Experience and dedication led to big honors at the 29th Hawaiian Islands Bodybuilding and Figure Championships.

Kevin Sperling and Laura Millar were the top winners at last night's bodybuilding competition at the Blaisdell Concert Hall, and longtime event promoter Mits Kawashima was honored for his tireless efforts in promoting the sport.

Sperling, a 35-year-old Naval chief petty officer, won the men's heavyweight and overall title. Millar, a 25-year-old Air Force officer, took home the women's figure contest and was also first in the short division.

Both are now headed to the USA Championships in Las Vegas scheduled to start on July 27.

"It a mixture of joy, excitement and emotions," said Sperling, a former lightweight and heavyweight state champion in Texas. "I love competing and my job kind of prevents from working out so anytime I get the chance, it's more than 'I'm up here on stage.' "

Sperling, who spends most of his day on a ship, said he somehow manages to find time for the gym.

"There's 24 hours in a day and I think can everybody can invest a hour or two to their selves no matter what you got going on," Sperling said. "If you're not at that point where you can invest that hour or two to yourself, then you have to reorganize your life and re-prioritize."

Millar finished third in her division at last year's Hawaiian Islands contest.

"It's kind of surreal," Millar said. "I did Hawaiian Islands last year and the Paradise Cup. To win an overall title feels surreal. It hasn't kicked in yet."

The experience of competing in last year's competition helped in preparing for this year's event.

"I knew what to expect this year," Millar said. "At every show, you learn how your body reacts to food and training. It's a lifestyle."

After putting on all 29 Hawaiian Islands events, the 89-year-old Kawashima is switching roles from promoter to producer. Mayor Mufi Hannemann presented him with a proclamation and local actress Tia Carrere also presented a certificate of recognition from California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has helped Kawashima promote the event.

"It's not final because I'm going to help out with this contest," Kawashima said. "The advertisements, getting the program together and the posters will be their duty. I'm not giving up this contest."

Hannemann met Schwarzenegger, a longtime friend of Kawashima's, at last week's United States Conference of Mayors in Los Angeles. What followed was talk of Schwarzenegger attending this year's Hawaiian Islands event. He wasn't able to make it, but Kawashima was honored that Hannemann was in attendance.

"I was really honored the mayor came because I never had a person like that attend our contest," Kawashima said. "He was nice and humble in doing that."

Other winners were: Joe Yezzi (masters lightweight); Kamuela Chun (masters heavyweight and masters overall); Jacquish Spencer (junior Hawaiian Islands lightweight); Jake Ness (junior Hawaiian Islands heavyweight and overall); Danielle Freitas-Ronquilio (Hawaiian Figure medium division); Erin Jenny (Hawaiian Figure tall division); John Ligsay Jr. (bantamweight); Eddie Damaso (lightweight); Joseph Lacar (welterweight) and Darin Espinda (light heavyweight).