Friends of Hawai'i Charities, Inc., raised more than $1 million for charity for the second consecutive year. The funds were officially distributed yesterday to more than 130 Hawai'i not-for-profit organizations that serve children, women, the elderly and needy.

The flagship event for Friends of Hawai'i is the Sony Open in Hawai'i. The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc., is the PGA tournament's charity partner and provides matching funds for each dollar raised by the Sony Open. Other Friends of Hawai'i fundraising events are the Turtle Bay Championship, SBS Open and Fields Open in Hawai'i.

"When Friends of Hawai'i Charities was formed in 1998 and entered into an agreement with the PGA Tour to produce the Sony Open in Hawai'i, we set a goal of raising and distributing $1 million for Hawai'i charities annually," said FOHC president Anthony R Guerrero Jr. "Last year we reached this milestone with the support of Sony Corporation and charity partner The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Inc.

"We also extend our appreciation to the more than 1,600 volunteers that donate countless hours year-round to make the Sony Open and other golf tournaments a success."

EX-HAWAI'I RESIDENT KIM FINISHES FIFTH

Kimberly Kim, formerly of Pahoa, finished in a tie for fifth at the AJGA Rolex Girls Junior Championship in Park City, Utah. Kim shot a 3-under-par 69 Thursday to pull into a share of second at Glenwild Golf Club & Spa, but closed with a 76.

Her 217 total was nine back of Arizona's Esther Choe, who took a five-shot lead into the final round and shot 72 to win by three. The field included five first-team Rolex All-Americans and 77 girls from 20 states and seven countries.

Kim tees off in the 30th U.S. Women's Public Links Championship on Tuesday at Pueblo, Colo. Her sister Christine, the 2005 Hawai'i state high school champion, is also playing along with Hawai'i's Stephanie Kono, Cyd Okino, Amanda Wilson, Kelly Nakashima, Mari Chun, Jaclyn Hilea and two-time publinx champion Lori Planos.

Kim, 14, and Kono, 16, have qualified for the U.S. Women's Open, which starts June 29 at Newport Country Club in Rhode Island.

MAEKAWA, UEOKA CLAIM JUNIOR TITLES

Sean Maekawa won the boys title and Miki Ueoka claimed the girls division of the Aloha Section Westfield Junior PGA Championship yesterday at Honolulu Country Club.

Maekawa shot a 71 yesterday for a two-day total of 140, and Ueoka had a 77— 152.

They qualified for the national championship from August 10 to 13 at Westfield Group Country Club in Ohio.

Defending champion Stephanie Kono and Tadd Fujikawa earned exemptions to play in the national event.

MCLACHLIN FOUR BACK IN NATIONWIDE EVENT

Former Hawai'i state high school champion Parker McLachlin fired a 2-under-par 70 in the second round of the $475,000 Knoxville Open in Tennessee.

At 137, McLachlin is four behind leader Hunter Haas, who shot a 66.

McLachlin is 15th on the Nationwide money list, with more than $93,000.