coach leaves program, if item is not properly registered with UH, the UHAD and/or UHF may not allow and approve coaches reimbursement request
Coaches Choice, on the other hand, allows a donor to give to a very specific item and need of a particular program – such as Men’s Basketball recently adding a ‘Shooting Gun’, once their goal of 7K+ is raised for Shooting Gun there are certain procedures that are followed within UHAD to make sure that the Men’s Basketball team buys exactly what they listed in Coaches Choice. When (UHF) post something on Coaches Choice, the Coaches to factor in all fees, taxes and shipping, if they miscalculate the exact cost they could use their UHF account to make up the difference.
So giving to a program – head coach is allowed to use funds for the benefit of his/her program. Giving to Coaches Choice – allows head coach to purchase the specific item that they listed on Coaches Choice
(UHF) also do fundraisers, ie ‘fund drives’, and proceeds and where they go are most likely stated in flyer or brochure for fundraiser. Most of the time they will go in to a sports programs specific UHF account, but sometimes they may go in to an account created specifically for a certain need. Such as Wahine Volleyball had a few team-oriented fundraisers for their recent team trip to Europe,and a specific UHF account for that trip called ‘UHM-Ath Wahine Volleyball Europe Trip 2015’ (was set up). The recent clean-up done by Coach Wade and the Men’s Volley Ball team is another recent example.
Nice read about a reporter who would lay it all out for all
One thing I loved about Liz was that she wasn’t afraid to ask tough questions on the Coach’s Show. Was fun to watch them squirm. Robert K. is a great guy but he seems to cover or make excuses for guys like Chow.
tom:
after reading your explanation, I have decided to continue to give to the “program” rather than the “coaches choice”
if others will give to the latter, we can attain both goals simultaneously
however, it’s imperative that someone within the UHAD continue to make the public aware that coaches choices will address an immediate need – I say this because I have not seen any publicity on this at all the past5- weeks
a one time shot will NOT feed the cat!!!
aloha everyone !! and happy aloha friday !! nice story ST!! Liz Chun Uyehara had the voice and the looks for that job!! one da best !!
but to me no does it like jim Leahey !! miss him doing UH FOOTBALL!! makes you want to be there !! with his story telling and getting excited on plays !! no one comes close !! sorry robert k. but pops leahey is still da best and is da voice of UH sports !!
#14 … jm2375 … While the Big West Conference numbers make UH Athletics look more underfunded, the Mountain West Conference ones seem worthy of comparison as well.
1. Boise State 25.82
2. Fresno State 36.35
3. New Mexico 36.52
4. Nevada 39.10
5. San Diego St. 39.39
6. UH 43.93
7. Nevada-Las Vegas 44.90
8. Wyoming 49.78
9. Colorado St. 51.70
10 Utah St. 56.37
11. San Jose St. 61.61
12. Air Force 66.32
http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/breaking/20150529_UH_athletics_ranks_lowest_for_state_tuition_subsidies_in_Big_West.html?id=305495941
30.
Sitting in the parking lot outside of the Waipio Gentry Foodland, I remember listening to Mr. Kekaula and Bobby Curran defend June Jones’ play-calling decisions during the bowl game against Houston. Instead of running out the clock, Jones kept on calling passing plays, and allowed the Cougars back into the game. The caller was annoyed; I was annoyed, because it was plain as day that the ball should have been kept on the ground.
Later that week, I remember somebody on Curran’s morning show accusing the broadcasting team of being homers. I remember Curran yelling at his producer to “cut him off,” and no, it wasn’t me.
I had to stop driving, en route to Mililani, because I was probably going to crash the car, after Houston tied the game.
I knew San Diego State was underseeded.
Bradley is a #4 seed.
This committee is so corrupt.
Particularly rankling, Texas getting in with a 30-26 record over UC-Irvine and a 45-win North Florida squad. The Ospreys were 16-4 on the road.
The selection committee can do anything they want because the general public doesn’t pay attention to college baseball.
Please, please, please Coach Trapasso, schedule some team like Arkansas Pine-Bluff to open the season.
I’m not your friend. I don’t care what goes on in the news. Just sports talk. Nothing personal, you’re nothing special to me on TV. For youths, but not for me. Truthfully told. Do anything you want, I’ll still be around and on the internet. So what?
duffer: must be in the boonies or wilderness or something? I don’t get it. Just sports talk.
Any news on DL or OL additions. What is the status of Gus Lavaka and is he still in transit????
New post: http://hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=31303