It is a way to effectively communicate news worthy stories without the tremendous resources required to make an actual show. My first entry as always is of a local nature.

Over the years we have watched one of Hawaii's own turn into one of the WORLDs best in motorsports. This veteran started his professional career in 1993 working for a legend in the sport of drag racing and Hawaii son, Roland Leong. This person then went on to work for one of the biggest names in the sport of drag racing Don "The Snake" Prudhomme. A few years later he sparked a fire in his younger brother and he too decided it was time to venture out and see how well he could do in the "BIG" Pond which is the Full Throttle Series of the NHRA. The World Championships of drag racing at the highest level of the sport, NITRO Funny Cars.

I am speaking of Todd and brother Scott Okuhara. Today entering his 16th year Todd is now one of the most respected crew chiefs in the entire world. He is in a elite group of less then 30 men who have THE title, "Crew Chief" of the worlds fastest accelerating vehicles from a dead stop. Where zero to over 300 miles per hour is achieved in a little more than three seconds. No space shuttle, no fighter jet can compare to the awesome power these 7000 + horsepower vehicles can generate. Where 6.5 G forces are reached at the hit of the throttle INSTANTLY and pulling the parachutes at the end of the 1000 foot run can generate over 10 negative G forces. Forces so violent it can detach the retinas in your eyes. G forces that fighter pilots avoid as this can cause the phenomenon known as "Red Out".

How dangerous is the sport? Well, three drivers have been killed in the past four years. Like I always say, "If Tiger Woods has a bad day, Tiger still gets to go home." Todd has the awesome responsibility of making sure not only do they win rounds and races but to make certain it is safe for the driver piloting his machine.

Todd has been the assistant crew chief for future hall of fame driver Ron Capps for two different team owners. In 2006 Todd Okuhara became a FULL Crew Chief for "Fast" Jack Beckman of Don Schumacher Racing ( DSR ). In Jack's rookie season they ran only the last five races. Todd got Jack his first win in only his fourth event at Las Vegas. Amid controversy at the 2006 World Finals, NHRA officials claimed that the fuel in Jack Beckman's funny car was over the allowable limit of Nitro to Alcohol ratio. This motivated Todd to prove to himself and fellow competitors that they weren't cheating. He told "Fast" Jack Beckman,"Hang ON, because it is either going to run a number or BLOW UP." And it did, they set not only the ET record at 4.662 seconds but also the record for speed at 333.66 miles per hour. A record for speed that stands till today.

Near the end of the 2007 season another switch was done at DSR. Todd was again trusted to be the crew chief for yet another hall of fame driver, Gary Scelzi. Todd came on at Brainerd an event which they didn't even qualify for until the final session. 2007 was also a change in the points system where the Champion would be determined in a playoff style format in the last few races. Todd powered Gary to "2" wins and they made it into the "Countdown" in a tight battle that went down to the wire. After the smoke and nitro cleared they finished in third place for the season. The momentum built had everyones confidence running high and looking forward to the new year. Then what seemed as a promising possibility at the end of 2007 turned into frustration for all of 2008.

See our exclusive interview with Todd Okuhara and as always, Todd is on the move again. Hear and see what Todd has to say about his new job and a change that no one saw coming for the 2009 season.

So strap on in and log on to get the scoop on this PunishUM exclusive.

Watch the interview...