First regular season journey to Maui a huge success

Brien Ing, Melissa Ing | SL

Here today, gone to Maui. And back the same night??

That was the gameplan for ScoringLive's first trip outside of the familiar confines of Oahu, and while we probably won't do the "go and come back" way the next go-around, being witness to a down-to-the-wire, overtime victory for the Baldwin Bears over the Lahainaluna Lunas made it all worth it.

And helpings of Tasaka guri-guri (5 scoopers!) certainly helped.

But even if there were no pancakes at Tasty Crust, or Maui potato chips, or baked goods galore at Komoda Bakery, or the magic manju at Homemaid, or everywhere else food-related we tried to include on our itinerary, the most memorable part of our day on Maui was being part of what Maui News staff reporter Rob Collias repeatedly referred to as "historic" for MIL football.

The estimated crowd of 8,000 that packed into War Memorial Stadium had the look, feel and sound of any "big" game played on Oahu, as did the action on the field. And despite the low scoring affair, I would be hard-pressed to name even three games this season that were more entertaining from kickoff to final whistle.

Funny thing was that for our three-person crew, photographer Sean Nakamura, videographer (and my wife!) Melissa Ing and myself, the excitement didn't dissipate once the game went final. Due to game going overtime, we had to scramble to exit the War Memorial parking lot before gridlock ensued, or risk missing our flight back home entirely.

Thankfully, we made it onto Kaahumanu Avenue with plenty of time left to make our flight, and breathing a sigh of relief, could revel in what was a great ending to landmark trip to Maui for ScoringLive.

Wanted to take this opportunity to thank the Island of Maui for its hospitality and aloha during our brief stay, and in particular the Helle ohana, Rob Collias and Joe Balangitao.

We will definitely be back to Maui in the seasons to come... at the very least for 3 scoops pineapple and the other 2 strawberry.

Reach Brien Ing at [email protected].