Panty Fight
May 14th, 2008 by Braddah LanceHo Brah, relax - not dat kine.
On a serious note, I’m talking about the death of surfer Emery Kauanui Jr.. Haven’t heard of him? Me neither, except for when this story broke out last year (kinda long article but the most in-depth one I found) and I was floored as I read and heard the stories circulating about as the trial is starting.
The basic premise is this:
A packed bar.
Jr. spills a drink accidently on an underaged person.
They argue. Continue. Get kicked out.
Jr. goes home.
The underaged person - part of a “gang” (depends if you talk to his lawyer or not) gets all tantaran and calls him out on the phone.
Goes over to Jr’s home.
They start fighting.
From differing reports - Jr. is kicking da oda guys okole.
Then the rest of the “gang” jump in.
Jr. is literally beaten to death and left for dead.
The “gang” flees except for one lo-lo looking for his missing tooth.
All I gotta say is…frickin’ panties.
As a keiki growing up, fighting was inevitable where I lived but it was nothing like you hear or see about now - kicking in the head, pipes, bats, knives, everybody on 1. I got into more than my share of fights but never looking for trouble - it was more standing up for myself.
Nowadays, you never hear about standing up for yourself. It’s all about someone “calling out” someone for no apparent reason other than you getting a stink eye or “just because”. Do I condone fighting? Heck no! But I do believe it is a part of growing up and there should always be a serious reason if you need to throw down.
As you know by now, I’m a firm believer of codes and morals and in fighting there’s a lot of of “unwritten codes” that has been lost. Again, I do not support fighting - unless it’s done properly in the ring - but if you must, here’s some codes that I’ve been taught and still live by today:
- If you must fight, fight ONE ON ONE! If you not can fight one on one - NO FIGHT!
- No weapons other than your fists. If you can’t fight like a man, go home to mommy.
- No jumping in unless it’s to break it up.
- If Braddah - or Sistahs, believe it or not - calls no joy, you back off and leave him/her be. You don’t keep pouding ‘em.
- If you call no joy, no try stand back up and throw down again. You took the beating. It’s ovah.
- If you “won”, no brag or talk trash. Da oda guy already know what happened and so did everyone watching.
Simple rules no? I cannot believe NOBODY fights one on one anymore. Everyone is about mob fighting and pounding da guy till he’s unconscious. What panties.
Truth be told, I’ve walked away from many a fights but sometimes even being the good guy gets you into trouble. One time I was trying to STOP a fight for a guy I didn’t even like and I ended up being “called out”. He even went so far to pick up a rock while still calling me out (we were in high school too - sad yeah?)! My friends and I were already walking away to the parking when he comes out of nowhere and shoves me in the back. Needless to say, we tussled and were done. My boys were there and followed rule numbah three above and that was it. No retaliation. No “I going get you back”.
Then there was another time at the basketball courts where one guy was playing extremely rough so I roughed him back. He tried to false crack me - missed. I cracked him and the rest of his four boys were on me.
Wassap Wit Dat?
Where was my boys? Only had one that day and he was on the faaaar end of the court walking over watching. Oh, what fun. After the one minute fight,
Me: “Braddah, wea was you?”
Friend: “Eh, was only five of them. I knew you could handle.”
I guess dat’s why people gotta mob eh?
Sad.
Tags: Cracks, Emery Kauanui Jr, Fight, Man Up, Mob, One On One
May 14th, 2008 at 8:47 am
Das why hard nowdays.
I know it’s hard, but better to just walk away. Way too much craziness, weapons, drugs, gangs. All factors that don’t make it worth it to confront someone. Even during some of my road rage moments I catch myself and think “what if he get one gun or on meth”
Just say a prayer for that poor soul.
May 14th, 2008 at 8:55 am
ho BL…you’re quite the scrappa, huh?? lol!! i totally agree with you. i always tell my nieces and nephews that they shouldn’t fight and if we find out their fighting, especially over something stupid, then they’re gonna get it. but they gotta be ready to throw down, cuz like you said, get some panties out there that will hit you when you’re back is turned. even though my dad and my hubby have more than 30 years between them, they’re the same when it comes to fighting, and just like you…fight one on one, man-to-man (or woman-to-woman), but be fair! there’s nothing more cowardly then 5 guys picking on one or cheap shots or using some kind of “weapon” i remember once in intermediate, a couple of girls were gonna fight (another thing that annoys me about underage fighting, how that stuff is drawn out all damn day…just do it already!) and so one of her friends hads her a lock and tells her to keep it in her fist so when she throws, let the lock smash the other girl in the face. even at age 12 i thought they were retarded. looks like some never grow out of their stupidity…i hope all them guys go to jail and enjoy the prison romance! lol!!
May 14th, 2008 at 9:15 am
If you read some of the other articles that were published shortly after this occurred, you’ll find that the ringleader of the group is a known thug who goes around with his boys terrorizing the neighborhood.
Things are different nowadays. To play off of an old saying, there is no honor among thieves anymore. Back when I was in school once guys fought it was pau hanas…friends afterwards. Now you have to worry about guys who do some part time rolling on the mat learning BJJ (BRazilian Jujitsu). You think those guys won’t hesitate to break your arm in a fight? Unlike the traditional forms of martial arts (karate, taekwondo, etc.) I don’t see as much discipline or restraint in guys who train in MMA. (Look at Mayhem Miller getting convicted of assault, BJ Penn–though I love watching him fight and cheer for him–punching an off duty cop.) Recently in San Francisco a guy got into an argument when someone asked him to get him some free pizza and he got shot and died.
As I get older I’m more likely to just back off and not escalate encounters. 30 seconds of anger is not worth leaving my wife a widow.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:16 am
I’m also wondering why it took HA so long to report on this…Emery was killed a long time ago. Just wondering!
May 14th, 2008 at 9:18 am
ohhhh people are so full of anger these days! sad really when you look at it and compare to “back in da day…” when we neva worried about every single little thing. it really makes me wonder cuz i know things have changed and we’ve “moved forward” in terms of technology and stuff but changed SO MUCH that it changed the morale of the people???
) were provoked by the 1 clumsy surfer who purposely spilled his drink on their underaged friend….in a bar. ehh bottom line i agree wit you BL fighting should stay in the ring….and if i need help i goin call you since you can take on 5 guys by yourself! haha
the solution now is violence seems like…someone cut you off on da H-1? you like pound ‘um or run ‘um off da road. someone’s kid teased your kid in school? you like fight dem to teach ‘um a lesson. the McDonalds worker gave you wrong food? you start yelling and getting in their face jus like you goin’ jump ova da counter and attack! but seriously what on earth does fighting solve? and da mob mentality…i wanna ask dem fighting-types, “so wat you feel more macho man now dat you & your 18 weight lifting, angry face friends wen buss up 1 skinny boy?”
sad about this guy…that he had to die over a spilled drink. i’m sure the 5 “model citizens” (i asked their lawyers
May 14th, 2008 at 9:29 am
I saw that story on the news, and I understand those guys are all rich boys.
I like your code of ethics in fighting, but it really seems like that sort of code is disappearing fast. Shame.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:29 am
Truth be told, when you fight, you fight to win. Rules would be good but that’s for professional fighters. In the street, anything goes. Which leads to the reason for fighting. You fight only to save your life, your family’s life, or your friends life. Anything else, you just suck up your pride and leave. Let the other person think they won the confrontation, kharma will eventually pay them back.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:35 am
neva been in a fight, just walk or run away.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:39 am
Yup…..what CW and franskabunch said.
Lotta psychos with weapons and agro MMA wannabees just itching fo beef.
It’s almost not worth stepping in to try and STOP a fight like BL said. Sad yeah?
And another rule.
j/k
In one catfight….ripping clothes is mandatory.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:42 am
interesting blog. sad story about emery. must be hard on the parents. i think dad is still on kauai dealing with the loss. i hope the punks get what they deserve. some of the surf mags covered this when it broke last year. sounds like the 5 d-heads jumped him when emery thought it was going to be one-on-one.
about the other part, parents are big factor now days too. i live and teach in kalihi and we just had some students play in a volleyball tourney over the weekend. they lost the game in the gym, but won the fight in the parking lot. guess who was there instigating? one of the mom’s of the losing team. wasn’t fair too, 6 against 3. uncool, but that’s what we deal with nowdays.
May 14th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Das true…but you no really tink li’dat till AFTA yeah? Emotions first…reality late.
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Das why hard being only 4′11″.
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Well you know what they say, it always takes a tragedy for something to be done.
Rogah DAT!
Amen Braddah.
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Why? I going run faster den you…
LMAO
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Das why we gotta keep sharing our mo’olelo wit da keiki.
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True dat. You fight to win - not to get your okole kicked - and in da street anything goes but it just goes to show you dat the “street” has changed. Dat’s da truly sad part. And back den, we did have rules even though wasn’t cast in stone. Sad it’s nothing but pebbles now.
May 14th, 2008 at 10:13 am
This story got a lot of reader comments when it was posted on our Web site yesterday. But to answer franksabunch, we did run this story several times over the past year. (I used to post our breaking news and remember doing so a couple times. That story always generated hits.) Unfortunately we always took AP’s version…I’m assuming because it happened up in California and no local reporter really knew about the case…
May 14th, 2008 at 10:45 am
BL- the code is so not like wen we was kids. I remember when someone wanted to jump in to help a friend, others in the crowd would stop em cause it was already one up an up beef. As long as no kicks to the head was being had, and when da guy went down, was pau, no one was thinking retaliation.
Now days its so different, its scarry. I’m afraid fo let my boy hang with his friends, go movies or beach by dem selves, you never know what going happen. Not being over protective, I just know whats out dea. But then again, he knows if he starts one scrap, I going lick him myself!
May 14th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Braddah Lance :
I guess that’s just a reflection of our society today….people don’t take responsibility for THEMSELVES. Honor….what is dat? Pride…huh? Being able to stand up for yourself…why, my boys going take care of me? Sad, sad, sad……….
May 14th, 2008 at 10:57 am
You definetly not Korean.
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Yeah, very sad. I tink das why people are afraid to do the right thing any more.
And another rule.
In one catfight….ripping clothes is mandatory. j/k Das already in stone Braddah.
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Now das frickin’ sad….actually mo’ shame.
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Thanks eh Shauna! Ho, feel special now - actual News peeps reading dis blog. Chee-hoo!
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Yuuuup.
You know dat! My Fadda used to do da same:
“Did you start it?”
“No”
Did you win?”
“Yeah”
Cracks.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:03 am
With the rise of MMA, a lot of the fights nowdays are up and up. A lot of the afterschool fights are up and up, but get 100 plus kids watching, so it looks like more than it is. Sometimes they do have that “mod” mentality, but I notice more one on one.
May 14th, 2008 at 11:28 am
my friend used to beef guys and shake their hands later…win or lose. one on one is a must, just make sure somebody hold ur slippers for you
May 14th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
BL - You are absolutely correct…the rules of engagement has changed. Thanks to the gang mentality now everybody jumps into the fray. No more honor of fighting one on one (not that I condone such action). These guys should just “Man Up” and then “Shut Up.” I guess that’s why some of these “losers” retaliate like cowards.
May 14th, 2008 at 12:13 pm
My my….u r a scrappy dog. :-p
May 14th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Oops, I stand corrected! haha
May 14th, 2008 at 2:21 pm
Lance you know when we out I got your back. Then again we hardly go out so in spirit I’m there. Me i neva been in a fight. “I’m a lover not a fighter”!
May 14th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
to fight or no fight… das one beeg question.. I say walk away if you can… it will make dah odah guy tink maybe he can bus my okole or maybe i can bus his so i winnah…
i really do not condone fighting, but if it must be done, den kick butt for ween.. we learned in the arts that once you hit that black belt status, you no use your stuff unless it is life or death… I’ve been in a few fights when i was a kid, lost and won but still came out friends… no mo dat kind tinkin anhymore… da kids watch too much violence on tv lahdat… it’s a shame..
May 14th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
What happened was sad, very sad. Such a small thing to squabble over and certainly not something worth taking someone’s life for.
I guess it has gotten worse, though I’ve witnessed many a gang beat up on a helpless individual in the past, too. I don’t condone fighting but, if you gotta fight, at least be man (or woman!) enough to fight one-on-one.
Years ago, I remember my mom yelling (from the car) at a group of boys who were beating up on one guy - the group disbursed and left the poor guy on the sidewalk. They had already given him a good beating but left him alone after getting yelled at by my mother! I give her credit - I don’t know if I would do the same today. To me, things are a lot more scary and unpredictable now than before.
On our way to Mother’s Day dinner, there was a homeless looking man standing on a street corner, waiting to cross the street. Along from the back, came two young troublemakers… one of whom jumpkicked the man from the back! The man fell into a heap and the boys sauntered off (we also saw the same boy jumpkick a parked car after that, too). The man got up slowly and sat himself down on the sidewalk, in pain. Now, I know my husband was ready to jump out of the car to help that man and chase down those boys… but he didn’t because he knew I would have been upset. I already felt bad about the man - though I wanted to help him, I didn’t - I also have my own family to think about and didn’t want to get hurt (those boys were right down the street) - but I also can’t afford to have my husband to get hurt, as well (’cause as good intentions as my husband may have, he does not have the youthful body he once did!). People like that make life hard for everyone…
May 14th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
It’s just words to most now instead of that gulp in the throat.
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My players seem to see otherwise. They talk about mob fights once in awhile.
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Class act your friend - Das how it should be. No fo’get to hold da shirt too.
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You know, dat goes for all the “spectators” as well yeah? Sometimes they just say stuff for get people all jacked up.
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Ruff.
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Yeah, you know I was going to say something but I need all da posters I can get.
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Yeah, I know you pretty fast dialing 9-1-1.
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As we get older we say dat but it’s the younger ones who are “invincible” and gotta get their “props”.
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Fo’get WWD…WTF? Geez and den do the same thing to da car? I’m sure I would have “done” something back in the day but now get Da Wife and it’s more than just me dat my actions would affect…jus dunno. Wow. I no can believe. I kinda upset now…plus was only two of dem right?
May 15th, 2008 at 6:20 am
Bullys won’t go to heaven…if you believe in that, but I do have faith in humanity and just hope we all can get along.
May 15th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Don’t have to go off island to experience that kind of behavior. Incident happened right in Waianae. a bike rider has confrontation with car driver because car driver neva like someting the bike rider did. the two men start beefing, the car driver gets his okole kicked, goes home calls his braddas, they look for bike rider, find him at store, beat him with a 2×4 kicking and stomping on his head, girlfriend tries to help and gets thrown to the ground. Here’s the real clincher, people standing around watching. NO ONE tried to do anything. Man dies.
How spooky is that?
Then when these panties went to court, their family members was boohooing “dah really good guy’s” OH GIVE ME A BREAK. If my son did something as heinous as that, I would want him put away!
Wassap wit dat?
May 15th, 2008 at 8:13 am
solid article. i definetly believe in the “un-written codes” i was fortunate enough to have a bigger brother who took and gave his fair share of cracks coming up, and as a result i never really had a problem with anybody, being as they knew who he was. but i believe in those rules. i believe you should know how to defend yourself, but not practice by going out looking for action. so many young punks these days. it’s unbelievable. i’m sad to say, but when they step to the wrong guys, not knowing who they are, and end up getting licked, i kinda don’t find anything wrong with it. but thats just me though. one more rule
* know who the other guy is - i’ve seen many a guys step down once they heard that last name.
May 15th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Das wat we gotta do…Keep Da Faith.
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hawaiian gurl:
That story is just plain sad. All about not taking it like a man. Sad.
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You know, Dat’s a lost art. Everybody just wants to be the man and tink can take down anybody anytime and it’s about just fighting whoever and wenever. I remembah growing up knowing who not to look at.