Hawaii, US: 1924-1929
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1924
MARCH 1924
MARCH 1, 1924 (SATURDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Tommy Dawson was arrested
Notes:
Dawson was a wrestler and a boxer.
He was charged with being in violation of the Volstead Act during alcohol raids on the Winston block on River Street in Honolulu.
Dwason was reportedly working as a bartender in one of the "booze joints."
Dawson is said to have recently been hospitalized after attempting suicide.
APRIL 1924
APRIL 2, 1924 (WEDNESDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Kinjo Ikeda left here
Notes:
He will take part in a series of sumo tournaments in California.
The troupe he left with included: “Sendagawa” Kashiwabara, “Matsunomori” Matsunaga, “Chitosegawa” Takayama, and “Kuwaneyumi” Sakata.
The troupe had planned to leave earlier, but had encountered some immigration problems.
APRIL 30, 1924 (WEDNESDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
The Hawaiian sumo troupe has returned here
Notes:
They were taking part in a series of tournament on the mainland.
Kinjo Ikeda stayed behind as a wrestling match was arranged between him and Johnny Maurus.
NOVEMBER 1924
NOVEMBER 3, 1924 (MONDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Ted Thye hopes to wrestle here on his way back from Australia
Notes:
He is from Portland, Oregon.
1925
MARCH 1925
MARCH 15, 1925 (SUNDAY)
Promoter: J. Asham Beaven
Moliili Field - Baseball Park, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referee: Kotayama
1 - Catch-as-Catch-Can
Kid Lee def. H. Tarumoto
2 - Catch-as-Catch-Can
K. Murakami Vs. Louis Mendonca,
Draw
3 - Exhibition - Jiu-Jitsu
Tanaka Vs. Yamasshiro,
Result Unknown
4 - Catch-as-Catch-Can
Leo Paoha Vs. Ben Naeole,
Draw
5 - Jiu-Jitsu
Professor Tsutao Higami def. Pete Sauer "The Phoenix Whirlwind", [Ray Steele]
Two Falls to One (F1 PS 00:22:15 - F2 TH 00:17:30 - F3 TH 00:17:06 - C 00:56:51)
Notes:
Professional wrestling is revived in Hawaii
Higami weighed 170 pounds.
Sauer weighed about 195lbs.
Sauer won the first fall with a head scissors and toehold at 22:15.
Higami won the second and third with strangleholds.
Poaha and Naeole were Honolulu policemen.
William M. “Gunner” Hill was introduced to the crowd and issued a challenge to wrestle at 158 pounds.
Motorcycle policeman Jimmy Fernandez accepted the defi.
MARCH 28 1925 (SATURDAY)
Honolulu Theater, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 - Pete Sauer Vs. Ben Naeole,
Result Unknown
2 - Handicap
Tsutao Higami Vs. Leo Poaha,
Result Unknown
Notes:
Plus Preliminaries.
MAY 1925
MAY 6, 1925 (WEDNESDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Promoter, J. Ashman Beaven made an announcement
Notes:
Ad Santel had accepted his offer for two matches in Hawaii, including one versus Tsutao Higami.
JUNE 1925
JUNE 20, 1925 (SATURDAY)
Field Baseball Park, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 2,000
Referee: Kitayama
1 - Jiu-Jitsu
Yokisa def. Okada
2 - Catch-as-Catch-Can
Kid Lee Vs. Jack Mendonca,
Draw
3 - Catch-as-Catch-Can
Gunner Hill def. Yamashita
4 - Mixed Styles - Jiu-Jitsu Vs. Catch-as-Catch-Can
Professor Tsutao Higami Vs. Ad Santel,
Draw - One Fall Each (R1 AS 00:09:00 - R2 00:30:00 - R3 TH 00:07:00 - C 00:46:00)
Notes:
Higami was allowed to use jiu-jitsu throughout the contest.
Santel won the first fall with a headlock.
Higami forced a submission with a strangle hold in the 3rd round.
With one fall each, the bout was declared a draw.
There was talk of a rematch.
Santel was billed as the Pacific Coast light-heavyweight champion.
Santel weighed around 185 pounds.
HIgami was 170 pounds.
“The mixed bouts between jiu-jitsu experts and catch-as-catch-can wrestlers are always popular and wrestling fans are often surprised to see their favorite mat artist helpless in the hands of a jiu-jitsu expert about half his size.” - The Star-Bulletin
”Those who saw the Higami-Santel affair may have enjoyed the spectacle, the frantic efforts of a good, little man trying to keep from getting strangled to death by a good, big man. The wrestlers were poorly matched, the weight difference was too much.”
JUNE 23, 1925 (TUESDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Abe the Newsboy challenge to wrestle "Cyclone Burns" of Schofield Barracks.
JULY 1925
JULY 4, 1925 (SATURDAY)
Hilo, Hawaii
1 - Mixed Style
Ad Santel def. Higami
Notes:
Henry Seishiro Okazaki challenged Santel.
JULY 18, 1925 (SATURDAY)
Hilo Armory, Hilo, Hawaii
1 - Ad Santel Vs. Henry Seishiro Okaaki,
Result Unknown
Notes:
Okazaki is called “the jujitsu instructor at the Hilo Shinyu Kai and 42 other Japanese jujitsu schools throughout the island.” - The Star-Bulletin
JULY 24, 1925 (SATURDAY)
Pioneer Theater, Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii
1 - Catch-as-Catch-Can
Henry Oana Vs. Shikainada,
Draw
2 - Catch-as-Catch-Can
Masurao Vs. Sam "Kid Blood" Koko,
Draw
3 - Catch-as-Catch-Can
Tetsuo Higami def. David Sharpe
4 - Catch-as-Catch-Can
Ad Santel Vs. Manuel "Kahuku" Rodrigues,
Draw
Notes:
Santel and HIgami had appeared on the stage on a previous night and challenged all comers.
Rodrigues was a 230lb all-around athlete and was reputed to be “the strongest man in West Maui.”
Sharpe was a motorcycle cop.
Masurao was called “the Lahaina Japanese champion.”
Koko was billed as “the Lahaina National Guard champion.”
HIgami challenged Rodrigues to wrestle and the latter accepted.
[Oana was Rodrigues’ son, and later became a baseball star]
AUGUST 1925
AUGUST 22, 1925 (SATURDAY)
Japanese Union Hall, Holualoa, Hawaii
1 - Exhibition
Tetsuo Higami Vs. Henry Seishiro Okazaki,
Result Unknown
AUGUST 29, 1925 (SATURDAY)
Promoter: Ben Stoddard
Matchmaker: George L. Young
Hilo Armory, Hilo, Hawaii
Referee: Earl Dugin
1 - Mixed Styles
Tetsuo Higami def. Gunner Hill,
(R1 ??:??:?? - R2 TH 00:26:00 - C 00:26:00+)
Higami forced Hill to give up with a body scissors and arm lock in the second round.
SEPTEMBER 1925
SEPTEMBER 11, 1925 (FRIDAY)
Homura Hall, Kealakehua - South Kona, Honolulu, Hawaii
Attendance: 600
1 - Boxing
???? Vs. ????,
Result Unknown
2 - Three Fifteen Minute Rounds
Tetsuo Higami def. Charles Lopez,
Two Falls to None
Notes:
Higami won both falls via submission with arm locks.
The Kona team beat the Kohala district team in a Jiu-Jitsu tournament.
SEPTEMBER 19, 1925 (SATURDAY)
Holualoa, Hawaii
1 - Jiu-Jitsu - Three Fifteen Minute Rounds
Tetsuo Higami Vs. Johnny Solomon,
Draw
Notes:
Solomon weighed 215lbs and was of Kohala.
Higami weighed 170lbs.
OCTOBER 1925
OCTOBER 11, 1925 (SUNDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Al Karasick "The Russian Lion" passed through here
Notes:
He was heading back to the mainland following a successful tour of Australia.
[Karasick was later the main promoter in Hawaii]
DECEMBER 1925
DECEMBER 12, 1925 (SATURDAY)
Yuaku-Kwan Theater, Hilo, Hawaii
Attendance: 1,800
Referees: Jimmy Flynn (boxing) & K. Yamagawa (Jiu-Jitsu)
1 - Jiu-Jitsu
Araki def. Yabuta
2 - Jiu-Jitsu
Ito Vs. Kunimoto,
Draw
3 - Jiu-Jitsu
Higa def. Kawabata
4 - Jiu-Jitsu
Shishida def. Kukodo
5 - Jiu-Jitsu
Kawasake Vs. Miyamoto,
Draw
6 - Boxing
Yioung Watai def. Union Kuratsu
7 - Boxing
Speed Yama def. Battling Semando,
Decision (4 Rounds)
8 - Mixed Styles - Boxing Vs. Jiu-Jitsu
Johnny "Kid" Morris Vs. Henry Seishiro Okazaki,
No Decision (R1 00:05:00 - R2 00:05:00 - R3 00:05:00 - C 00:15:00)
9 - Mixed Styles - Jiu-Jitsu Vs. Boxing
Tetsuo Higami def. Johnny "Kid" Morris
(Round 2)
Notes:
The scheduled main event between Morris and Okazaki ended when Okazaki refused to continue, claiming he had only agreed to fight for three rounds.
Morris was willing to continue.
“What there was of the Morris Vs. Okazaki affair was good. Morris had it all to his advantage all the way through, landing blows on the jui jitsu expert’s face almost at will. Arm holds, head holds and body locks were broken with ease by the white man, who appeared to be as expert at wrestling as he was at using his mits. His footwork was good, but the padded floor, unrosened, was a disadvantage.”
Following Okazaki’s refusal to continue, the fans were in a frenzy, refusing to leave and demanding their money back.
After over two hours of uproar, Higami volunteered to go on and Morris was brought back from his hotel.
After a struggle, Higami defeated the leather-throwing boxer with an arm hold.
”Morris had everything his own way in the first round of the substitute fight, delivering some smashing blows to the wrestler’s face, which was considerably battered.” - The Star-Bulletin
Flynn was Morris’ manager.
1926
FEBRUARY 1926
FEBRUARY 23, 1926 (TUESDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Johnny Solomon issued a challenge
Notes:
It's too Professor Tetsuo Higami to meet in either a wrestling or Jiu-Jitsu match.
He also challenged Isuke Shinmen to a mixed match, with him using either wrestling or boxing against Shinmen’s jiu-jitsu.
”Match can be staged either for admission or free.”
Solomon weighs 220 pounds, specializes in jiu-jitsu and plans to tour the mainland pro wrestling circuit soon.
The challenge was published in both the Honolulu Advertiser and the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
Shinmen, a Japanese jiu-jitsu expert had been sent to Honolulu to learn American wrestling.
He will head to Columbia University for continued instructiuon.
The Japanese Athletic Association hopes to enter him into the next Olympic Games.
FEBRUARY 1926
FEBRUARY 23, 1926 (TUESDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Johnny Solomon issued a challenge
Notes:
It's too Professor Tetsuo Higami to meet in either a wrestling or Jiu-Jitsu match.
He also challenged Isuke Shinmen to a mixed match, with him using either wrestling or boxing against Shinmen’s jiu-jitsu.
”Match can be staged either for admission or free.”
Solomon weighs 220 pounds, specializes in jiu-jitsu and plans to tour the mainland pro wrestling circuit soon.
The challenge was published in both the Honolulu Advertiser and the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
Shinmen, a Japanese jiu-jitsu expert had been sent to Honolulu to learn American wrestling.
He will head to Columbia University for continued instructiuon.
The Japanese Athletic Association hopes to enter him into the next Olympic Games.
JUNE 1926
JUNE 9, 1926 (WEDNESDAY)
Promoter: Doc Adams
Princess Theater, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referee: Dr. Witherington
1 - Demonstration of Holds Used Against Ed "Strangler" Lewis & Wayne Munn
By Stanislaus Zbyszko
2 - Exhibition
Stranislaus Zbyszko Vs. Frank Judson,
Result Unknown (R1 00:12:00 - R2 00:12:00 - R3 00:12:00 - C 00:36:00)
Notes:
Zibby and Judson were passing through Hawaii on their way to Australia.
Zbyszko challenged “to meet any wrestler in the world”, and defied anyone in the audience to come forward and attempt to pin him.
There were no takers.
He stated that catch-as-catch-can wrestling is “the greatest sport there is...a good wrestler using that form of wrestling can defeat the best boxers or jiu-jitsu artists.” - The Star-Bulletin
JUNE 20, 1926 (SUNDAY)
Orpheum Theater, Wailuku, Maui
1 - Sunda def. Kid Coelho
Notes:
Also featured boxing.
JUNE 1926
JUNE 9, 1926 (WEDNESDAY)
Promoter: Doc Adams
Princess Theater, Honolulu, Hawaii
Referee: Dr. Witherington
1 - Demonstration of Holds Used Against Ed "Strangler" Lewis & Wayne Munn
By Stanislaus Zbyszko
2 - Exhibition
Stranislaus Zbyszko Vs. Frank Judson,
Result Unknown (R1 00:12:00 - R2 00:12:00 - R3 00:12:00 - C 00:36:00)
Notes:
Zibby and Judson were passing through Hawaii on their way to Australia.
Zbyszko challenged “to meet any wrestler in the world”, and defied anyone in the audience to come forward and attempt to pin him.
There were no takers.
He stated that catch-as-catch-can wrestling is “the greatest sport there is...a good wrestler using that form of wrestling can defeat the best boxers or jiu-jitsu artists.” - The Star-Bulletin
JUNE 20, 1926 (SUNDAY)
Orpheum Theater, Wailuku, Maui
1 - Sunda def. Kid Coelho
Notes:
Also featured boxing.
1927
MARCH 1927
MARCH 12, 1927 (SATURDAY)
American Legion Benefit
Promotion: Maui Sporting Association
Poultry Building, Kahulai Fairgrounds, Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii
Notes:
Featuring boxing, Japanese (Sumo) wrestling, fencing, and martial arts demonstrating.
Okazaki showed self-defense techniques against knife and sword attacks.
Y. Kawamoto "took some hard falls in being relieved of his weapons by the lightning fast expert Okazaki."
Okazaki challenged all comers from the audience to attempt to attack him with a knife, sword or using wrestling or boxing tactics.
He warned that, “he would not be responsible for any injury that might come to the assailant.”
No one volunteered to challenge the Professor.
MARCH 18, 1927 (FRIDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
"Headlock" Al Lovelock "The Russian Lion" stopped off in Honolulu
Notes:
He was on his way to Australia.
He discussed with local promoter, J. Ashman Beaven, about a holding light-heavyweight tournament in Honolulu in August.
MARCH 20, 1927 (SUNDAY)
Pukukalu Beach, Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii
Attendance: "Nearly 1,000"
Notes:
Professor Henry Seishiro Okazaki presented a jiu-jitsu exhibition.
Plus boxing bouts and geisha dancing.
MARCH 1927
MARCH 12, 1927 (SATURDAY)
American Legion Benefit
Promotion: Maui Sporting Association
Poultry Building, Kahulai Fairgrounds, Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii
Notes:
Featuring boxing, Japanese (Sumo) wrestling, fencing, and martial arts demonstrating.
Okazaki showed self-defense techniques against knife and sword attacks.
Y. Kawamoto "took some hard falls in being relieved of his weapons by the lightning fast expert Okazaki."
Okazaki challenged all comers from the audience to attempt to attack him with a knife, sword or using wrestling or boxing tactics.
He warned that, “he would not be responsible for any injury that might come to the assailant.”
No one volunteered to challenge the Professor.
MARCH 18, 1927 (FRIDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
"Headlock" Al Lovelock "The Russian Lion" stopped off in Honolulu
Notes:
He was on his way to Australia.
He discussed with local promoter, J. Ashman Beaven, about a holding light-heavyweight tournament in Honolulu in August.
MARCH 20, 1927 (SUNDAY)
Pukukalu Beach, Wailuku, Maui, Hawaii
Attendance: "Nearly 1,000"
Notes:
Professor Henry Seishiro Okazaki presented a jiu-jitsu exhibition.
Plus boxing bouts and geisha dancing.
JULY 1927
JULY 27, 1927 (WEDNESDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Promoter J.Ashman Beaven hopes to include Taro Miyake and Professore Tetsuo Higami in his proposed light-heavyweight wrestling tournament
JULY 1927
JULY 27, 1927 (WEDNESDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Promoter J.Ashman Beaven hopes to include Taro Miyake and Professore Tetsuo Higami in his proposed light-heavyweight wrestling tournament
1928
JUNE 1928
JUNE 9, 1928 (SATURDAY)
Foresters' Carnival and Weedon's Wild West Show and Rodeo
Waikiki Park, Honolulu, Hawaii
Notes:
This is the first day of the show.
Featuring an athletic show, which includes: The Great Morton in a stongman act, and a take on-all-comers wrestler, "Wildcat Graham."
JUNE 13, 1928 (WEDNESDAY)
Foresters' Carnival and Weedon's Wild West Show and Rodeo
Waikiki Park, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 - Special Carnival Feature
Johnny Solomon Vs. "The Heavyweight Champion of the Battle Fleet",
Result Unknown
Notes:
Featuring an athletic show, which includes: The Great Morton in a stongman act, and a take on-all-comers wrestler, "Wildcat Graham."
Solomon was billed as the heavyweight champion of Hawaii.
JUNE 16, 1928 (SATURDAY)
Foresters' Carnival and Weedon's Wild West Show and Rodeo
Waikiki Park, Honolulu, Hawaii
Notes:
This is the last day of the show.
Featuring an athletic show, which includes: The Great Morton in a stongman act, and a take on-all-comers wrestler, "Wildcat Graham."
JUNE 1928
JUNE 9, 1928 (SATURDAY)
Foresters' Carnival and Weedon's Wild West Show and Rodeo
Waikiki Park, Honolulu, Hawaii
Notes:
This is the first day of the show.
Featuring an athletic show, which includes: The Great Morton in a stongman act, and a take on-all-comers wrestler, "Wildcat Graham."
JUNE 13, 1928 (WEDNESDAY)
Foresters' Carnival and Weedon's Wild West Show and Rodeo
Waikiki Park, Honolulu, Hawaii
1 - Special Carnival Feature
Johnny Solomon Vs. "The Heavyweight Champion of the Battle Fleet",
Result Unknown
Notes:
Featuring an athletic show, which includes: The Great Morton in a stongman act, and a take on-all-comers wrestler, "Wildcat Graham."
Solomon was billed as the heavyweight champion of Hawaii.
JUNE 16, 1928 (SATURDAY)
Foresters' Carnival and Weedon's Wild West Show and Rodeo
Waikiki Park, Honolulu, Hawaii
Notes:
This is the last day of the show.
Featuring an athletic show, which includes: The Great Morton in a stongman act, and a take on-all-comers wrestler, "Wildcat Graham."
OCTOBER 1928
OCTOBER 11, 1928 (THURSDAY)
Maui County Fair
Kahului, Maui, Hawaii
Notes:
Professor Henry Seishiro Okazaki presented Jiu-Jitsu, Sumo and fencing bouts.
A tournament for the Jiu-Jitsu Championship of Maui.
OCTOBER 13, 1928 (SATURDAY)
Maui County Fair
Kahului, Maui, Hawaii
Notes:
Professor Henry Seishiro Okazaki presented Jiu-Jitsu, Sumo and fencing bouts.
A tournament for the Jiu-Jitsu Championship of Maui.
OCTOBER 1928
OCTOBER 11, 1928 (THURSDAY)
Maui County Fair
Kahului, Maui, Hawaii
Notes:
Professor Henry Seishiro Okazaki presented Jiu-Jitsu, Sumo and fencing bouts.
A tournament for the Jiu-Jitsu Championship of Maui.
OCTOBER 13, 1928 (SATURDAY)
Maui County Fair
Kahului, Maui, Hawaii
Notes:
Professor Henry Seishiro Okazaki presented Jiu-Jitsu, Sumo and fencing bouts.
A tournament for the Jiu-Jitsu Championship of Maui.
1929
DECEMBER 1929
DECEMBER 28, 1929 (SATURDAY)
Honolulu, Hawaii
Bert Potts is here on his way to the mainland
Notes:
He claimes the heavyweight championship of Hawaii.
He challenges to meet any local wrestlers.
Wilmer "Tiny" Hitesman, of the Naval Air Station, quickly accepted.
J. Ashman Beaven, promoter, will not have time to arrange a card before Potts sails off though.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
All research has been completed by the Professional Wrestling Historical Society or by a trusted contributor.
Information came from contemporary newspapers unless otherwise stated.
Results from Hawaii, United States of America: 1924-1929.
Updated: February 13, 2019.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
Unique content strictly for the Professional Wrestling Historical Society.
All research has been completed by the Professional Wrestling Historical Society or by a trusted contributor.
Information came from contemporary newspapers unless otherwise stated.
Results from Hawaii, United States of America: 1924-1929.
Updated: February 13, 2019.
Editor: Jimmy Wheeler.
"The Honolulu research files are dedicated to the memory of the late J Michael Kenyon.'JMK was “the daddy of ‘em all' in the pro wrestling research field. J Michael passed away May 3, 2017, at his home in Port Orford, OR. I never met the great man personally but we corresponded for years via email. JMK was a tremendous source of information on any and all topics, wrestling, boxing, barnstorming baseball and basketball teams, history, current events, etc. In our last email exchange, a week before he died, he commented that he had been very busy working on a basketball book project and stated, 'I’m living vicariously through your researches these days.' He added, 'I got word through the grapevine that the Spelling Police are interested in taking a HARD squint at all your 1930s Hawno-woo-woo (Elmer Fudd pronunciation) stuph…don’t be surprised if there is a late night knock at your laboratory door.'" - Mark Hewitt
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