Hawaiian Anti-MMA Bill Goes Down to Defeat
Vince Krause Feb 8, 2006
HONOLULU, Hawaii, Feb. 7 — Two proposed bills that could have
swayed the course of mixed martial arts in Hawaii were presented
today at the Hawaiian House of Representatives.
Following a day of testimony, the House voted down the first proposed bill, HB1963, which would have banned all forms of MMA in Hawaii. The second proposed bill, HB3223, has more to do with MMA regulation, with its key point being the expansion of the current Hawaii Boxing Commission to become the Hawaii State Athletic Commission.
A vote on this legislation was deferred to Tuesday, Feb. 14.
The proposed bills received quite a bit of attention thanks to the concerted efforts of many here in the MMA community. The turnout at today’s hearing from the MMA community in Hawaii was nothing short of fantastic, rivaling an actual ICON Sport or Rumble on the Rock event.
The island's other headlining venue, ICON Sport, also had its head honchos in attendance with T. Jay Thompson and Patrick Freitas there.
MMA and Brazilian jiu-jitsu community diehard supporters and contributors Mike and Chris Onzuka as well as Mark Kurano were also there to lend their support. The Onzukas were instrumental in organizing the fight-community contingent that was in attendance today.
Over the last couple of weeks they had been in contact with just about anyone and everyone that has anything to do with MMA here in the islands, asking them to attend Tuesday’s hearing.
Chris Onzuka conducted an exhaustive reading of the proposed bills, making notes and proposing changes where pertinent. He made it much easier for those of us who don't have the time, patience, or as he puts it, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder needed to get through the mountain of paperwork.
AMC/HMC founder Haru Shimanishi, instrumental in getting MMA regulation put in place in Washington State, was also on hand to testify. Professional fighters Ron Jhun, Falaniko Vitale (Pictures), Eddie Yagin (Pictures), and Molly Helsel (Pictures) also all took time out of their busy schedules to show up, testify, and lend their support to MMA in Hawaii.
There were a number of other "behind the scenes" types also in attendance showing their opposition to the proposed bills.
A representative from the Boxing Commission made a statement about the Commission’s opposition to MMA, though he stated he personally doesn't oppose it. And, for the movement in favor of the bill, that was about it.
Not even Tommy Waters, the politician sponsoring HB1963, was on hand to defend it. Juxtaposed against the presence offered by the Islands MMA community, it was a striking statement regarding the actual anti-MMA movement.
Several of the aforementioned MMA proponents took turns at the microphone and offered testimony to the House Representatives in attendance.
The key arguments included unanimous opposition of HB1963 and its proposed ban of MMA in Hawaii. Also, regulation in the form of HB3223 was discussed. Several points, which would take into account the MMA expertise and knowledge that thus far has not been tapped into, were brought up as modification of the current proposed bill.
Much of today's testimony was in opposition to having the current Boxing Commission, with its five members, expand to a State Athletic Commission with seven members — the new members would come from the traditional martial arts and/or MMA communities because of the imbalance that exists in the number of commissioners with MMA backgrounds and the number with boxing backgrounds. There was, however, support in setting up a separate MMA commission.
What was not said but became apparent during the hearing was a general disdain from the Boxing Commission for MMA. Take for example the late-arriving Boxing Commissioner's reaction to being introduced to B.J. Penn (Pictures) and his seemingly dismissive attitude when he asked B.J. and his colleagues to get out of his way so he could see.
Penn respectfully asked why the Boxing Commission would want to be involved in overseeing MMA. Unfortunately, he was just as politely ignored.
Also worthy of mention was the poignant testimony of the day, delivered by 808 Fight Factory professional fighter Ron Jhun. He spoke with a candor and frankness that clearly touched everyone in the room, and testified as to how MMA had helped turn his life around, having gone from a misled and misguided youth to a true role model and icon of the sport here in Hawaii today.
Jhun actually had to pause during his testimony when overwhelmed briefly by emotion. Although he was speaking completely from his heart and only with the agenda of expressing his deep conviction and gratitude for a sport that has given him so much, the MMA community couldn't have asked for a better endorsement than the speech he gave.
Following the testimonies the House took its vote and HB1963 was voted dead on the floor.
All in all, today was a moral victory for MMA in Hawaii. Now begins the process of trying to implement regulation necessary to run this industry the best way possible.
Following a day of testimony, the House voted down the first proposed bill, HB1963, which would have banned all forms of MMA in Hawaii. The second proposed bill, HB3223, has more to do with MMA regulation, with its key point being the expansion of the current Hawaii Boxing Commission to become the Hawaii State Athletic Commission.
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The proposed bills received quite a bit of attention thanks to the concerted efforts of many here in the MMA community. The turnout at today’s hearing from the MMA community in Hawaii was nothing short of fantastic, rivaling an actual ICON Sport or Rumble on the Rock event.
Among those in attendance were the likes of Jay D and B.J. Penn (Pictures), who came all the way from
the big island of Hawaii. Jay D Penn is head of Rumble World
Entertainment, the promotional company that puts on the incredibly
popular Rumble on the Rock.
The island's other headlining venue, ICON Sport, also had its head honchos in attendance with T. Jay Thompson and Patrick Freitas there.
MMA and Brazilian jiu-jitsu community diehard supporters and contributors Mike and Chris Onzuka as well as Mark Kurano were also there to lend their support. The Onzukas were instrumental in organizing the fight-community contingent that was in attendance today.
Over the last couple of weeks they had been in contact with just about anyone and everyone that has anything to do with MMA here in the islands, asking them to attend Tuesday’s hearing.
Chris Onzuka conducted an exhaustive reading of the proposed bills, making notes and proposing changes where pertinent. He made it much easier for those of us who don't have the time, patience, or as he puts it, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder needed to get through the mountain of paperwork.
AMC/HMC founder Haru Shimanishi, instrumental in getting MMA regulation put in place in Washington State, was also on hand to testify. Professional fighters Ron Jhun, Falaniko Vitale (Pictures), Eddie Yagin (Pictures), and Molly Helsel (Pictures) also all took time out of their busy schedules to show up, testify, and lend their support to MMA in Hawaii.
There were a number of other "behind the scenes" types also in attendance showing their opposition to the proposed bills.
A representative from the Boxing Commission made a statement about the Commission’s opposition to MMA, though he stated he personally doesn't oppose it. And, for the movement in favor of the bill, that was about it.
Not even Tommy Waters, the politician sponsoring HB1963, was on hand to defend it. Juxtaposed against the presence offered by the Islands MMA community, it was a striking statement regarding the actual anti-MMA movement.
Several of the aforementioned MMA proponents took turns at the microphone and offered testimony to the House Representatives in attendance.
The key arguments included unanimous opposition of HB1963 and its proposed ban of MMA in Hawaii. Also, regulation in the form of HB3223 was discussed. Several points, which would take into account the MMA expertise and knowledge that thus far has not been tapped into, were brought up as modification of the current proposed bill.
Much of today's testimony was in opposition to having the current Boxing Commission, with its five members, expand to a State Athletic Commission with seven members — the new members would come from the traditional martial arts and/or MMA communities because of the imbalance that exists in the number of commissioners with MMA backgrounds and the number with boxing backgrounds. There was, however, support in setting up a separate MMA commission.
What was not said but became apparent during the hearing was a general disdain from the Boxing Commission for MMA. Take for example the late-arriving Boxing Commissioner's reaction to being introduced to B.J. Penn (Pictures) and his seemingly dismissive attitude when he asked B.J. and his colleagues to get out of his way so he could see.
Penn respectfully asked why the Boxing Commission would want to be involved in overseeing MMA. Unfortunately, he was just as politely ignored.
Also worthy of mention was the poignant testimony of the day, delivered by 808 Fight Factory professional fighter Ron Jhun. He spoke with a candor and frankness that clearly touched everyone in the room, and testified as to how MMA had helped turn his life around, having gone from a misled and misguided youth to a true role model and icon of the sport here in Hawaii today.
Jhun actually had to pause during his testimony when overwhelmed briefly by emotion. Although he was speaking completely from his heart and only with the agenda of expressing his deep conviction and gratitude for a sport that has given him so much, the MMA community couldn't have asked for a better endorsement than the speech he gave.
Following the testimonies the House took its vote and HB1963 was voted dead on the floor.
All in all, today was a moral victory for MMA in Hawaii. Now begins the process of trying to implement regulation necessary to run this industry the best way possible.
