PMRF 'Revs Up' with Custom Car Show

PMRF ‘revs up’ with Custom Car Show

This story originally appeared in the Feb 23, 2018 issue of the Hookele newspaper.

Story and photos by MC2 SW/AW Omar Powell
Pacific Missile Range Facility Public Affairs

Pacific Missile Range Facility (PMRF) Barking Sands on Kauai opened its gates to hundreds of car enthusiasts for the second annual PMRF/Navy Morale Welfare and Recreation (MWR) “Custom Car Show,” Feb. 10.

The event at PMRF was free and open to the public starting with the island’s top hot rods, race cars, classic cars, custom trucks and bikes.

The crowd this year tripled from last year. The competition reflected the growing interest of custom cars on the island with a higher number of entries and stiffer competition.

“I’m impressed with the turnout. It’s pretty impressive. This is a great event that my friends and I get to participate in and show off our cars. I’m definitely going to register for this again next year,” said Keahi Kanahele, Subaru WRX entry owner.

“We don’t have that many opportunities to show off all of our cars. This car show helps with that and it keeps people interested and excited to continue working on their cars,” said Nicole Smith from Auto Styling and Performance.

During the event, the crowd leisurely walked through the rows of cars with amazement on their faces.

In the background Kauai’s premier blue-grass band, Roundhouse Ramblers, filled the air with music as attendees enjoyed their food, drinks, games and a bouncy house for the kids.

The car show competition was open judging for all attendees to narrow down their top picks from the participating cars, trucks and bikes competing in eight different categories.

Winners were presented with trophies by Pacific Missile Ranges Facility’s commanding officer Capt. Vincent Johnson, executive officer Cmdr. Daniel Kimberly and Command Master Chief James Bibb during the awards ceremony at the show grounds. They congratulated the winners and thanked all those who participated to help make the event a success.

The winners from the car show are as follows from first to third place from each class:

Race cars:

• First place ………….. Jamie Law
• Second place ………. Mary Kealoha
• Third place …………. Glenn Montemayor

Junior dragster:

• First place ………….. Cristopher Silva
• Second place ………. Lori Almarza
• Third place …………. Christian Silva

Classic car/truck

• First place ………….. Dennis Bonilla
• Second place ………. Chris Bonilla
• Third place …………. Bobby Barros

Hot rod:

• First place ………….. Clifford Pimental
• Second place ………. Peter Amaral
• Third place………….. Robin Troche

VW/ MANX:

• First place ………….. Lori lei Ramos
• Second place ………. Rodney Kapuy
• Third place …………. Warren Tavares

Street class:

• First place ………….. Sonny Suniga
• Second place ………. James Bibb
• Third place………….. Grant Paiste

Custom bike:

• First place ………….. Marvin Emura
• Second place……….. Harold Mariani
• Third place …………. James Bibb

Custom truck:

• First place…………… LJ Yadao
• Second place……….. John-Aguaon-Kona
• Third place………….. Bobby Barros