I recently had the privilege to attend the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame 2008 induction banquet. It was held at the Honolulu Country Club and the main ballroom was packed! The crowd of sports minded people covered the spectrum from high powered officials, heads of banks, sports reporters, high school officials, college types - Greg McMackin being one - and so on.

It was the perfect rainbow of people representing two equally deserving but two totally different honorees.

The Class of 2008 is Dr. Edison Miyawaki and Joseph "Nappy" Napoleon. Talk about surf and turf!

The good Doctor is going into the hall under "Professional Football Contributor." Mister Miyawaki could have easily been given the honor for charitable contributions to the state. The first Japanese-American to own part of an NFL franchise - the Cincinnati Bengals - is so quiet and unassuming, you'd never know he gives so much back to the community. Money, time, academics, are all part of the Doc's to-do list on helping others.

A new community education center to be built in Nanakuli owes much to Miyawaki.

Over the years, Miyawaki and his wife Sallie would put away part of their dividends from the Bengals into a special fund. A fund they marked to do something to better the lives of those who didn't have the opportunities and chances others had.

Looking at the account in recent years, the good Doctor told the story of how his late wife said "I think we can finally build the center."

Miyawaki then used his close relationship with the NFL to tap into the league's monies for projects such as this and voila! Nanakuli and the leeward coast kids will have a chance to get ahead of the curve.

When he took the podium to address the crowd you could feel the humility, warmth, and caring coming from this uber successful man of the people. He teared up slightly for two reasons, the realization of the center's future impact and the recent passing of his soul mate, Sallie. No doubt she's smiling from a sky box high above.

Next up another amazing man of distinction.

Say the name Napoleon and you might as well be saying "master waterman" because Nappy's family is one of the premier ocean families of Hawaii.

Among his many watery achievements, how about this one. Back on October 7, 2007 Nappy completed his 50th-straight Moloka'i Hoe! As the coach, Dr. Larry Price said that night "Just doing 50 years of anything straight - even ping pong - is amazing" let alone this long distance paddling marathon.

He goes into the hall under "Canoe Racing Pioneer" - having won six championships (1958, 1961, 1966, 1969, 1972, and 1973) over those 50-years of crossing the Kaiwi Channel.

Napoleon was just 17 back in 1958 when he completed his first 41-mile race from Hale O Lono Harbor on Molokai to Waikiki Beach.

The milestone crossing back in October was special beyond the big 5-0 number. It was done under the Anuenue Canoe Club banner with a crew featuring his five sons - Joey, Aaron, Darryn, David, and Jonah, along with grandsons Josh, Sepa, and Koa.

The sons and grand kids alternated paddling throughout the trek. Napoleon steered every single mile.

How cool is that! To have all of your "boys" in the same canoe must have filled Nappy with a feeling only he knows.

Nappy shared some of that sense of ohana when he spoke at the mic.

Where Doctor Miyawaki had the academic background, Napoleon mentioned how he wasn't the best of students back in the day. But it didn't matter, he got a doctor of letters on the sand and waves as a Waikiki Beach Boy. Becoming a true ambassador to locals and visitors alike.

The other key to his success in life and sports, his wife! Nappy made it a point to point out his wife - Anona - really made him the person he is today. See what a smart man huh?

Seriously, he spoke of his love for her and what she means to him and the entire family. Pretty good stuff when the typical man won't show such a soft side. Again you could feel the goodness of this man, warming the hall.

So there you have it.

Two living legends of Hawaii sports. Both quiet and unassuming but oh so huge when it comes to their legacies of caring and sharing.

To Doctor Miyawaki, I'm glad that always take the time to chat with me when our path's cross. If only I had gone to Loyola Marymount! (Doc is a huge booster of the that school and it came down to attending either UH or LMU back in my senior year of high school.)

To Nappy Napoleon, I'll take away how you love your family, love the water, and love doing things the right way. I'll try to find something to do for 50-years straight. Smile.