By James Gonser
Advertiser Urban Honolulu Writer
As police investigate allegations that a boxing coach allowed a
juvenile to fight a seasoned fighter in a mixed martial arts match last
month, the Legislature has passed a bill with new regulations for the
sport.
Proposed rules for fighting
Senate Bill 768 sets requirements for fights involving no-rules-combat,
extreme or ultimate fighting, among them:
• Contestants must be medically fit adults who have not been
disqualified in another jurisdiction.
• The promoter must draw up rules that protect the safety of the
combatants.
• An experienced referee must be in the ring.
• A licensed physician must be at ringside.
• Promoters must provide proof to the state Department of Commerce and
Consumer Affairs that their event complies with the new law at least 30
days before the event and must provide an unedited videotape of the
event afterward.
• Fines of up to $10,000 could be imposed for infractions.
Gov. Linda Lingle has until July 12 to sign Senate Bill 768, which
addresses conduct and permits for martial arts fights and requires
promoters to put specific safeguards in place. It also would levy a
fine of up to $10,000 for infractions.
The state said the rules are necessary to regulate a violent activity
that's gaining in popularity, and a promoter said it's a step in the
right direction. Even further, he'd like a commission set up for mixed
martial arts to oversee it just as boxing is regulated by its own
commission.
And the father of a 14-year-old boy who was beaten in a fight against
a 32-year-old man last month also agreed rules are necessary.
Christine Hirasa, spokeswoman for the state Department of Commerce
and
Consumer Affairs, said, "The bill was needed so that there would be
some oversight of what has become a very popular event.
"The department proposed the bill because this type of activity
should
meet certain minimum standards to address the safety of the fighter
participants."
T. Jay Thompson, who promotes Super Brawl events in Hawai'i and
elsewhere, said the new rules are a step in the right direction. But
Thompson said he would like to see a mixed martial arts commission set
up similar to the state Boxing Commission, and he would like referees
to be certified.
"I'm a strong proponent of mixed martial arts, and I'll argue the
safety of it against other contact sports," Thompson said. "But it is
still a contact sport, and there needs to be strict regulations either
from within the organizations themselves or from government
regulations."
Mixed martial arts blends boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, jiujitsu and
several other martial arts into one. It is perhaps more identifiable by
brand names like Ultimate Fighting Championship or Super Brawl.
Since its formative years, which were only around 10 years ago, mixed
martial arts has suffered from a perception that it is excessively
violent.
Thompson said some of that was caused by marketing hype. The TV
commercials made it "look like the end of the world was coming to sell
tickets."
He said the sport got a big boost three years ago when the Nevada
athletic commission sanctioned bouts.
Mixed martial arts is so popular here that about 20 training centers
have opened in the past decade, and there are fights nearly every
weekend at school gyms, the Blaisdell Center, at Dole Cannery and on
the Neighbor Islands, Thompson said.
Police are investigating whether a Police Activities League boxing
coach and another coach pitted 14-year-old Randolph Kamaiopili Jr.
against a 32-year-old fighter in a mixed martial arts match last month
at the Dole Cannery ballroom.
The coaches are facing a charge of endangering the welfare of a minor
in the second degree, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 30 days in jail
and a $1,000 fine, police said.
Current state laws do not address the age of participants in a mixed
martial arts contest.
The boy's father, Randolph Kamaiopili Sr., yesterday said he supports
the proposed safety and qualification rules. Kamaiopili said his son
will continue to train but has changed coaches.
Hirasa said her department has been closely monitoring events such as
Super Brawl for years, and has pre-event discussions with the promoters
to make sure they are safe.
"In that way, the department was able to proactively work with
promoters to prevent injury," she said. "The (new) bill sets forth
minimum standards that would be required for events to occur in the
state."
Lingle spokesman Russell Pang said the governor is reviewing the
bill.
Pang said even though it was part of the governor's legislative package
presented at the start of the session, the wording was changed, and she
wants to read the final language before making a decision.
Professional fighter Bryson "The Kid" Kamaka, said the sport is a
discipline like many other martial arts.
Kamaka, 19, trains at the 808 Fight Factory in Waipahu, which is run
by his father, Kai Kamaka.
"I know many kids that like the sport want to become fighters when
they get older," Kamaka said. "We try to stress to them that you only
do this in the ring. This is my passion. I love this sport."
