A team of 13 Hawai'i boxers will square off against the best in the nation at the U.S. Championships this month in Colorado Springs, Colo.

The Hawai'i team has nine male fighters and four female boxers; two male champions skipped the event. The team is managed by Bruce Kawano and coached by Jeff McKee and Joel Kim.

Quarterfinalists of the men's tournament, which started Tuesday and con-cludes June 9, will qualify for the Olympic Trials in Chicago in August.

Hawai'i's 2008 Olympic team for Beijing will be selected in August.

Last month, team members participated in a beach cleanup at Hau Bush in 'Ewa Beach. They also hosted a fundraising concert at 'Ewa Ranch for Hawai'i's Junior Olympic champions who will compete at the U.S. Olympic Education Center, June 23 to July 1 at Marquette, Mich.

The concert featured entertainment from B.E.T., Koa Uka, Kawao, Next Generation, Beyond Paradise, Pohaku, Kaena, and Rappers.

(Hawai'i state/regional champions who are competing at the U.S. Championships, through June 9 at Colorado Springs, Colo.)

MALE

106 pounds: Thomas Juan (Wailuku Boxing Club). 112: Nathan Umeda (Palolo B.C.)*. 119: David Tangjian Jr. (Kawano B.C.). 125: Amedeo Ezzo-White Jr. (Kawano B.C.)*. 132: Isaac Arasato (Palolo B.C.). 141: Thomas Ordonez (Kawano B.C.). 152: Earl Fitts III (Wailuku B.C.). 165: Kainoa Oca-Kauhane (Kawano B.C.). 178: Filipo Toelau (Kawano B.C.). 201: Matt Monkewicz (Kawano B.C.). 201-plus: Frank Pojsl (Palolo B.C.).

FEMALE

95: Gina Ramos (Kawano B.C.). 101: Colleen Loo (PearlSide B.C. representing P.A.L.). 138: Triva Pino (Kawano B.C.). 176: Chanelle Valdez (Evolution B.C.).

Team manager/regional coordinator: Bruce Kawano. Coaches: Jeff McKee, Joel Kim.

*—champion but will not attend.