“Street Rods in Paradise”
A ten-day cruising vacation around the Big Island of Hawaii….driving your own street rod!
June 26, 2009 - July 4, 2009
By
Bob McClurg
Click HERE for photos!
A ten day cruise on the Big Island of Hawaii driving your own street rod or fifties custom? Wow! What a concept! Actually the event known as “CRUISE PARADISE” has been going on since the year 2000. Ah, better make that every third year since the year 2000, as it takes that long to plan one of these ten day Big Island “Cruis-a-Ganza’s!”
Organized and presented by Hawaii Classic Car Cruisers, and sponsored this year by NAPA, along with a host of Associate Sponsors, Cruise Paradise is THE premiere cruising event in the State of Hawaii. This year the event drew close to 348 pre-registered street rods, customs, muscle cars, and street trucks which included inter-island entries from Oahu, and Maui, as well as entries – about twenty in all, - from both Northern and Southern California, - including San Diego’s “OVER THE HILL GANG,” and Orange Counties Model-A Club, - Arizona, Texas, and even one entry, - the 1929 Model-A Sedan Delivery belonging to Cheyenne, Oklahoma’s Duane Roark!
Cruise Paradise 2009 also featured a special guest sponsored by Heide & Cook Ltd, none other than “MY CLASSIC CAR” cable TV show host Dennis Gage who was absolutely rocked to the core by Hawaii’s reknown “Aloha Spirit,” and the quality of street rods at the event. Coverage from Cruise Paradise 2009 will be aired sometime in early 2010.
The Cruise Paradise 2009 event schedule went something like this. Friday, June 26th registration opened at Hilo’s Prince Kuhio Plaza. Then the next day, June 27th it was off to Kona for a Poker Run which ended some 75+ miles away at the Kailua-Kona NAPA store where there was plenty of food, door prizes and great music.
The following morning Sunday, June 28th, cruisers met up at the Queen’s Court Market Place located in the lava fields of Waikoloa for an all day non-judged car show sponsored by the Big island’s Transmission Technology. Monday June 29th saw the group make a pit stop at Parker Ranch Center, followed by a lunch stop at Mike Rodgerson’s Thunder Alley hot rod shop, then it was back to Kona over the Kohala Mountain Road. Tuesday, June 30th cruisers took in these sights at Puuhonua O Honaunau National Park, and Wednesday July 1st the group ran a poker run with stops at Manuka State Park, Punalu’u Bakery, and Namakani Paio Campground. Thursday, July 2nd, the group cruised to Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with a lunch stop at the Volcano Winery. And Friday, July 3rd the group cruised to Laupahoehoe – where the group dined at the “FLASHBACK TO THE 50’S” dinner, - as well as making visits to the Hamakua Coast, and the Waipio Valley.
Cruise Paradise then rolled into Hilo for the 4th of July non-judged car show held at the Hilo Bay front Soccer Field where – with temperatures were in the low 90’s and 348+ cars in attended, - there was plenty of music, “Good Grinds,” – that’s Hawaiian for “food,” - plenty of door prizes, and a 4th of July Fireworks show.
Last, but certainly not the least, Cruise Paradise 2009 wrapped up on July 5th with an Aloha Luau at Mountain View, Hawaii’s Sangha Hall with over 600 cruisers in attendance.
Believe it, or not, Cruise Paradise 2012 is already in the planning stages, so if you’re interested in taking the cruising vacation of a lifetime, you’ve got three years to get that street rod or custom of yours ready. In the meantime, interested cruisers can contact either event co-chairman Herbert Leite or Darryl Turner regarding Cruise Paradise 2012 event schedules, shipping, and hotel information @ HawaiiClassicCruisers@gmail.com.
PHOTO CAPTIONS
1-3. (DSC 0516, 0598, & 0675) These scenic photos of the Big Island of Hawaii are establishing LEAD SHOTS. No Photo Captions.
4. (DSC 0023) Quite predictably, NSRA Hawaii rep Kenny Ventura wowed ‘em with his latest, this 1960 FRONT ENGINE Corvair. Car featured an all tube chassis on a stretched wheelbase, healthy 2x4 tunnel ram GM small-block, full roll cage, and Ford 9-inch rear end.
5. (DSC 0037) The un-official LONG DISTANCE winner was this 1929 Mode-A Sedan Delivery belonging to Cheyenne, Oklahoma’s Duane Roark.
6. (DSC 0043) Hilo’s own Carl Perriera rolled up with his all glass ’33 Willys and his just completed ’55 Chevy
7. (DSC 0068) This lineup of Model-A and ’32 Ford street rods all belong to Hilo, Hawaii plumbing contractor Bobby De Matos
8. (DSC 0072) It just wasn’t event co-founder Tony Rodrigues week as the Big island’s “Rod Father” experienced problems with his ’39 Ford coupe, featured in STREET RODDER, as well as with his wife Paula’s ’40 coupe. However, Cruise Paradise 2009 associate sponsor XXX Towing had their tow rig ready and waiting for any roadside emergencies.
9. (DSC 0093) Event co-chairman Herbert Leite’s ’32 five-window coupe strikes a nice pose in front of event title sponsor the Kailua-Kona NAPA store Friday, June 27th.
10. (DSC 0097) Cruise Paradise committee member Kalen Koga owns this slick little candy blue and pearl white 1938 Dodge coupe.
11. (DSC 0122) Basillico “Tag” Taglicod owns this peach pearl, small-block engine 1938 Chevrolet pickup. It’s powered by a 350 Chevrolet.
12-15. (DSC 0130, 0141, 0142 or 0100) One of the coolest looking Tri-Fives at Cruise Paradise 2009 was Herman Ludwig’s orange and silver Ram Jet 502 ’55 Chevy Pro Touring which was 100% “Hilo Homebuilt!” Nice car, eh?
16. (DSC 0138) Event Chairman Darryl Turner (center) strikes a pose with State of Hawaii NAPA representative (and event sponsor,) Tim Brown. On the right is NAPA store and Kama’aina Motors owner Brian Kitagawa.
17-18. (DSC 0152 & 0153) Hilo’s Roy Goviera built this slick little Twin GLS Turbocharged, 1950 Dodge Straight Eight-powered roadster on a budget. This ride features a homebuilt chassis, Volare front suspension, and a Dodge body and pickup bed. It’s quite a creation!
19. (DSC 0159) Ralph Olivera’s 52 Chevrolet trucks rolls across the lava fields outside of Kona heading for the Waikaloa show Sunday, June 28th. Fifties style truck is powered by a multi-carbureted late-model Chevrolet straight six.
20. (DSC 0169) This early Chrysler street rod was one of the mainland cars to come over for Cruise Paradise 2009.
21-22. (DSC 0189 & 0201) Members from the Orange County (CA.) Model-A Club are regulars at the Cruise Paradise events. This 1930 Model-A Ford roadster was one of them. Judging from the events stickers on the trunk, A-Bone looks well traveled.
23. (DSC 0231) This lineup of street rods at the June 28th Waikoloa Show is proof positive of that street rodding is alive, and flourishing on the Big Island of Hawaii.
24-25. (DSC 0235, 0237, 0790 or 0791) Another outstanding Tri-Five at Cruise Paradise 2009 was the lime green and silver big-block ‘55 owned by Derrick Moreira. Would you believe, this car was entirely built in New Zealand?
26. (DSC 0282) Things were lively in the sponsor’s booth. Cruise paradise was staffed entirely by volunteers from the Hawaii Classic Car Cruisers.
27. (DSC 0285) This wild yellow t-bucket was given away as the Grand Prize at the 2006 event. It is owned by Hilo’s Herbert Botelho.
28-29. (DSC 0295, 0822, 0293 0294 & 0357) Kona’s Robert E. Le Amons owns this early 3100-Series LS-1 engine semi-custom Chevrolet pickup. Truck featured smoothed sheet metal, frenched halogen headlights, rolled pans, and a Koa wood bed just to name a few niceties.
30-31. (DSC 0303, 0304, 0422 & 0307) Hilo boy Carl Perriera rolled out his just completed ’55 Chevy as well as his fiberglass ’33 Willys coupe. The variety of cars at this event was incredible.
32. (DSC 0268) Famed street rodder and longtime Big Island resident Dick Scritchfield brought out his ex-ROD & CUSTOM project ’32 touring. The famous Australian ’32 hadn’t been seen in years.
33. (DSC 0323) “Contrast.” That was Cruise Paradise 2009.
34-35. (DSC 0338, or 0406) Another popular visitor car from the mainland was this gun metal metallic ’32 five-window highboy owned by Al & Mary Rosario.
36. (DSC 0367) Over 275 cars, street rods and street trucks showed up for the Waikoloa event which featured perfect Hawaiian weather, a ton of door prizes, lots of good food and rock ‘n roll music.
37. (DSC 0401) “MY CLASSIC CAR” host Dennis Gage gives our cameraman a friendly wave from the passenger seat of event co-organizer Herbert Leite’s ’32 Ford five-window coupe.
38. (DSC 0415) Island visitor Jim McNeil and his Riley OHV ’32 Model-B Ford pickup chug up the Laupahoehoe Gulch Grade. Jim is a member of San Diego, CA’s “OVER THE HILL GANG.”
39. (DSC 0468) This pink pearl 1954 Chevrolet full custom convertible featured frenched in headlights, and a Carson top.
40. (DSC 0482) Cruising historic Honoka’a Town was one of the high points on Friday’s July 3 schedule.
41-42. (DSC 0524 & 0683) Neil Felton’s black and red ’36 Ford pickup is a real looker with its billet wheel and a small-block Chevrolet for power.
43. (DSC 0561) Big Island Restoration CEO Wayne Krug leads the Model-A contingent out of Laupahoehoe Point State Beach with his grey and black 1930 Model-A Ford Panel.
44-45. (DSC 0604 & 0609) “MY CLASSIC CAR” host Dennis Gage strikes a pose with local craftsman Benny Akamine who street drives this blown 301 Chevrolet-4-speed Anglia daily.
46-48. (DSC 0619, 0628 & 0640) a very hungry lunch crowd descended on Laupahoehoe’s “FLASHBACK TO THE 50’S” roadside dinner, which was one of the high points of Friday’s activities.
49. (DSC 0690) This killer Corvette belonged to Hilo’s Ralph Taroma. Car featured candy blue paint, billet Boyd’s, and LS1 power.
50. (DSC 0704) Dennis Gage goes flip city over Kenny Ventura’s Corvair.
51. (DSC 0711) Guy and Ester Allen’s 1936 Ford coupe was another visitor from San Diego, CA’s Over the Hill Gang. Decked out for July 4th, the ’36 was one of the most popular visitor cars at the event.
52. (DSC 0754) This red and silver ’37 Ford Tudor sedan was another Big island visitor.
53-54. (DSC 0757 & 0758) This blown candy Brandywine (’58) Corvette belonged to Tony Bacos from Maui.
55. (DSC 0759) Everybody loved this red, ’32 three-window hi boy coupe.
56. (DSC 0769) Street rodders, ah better make that, “future street rodders,” attended from all ages attended Cruise Paradise 2009.
57-58. (DSC 0779 & 0782) This ’32 five-window coupe is just one of a number of really fine street rods built by the Big island’s Chucky Luis. Real nice!
59-60. (DSC 0800-0801) Mountain View, Hawaii’s Al Santo’s owns two-tone blue, blown flathead-engine 1940 Ford Deluxe coupe. It’s a real sleeper!
61. (DSC 0875) With temperatures in the 90’s, these huge shade trees bordering Hilo’s Bay front Soccer Field were very popular Cruise Paradise entrants.
62-69.(DSC 0918 to 0925, 0947) Local Jason Sanborn showed up with his big-block Chevrolet-powered F-100, and matching yellow ’50 Mercury along with his mother Jesse’s candy burnt cherry Camaro. “Team Sanborn” was one of the lucky ones to be photographed by the “MY CLASSIC CAR” film crew for an upcoming segment on the 10-day event.
70. (DSC 0933) Local Hilo boy Lee Perreira has owned this ’32 Ford pickup since high school.
71. (DSC 0961) Local Bobby DeMattos yellow 1929 Model-A pickup was just one of three vehicles entered by the well known Hilo, Hawaii plumbing contractor.
EVENT SPONSORS
MY CLASSIC CAR, NAPA, TRANSMISSION TECHNOLOGY, CARLSON HOMES, HEIDE & COOK LTD, KAMA’AINA MOTORS, LUDWIG CONSTRUCTION, YAMASHIRO FARM, B&B PUMPING SERVICES, R&D EQUIPMENT REPAIR, DE MATTOS PLUMBING, XXX TOWING, BUSINESS SERVICES HAWAII, PAINLESS PERFORMANCE PRODUCTS, LLC, BARRY GRANT-DEMON CARBURETION, UNITED PACIFIC INDUSTRIES, INC, EATON-DETROIT SPRING, ENERGY SUSPENSION, CALIFORNIA CAR COVER CO. INC,
THE END!
Thanks to Bob McClurg for the photos and great story. HRH
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