This year, the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Athletic Foundation is honoring Dwight Toyama, OIA Executive Director at its seventh annual "Education Through Athletics" dinner at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel, Hawai'i Ballroom. Dwight Toyama, a 1970 graduate of Kaimuki High School has been involved in sports most of his life. He has been the top OIA administrator since 1998 and a big contributor to our community. He has also headed the public school league for more than a decade.
In the 1970's, Toyama began his teaching career at Kahuku High School and later became the head football coach and athletic director at Kaimuki High School. Toyama also helped establish the OIA Foundation that provides financial assistance to schools in need of help. Toyama is a very modest person and stresses the importance of giving. Ten years ago, he donated one of his kidneys. Normally, one would give a kidney to a family member, a friend, or someone you have a relationship with, but Dwight falls under the so called "altruistic non-directed" kidney donors. It takes a very special person to give to a complete stranger for the well being of others.
Toyama was also a leading advocate of having at least one athletic trainer in every public high school athletic department. He guided the league through several crises over the past 13 years, including the 2001 teachers strike and budget cuts in 2008 and 2009 that chopped athletic department funding by more than 36 percent. This information was provided by ScoringLive.com
Shawn Ching and Stephanie Lum of Hawaii News Now was the Master of Ceremonies. The program started off with introduction of the OIA Athletic Foundation President, Dr. Larry Price; OIA League President and Mililani Principal, Dr. John Brummel; and past honorees, Dr. Edison Miyawaki; Speaker of the House Calvin Say; Mitzi Lehano from Oceanic; Keith Amemiya, former HHSAA Executive Director and current Secretary to the Board of Regents; Dr. Don Takaki, Chairman and CEO Island Movers; and lastly Mr. Charles Na'umu, principal of Anuenue School who gave the invocation. Dinner music was provided by Mililani High School String Ensemble.
Toyama was also a leading advocate of having at least one athletic trainer in every public high school athletic department. He guided the league through several crises over the past 13 years, including the 2001 teachers strike and budget cuts in 2008 and 2009 that chopped athletic department funding by more than 36 percent. This information was provided by ScoringLive.com
Shawn Ching and Stephanie Lum of Hawaii News Now was the Master of Ceremonies. The program started off with introduction of the OIA Athletic Foundation President, Dr. Larry Price; OIA League President and Mililani Principal, Dr. John Brummel; and past honorees, Dr. Edison Miyawaki; Speaker of the House Calvin Say; Mitzi Lehano from Oceanic; Keith Amemiya, former HHSAA Executive Director and current Secretary to the Board of Regents; Dr. Don Takaki, Chairman and CEO Island Movers; and lastly Mr. Charles Na'umu, principal of Anuenue School who gave the invocation. Dinner music was provided by Mililani High School String Ensemble.
After dinner, Stephanie Lum and Shawn Ching called on Dr. Larry Price OIAAF President, Coach, the sound effect "Katoosh," and one half of the #1 morning show KSSK radio personality Perry and Price. Dr. Larry Price related that Dwight Toyama touched a lot of lives and "I could say something like he is very compassionate and look at him, he's so cute, but has spent countless of hours with the OIA and spreading the word and keeping everything straight." He lives by the rule and believes in giving back to the community. So the Foundation purpose tonight is very simple, we want you to remember Dwight Toyama and don't forget him because he is one of a kind. Hugh Yoshida, former Athletic Director and Football Coach further related that Dwight is a hard worker, a good administrator and has the knack to get people to work together and get the job done. Between Dr. Larry Price and Dwight Toyama, they have raised over a million dollars in the past 7 years for the foundation.
Next was "da boyz," Calvin Say and Richard Haru. They have known Dwight from the hanabata days and high school and been through it all with him, the good, the bad and the real ugly. Combined, these two guys have known Dwight for 90 years. Calvin stated, "did you know in the hanabata days that spiny things fell through his nose, I had to wipe it for him." But on the serious side, Calvin related "Dwight has always been a great leader and if it wasn't for my very good friend and brother, I would have never been in public office, because he convinced me to run for public office in the old Flamingo Chuck Wagon." Richard Haru came firing off by saying Dwight and Calvin go way back as teenagers washing dishes at Flamingo Chuck Wagon, but back then, Dwight had jet black hair, Calvin had very long hair and I had hair. Dwight's leadership skills came out early. He was the student body president at Jarrett Intermediate and he got impeached that same year. "Besides the fun part, his humble nature and his insistence on being low key, his teaching, coaching and administration and lobbying efforts will certainly leave a legacy, and its been a privilege to be a colleague and friend of Dwight Toyama." A big "congratulations" to Dwight Toyama and his family, and remember the OIA Athletic Foundation will never forget you. To see the event photos, "click here."
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