Keola O Ke Kai Canoe Club "Malama Pono 'Ia Kawele'a Long Distance Race

This Saturday, March 23, 2013 I met up with Gino Dayton and Jen Romano (photo right) who founded the Keola O Ke Kai Canoe Club in 2001.  Jen is also the race Secretary for OHCRA.  Both are also head coaches for the Radford paddling team.  Today's event was held at Sand Island Boat Harbor, and the Keola O Ke Kai Canoe Club "Malama Pono 'Ia Kawele'a" was the sponsor.  The Mixed Open long distance race consisted of 32 canoes and the Men's long distance consisted of 15 canoes.

Participating in today's race was the "Pure Light Racing Club," continuing the legacy of founder and Executive Director Aka Hemmings who passed away on March 31, 2012 after a brief illness.  I spoke to John Greer (photo left) who now heads this special group of all Hawai'i Adaptive Paddling Association.  The Association is a non-profit organization that includes physically, mentally and emotionally challenged individuals in the sport of Hawaiian outrigger canoe paddling.

Today's winners in the Mixed Open Long Distance race were 1st place #50 Hui Lanakila (photo above), 2nd place #40 Hawaiian Kanaktion, and 3rd place #2 Waikiki Surf Club.  In the Men's Long Distance race, 1st place #59 Outrigger-Red, 2nd place #66 Outrigger-White, and 3rd place #49 Keola O Ke Kai. Candid photos and video "click here."

8th Annual OIA Athletic Foundation Dinner - Honoring Ted Fukushima and Larry Ginoza

Information by OIAAF:

The Oahu Interscholastic Association Athletic Foundation (OIAAF) will be honoring two former Athletic Directors who's names are synonymous with the OIA, Ted Fukushima (photos right), retired OIA Executive Director and Kaiser High School Athletic Director, and Larry Ginoza (photos left), retired Athletic Director and football coach from Waianae High School at its eight annual fundraising dinner on Thursday, March 21, 2013, 6:00pm at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.

These two OIA icons represent over 75 years of dedication to the OIA and the DOE and both were at  their respective schools when they opened, Waianae High in 1957 and Kaiser High in 1971. As educators, they both emphasized the lifelong lessons of positive character development through athletic participation. Through their teaching and coaching, student athletes were taught the importance of humility, teamwork, perseverance, work ethic, commitment, and responsibility. The teaching of these two individuals developed a culture of civic responsibility for thousands of student athletes. More event photos "click here."