In 1995, Ken Carvalho first introduced Hawaii to the sport of dog weight pulling. Through word of mouth, Hawaii's Strongest Dog's coordinator, Pat Augustus, discovered practices and demonstrations at Kapiolani Park. By networking with Ben Chun , Stan Jacinto, and Frank Rocca, the sport inaugurated in 1996 its first weight pulling competition and confirmation show. The show was later featured on the Hawaiian Moving Company.

Ken Carvalho later stepped out of the dog scene, and handed the track and weights to Pat to continue the sport. Through the years, Strongest Dog held their competitions in backyards and open lots. It was not until March 2006 Strongest Dog achieved another level by putting on an organized event in collaboration with Platinum Kennels, Kamu Lau, and Stan Dickson. The initial event started with twelve dogs, but as time passed, other competitions soon followed with more dogs participating in November 2006, March 2007, and November 2007.

Our November 2007 show proved to be our biggest and best event yet with kokua from Bullies in Paradise and TEAM FBI. Activities included weight pulling competition, fun dog confirmation show, motorcycle show and a VW show , and Shine with the VW club of Hawaii. We had approximately forty dogs enter our competition show and about sixty dogs in our fun confirmation show that was presided by judges Alan Liu (AKC) and Dave Gomes (UKC). We were also invited to do a weight pulling seminar at Hawaiian Bully Bash in April 2006 and Bully Bash II on October 2007.

In collaboration with Ikaika Ah Choy of No Sudden Moves Kennel & Ruff Ryders, Big Island Dog Division Captain, Leihuanani Ah Choy of Bullies in Paradise, Tyrone and Tiffany Ferreira of TNT Pits, we later started weight pulling on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Their first event, a two day event held at Hilo Bay Front in July 2007 consisted of a weight pulling seminar and competition, a fun dog confirmation show, dog agility track, and Schutzhund Dog Sports. In December 2007, some Hawaii dogs represented us in a photo shoot with Get'Em Boy Apparel which is launching in the next couple of months.

Our mission for Hawaii's Strongest Dog Weight Pulling Competition is to show the community the positive side of weight pulling. By participating in our event, owners are allowed to spend time with their dogs, walk and train them rather than keeping them on chains and in their kennels. The event also allowed the island dogs to socialize with other dogs, and most importantly uniting dog owners, dog breeders, and kennels around the islands.

Upcoming Events:

March 28-30: Big Boy Big Toy Show in Neal Blaisdell Center, Honolulu

April 19: Hawaii's Strongest Dog Weight Pulling Competition, Hilo

June 14: Bullies in Paradise Expo, Maui

July 19-20: 2nd Annual Bullies in Paradise Expo, Bayfront Hilo

October 25: Ruff Ryders-Big Island & Bullies in Paradise Expo, Kona