Eight Hawai'i gymnasts have qualified to compete in the Junior Olympic National Championships, May 14 to 17, in Puyallup, Wash.

They were among 43 Hawai'i gymnasts who competed in the Region 2 Women's Junior Olympic Gymnastics Championship, April 16 to 19, at Kalispell, Mont.

Leading the advanced level-10 qualifiers were Tiara Rapp, a freshman from Moanalua High, who was second all-around in the Junior B division, Punahou freshman Jenna Frowein, who was third all-around in the Junior C division, and Punahou senior Megan Harada, who was fourth all-around in the Senior C division. All three are members of the Hawaiian Island Twisters Gymnastics on O'ahu.

Also qualifying for the national championships were Kokokahi gymnasts Lauren Nagao (Junior A, seventh place all-around), Paige Castillo (Senior A, seventh), Dayle Akamine (Senior C, sixth), Keolamau Yee (Senior C, seventh) and Veronica Overby (Senior D, sixth).

OTHER QUALIFIERS: Seven level 9 Hawai'i gymnasts qualified for the Western Championships, May 7-10, 2009 at Bartlesville, Okla. They are led by Taryn Chun, Island Tumblers, third all-around in the Senior 6 Division and Allison Bushman, Hawaiian Island Twisters, fourth in the Junior 3. Others are Julie Ann Fernando, Rainbow, Senior 1, Cara Nakayama, Pantheon, Senior 1, Kelli Ann Gyotoku, What's Up, Senior 6, Lynsey Montell, Pantheon, Senior 7 and Tracie Villanueva, HITs, Junior 4.

In the level 8 competition at Kalispell, Kristi Hayashida of What's Up, took fifth all-around in the Senior A division, while Hawaiian Island Twisters gymnast Amanda LaPenes was tied for fourth in the Junior A division all-around.

A Hawai'i all-star level 8 team placed fourth in the competition, won by Washington.Run, walk, lift signups

FUNDRAISER RUN: Today is the early registration deadline for the Jamba BananaMan Chase, an annual fundraiser for MDA Hawaii and Hawai'i Speed and Quickness.

The event, which includes a 5-kilometer run and keiki 500-meter dash, is scheduled for 7 a.m. May 9 at Ala Moana's Magic Island.

Registration fee for the 5K is $25 by today or $30 starting tomorrow through race day (5:30-6 a.m. only). Keiki registration is $15. Registration is available online at www.active.com or pick up an application at a Jamba Hawaii location (excluding UH-Manoa). For details, call Kirra Downing at 457-1859 or go to www.jambahawaii.com.

CHARITY WALK: The 31st annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk is scheduled for May 16 on O'ahu, Maui, Kaua'i and the Big Island.

Last year, more than 9,500 walkers raised more than $1.12 million to help 190 local charities, according to organizers.

The 6-mile O'ahu walk begins at 7 a.m. at McCoy Pavilion at Ala Moana Beach Park. The 5-mile Maui walk begins at 7 a.m. at War Memorial Park Soccer Field. The 2.9-mile Kaua'i walk starts at 7 a.m. at the Historic County Building. The 3.5-mile Big Island walk starts at 7:45 a.m. at Anaeho'omalu Bay at the Waikoloa Resort.

Walkers on O'ahu, the Big Island and Maui are required to have a minimum of $35 in donations for adults and $25 for those under 18 years old. On Kaua'i, the minimum donation is $35 for all walkers regardless of age.

For details, go to http://www.charitywalkhawaii.org.

BENCH PRESS: The fourth annual Hawai'i High School Bench Press Your Bodyweight contest and Mr. High School Bodybuilding and Physique championships will be held May 16 at the Dole Ballroom. The event is open to Hawai'i high school students.

The bench press competition will be in four male and two female divisions and will begin at 10 a.m. Weigh-in is May 5 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at 24-Hour Fitness Windward City Shopping Center. All contestants must weigh in to compete.

The bodybuilding and physique championships will be held at 12:30 p.m. For information, contact Daniel Suzuki at Olomana School, 266-7866.