They’re billing it "Heroes" because it’s slated for Sept. 11. But "Locals Only" would be a better label for X-1’s MMA promotion set for the Blaisdell.

Niko Vitale vs. Kala Hose.

The fight everyone’s been waiting for. That’s because we’ve been waiting for any fight of significance at all. Things have been slow on the island combat scene lately, partly because both of these big names have been rehabbing injuries.

The fighters themselves didn’t sound overly enthused yesterday. Thankfully they’ve got a few weeks to get pumped up.

"I really don’t like to fight the locals," Hose whispered at a low-key news conference that didn’t match the cacophony right outside the Dave and Buster’s showroom.

"There’s no animosity," said Vitale, in a voice even less audible.

Their posedown body language was telling, too. When their eyes met, smiles of respect curled their lips rather than sneers of derision.

It’s hard to believe these guys are really going to fight.

OF COURSE, that’s the Hawaii way, the way it’s supposed to be. Plenty of aloha, plenty of mutual warrior respect, plenty of deference … until the time is right. Then, all hell breaks loose. Silent but violent. The tradition is islanders don’t start fights, they finish them.

That’s a noble way to handle things on the street. But when pimping a fight people are expected to pay money to see, it might be better to talk some trash. It’s simply against the nature of these two — and it’s easier to build up the disdain when the foe is from across the ocean rather than across the street.

Russell Shimooka, the X-1 announcer and only one using his outside voice, tried to get some juices flowing by suggesting Leeward Oahu bragging rights are at stake. Hose hails from Waianae and Vitale from Waipahu.

"In Hawaii, we know that when there are two bulls on the block it’s inevitable that they’ll meet," he said.

Hose didn’t take the bait.

"I don’t look at it as a rivalry," he murmured, noting that fighters from his neighborhood train with Vitale and have a cordial relationship.

So why is this fight happening?

Because it can, and because it should.

It costs a lot to bring in opponents from the mainland, so it’s economical. And, yes, it is intriguing to have the old-guard legend, Vitale, 36, defend his middleweight belt against the hard-punching 28-year-old Hose as he approaches his prime.

And as local promotions come and go, X-1 is the facilitator du jour.

"Kala’s looking for a home and the only game in town on this level is X-1," Shimooka said.

THERE’S NO DOUBT both will earn their pay. They’re solid pros, and by the time the event rolls around they’ll have built up enough conditioning and anger to do their jobs and put on a good show.

But what really gives fights some sizzle is hate — even if it’s contrived.

There’s really not anything to dislike about these two, though, and that could lead to a lot of empty seats in September unless someone starts displaying some anger. It’s OK if it’s done with a wink and a grin, like Mayhem Miller, we’ll play along.

Anyone in Hawaii who still gets paid to fight owes Vitale at least a Christmas card each year. He’s the man who threw The Punch, the flying fist that KO’d Masanori Suda in 2005 and fueled MMA interest here to unprecedented levels.

Hose gets that, understanding Vitale’s place in Hawaii sports history. But he needs to forget about it until after Sept. 11.

So, gentlemen, please. Can we all just not get along?