Special Olympics West Hawaii

Volunteers Steve Strand, KC Strand, Krystal Welch and Carolyn Enriquez took the following fantastic images of Special Olympics West Hawaii athletes and their unfied partners, competing at recent Big Island bowling tournaments. Volunteer Nikki Cleintuar wrote the captions.

Mahalo for capturing and sharing the moments below.
May this great service bring others joy.

SOWH bowlers were in high spirits as they traveled to Hilo to compete against East Hawaii teams in the Singles Tournament Oct. 18. It was the first of two important area competitions held the same weekend as both contests were qualifiers for Annual Holiday Classic State Games to be held on Dec. 5 - 7 on Oahu.

On Sunday, Oct. 19, Carol Barfoot chose her ball while Amy Aguiar and Corey Enriquez warmed up for the start of the Area Unified Tournament held at Kona Bowl.

SOWH Head Soccer Coach, Andy Barfoot, has traded his cleats in the off season for a pair of bowling shoes to serve as a unified bowling partner along with his wife, Carol. Andy and Carol helped propel the Kona Ninja Honu team to a first place win in Division 3 at the Unified Tournament.

SOWH athlete Greg Routery keeps an eye on his roll as competition begins.

SOWH West Hawaii Area Director Dave Ross and SOWH Bowling Coach and Head of Delegation Lona Warner fire up the teams with a rousing pep talk at the opening ceremonies preceding the unified competition.

Division 4 winners were the Kona Alii Team with a score of 1426. The Kona Alii team is flanked by lane volunteers Jeannie Kutsunai (left) and Aura Coffman. Bowlers (left to right) are Josiah Kaipo, Ronona Della-Cioppa, Josh Yong and Michael Tom Makanui.

The Kona Strikers were first place winners in Division 1, with a combined three game total score of 1772. The Strikers (team on the left) are: SOWH unified partner Eric Cleintuar, athlete Adrian Cleintuar, athlete Ray Donager and unified partner Kelly Yonemura. Standing center is lane volunteer Charley Somsanguansit. Taking second place in the division with a 1771 score were Team Wong, consisting of Isaiah Wong, Eva Wong, Quentin Wong and Jacob Wong.

The Kona Sharks grabbed hold of first place in Division 2 with a total score of 1437. From left to right is unified partner Tony Enriquez and Cory Enriquez. Sharks not pictured include Preston Buckley and unified partner Stephanie Kaneshiro. Taking second place in the division were the Kona Sunset with a score of 1422. The team consisted of SOWH athlete Shannon Salas (next to lane volunteer Megan Delaries), athlete Amy Aguiar and unified partner Barbara Bach. Kona Sunset teammate and unified partner Chipper Chappel was not pictured.

Division 3 bowlers lined up to receive their awards. On the left are members of the Ninja Honu team who captured first place with a score of 910. The Ninja Honu team consisted of unified partners Carol and Andy Barfoot, as well as athletes Shane Follosco and Duke Kaawa. On the right is the Pinbuster, the winning second place team in the division that scored 889. The Pinbusters are athlete Mary Conner, unified partner Doreen Parker, athlete Norman Matsubara and unified partner KC Strand. Kneeling in front of the group is lane volunteer Jonathan Kutsunai.

Participating in the Area Unified Tournament held at Kona Bowl were (back row, left to right) coaching assistant Steve Strand, coaching assistant Les Lund and athlete Alvin Carvelho; (middle row) head coach Lona Warner, athlete Greg Routery, athlete Lindsey Miedema, athlete Apple Isidro, athlete Henry Langidrik and athlete Murray Williams; and (kneeling in front) Marinna Takahashi-Ruiz and Lois Phillip. Not pictured were Kimmie Grisham and Debbie Collector.

The wonderful Kealakehe High School girls and boys bowling teams, the Sailor Scout 4-H Club and the Tsunami 4-H Club regularly volunteer for Special Olympics West Hawaii. The organization is honored and extremely grateful for their commitment to service. SOWH volunteers, athletes and coaches welcome these volunteers’ smiles, friendship and the great enthusiasm they bring to events. Pictured here are SOWH Area Director Dave Ross (standing, left) and the volunteers who helped out at the Area Unified Tournament held at Kona Bowl. Volunteers included (from left to right) Carolyn Enriquez, Aura Coffman, Jeannie Kutsunai, Amanda Abe, Jonathan Kutsunai, Charley Somsanguansit and Megan Delaries; and (kneeling in front) are Nikki Cleintuar and Mary Donager.

Each of the eight bowlers who racked up the highest single game scores of the day receive Ironman 30th anniversary posters. Pictured are (back row, left to right) Isaiah Wong who scored 171, Eva Wong who scored 163, Eric Cleintuar who scored 187, Barbara Bach who scored 222 and Jacob Wong who scored 224; (kneeling, front) Tony Enriquez who scored 153, Josh Yong who scored 168, and Kelly Yonemura who scored 226.

Pictured from left to right are Lona Warner, Lindsey Miedema and KC Strand. Several SOWH athletes, volunteers and coach reported it was a very special weekend of friends, competition and fun. A special mahalo goes to Kona Bowl for hosting an event, Sharon Yong for Halloween treats and all those who worked hard on the planning, organization and details that made the tournament successful.

Cop on Top was highly successful, thanks to the police officers, Special Olympics West Hawaii athletes, volunteers, sponsors and the public. The fundraiser raised reportedly more than $12,000. Hooray!

Here is a mahalo note from SOWH Area Director Dave Ross:

Nothin’ but love to everyone. I am so stoked at how Cop on Top went. It was an amazing success and everyone who had a hand in this should feel great. We raised great cash, met new volunteers and athletes, had great community presence and had a truckload of fun. Hooray to Walter, Sam, Sean, Rollin (gimpy shoulder and all) and all the other officers who made this event a success.

Mahalo to: KC for staffing this thing; the Dungates for kicking butt Saturday on dawn patrol; the Cleintaurs for kicking us off full force Tuesday morning; the Knights of Columbus and the Extor clan for working the pau hana parties; Lona for pulling mass double shifts; Doreen for jazzing up the joint with awesome graphics; Barbara Bach for the endless smiles and energy; Shane’s “bow technique” with a proud Madelyn by his side; Ray for coming straight from work with Mary; Kelly for dancing up a storm; the West Hawaii Today squad for the great press; and Ronona for jamming straight from the water to the buckets.

I couldn’t ask to work with a better group of people. We are all different, but unify so well for our common cause — to make the lives of our athletes and their families better through sports and community involvement.

Mahalo for all that participated. I love you all and cherish your efforts. Be well. Let’s have a great fall.

Here’s another thank you note and photos from longtime SOWH volunteer Nikki Cleintuar:

Dave is so right about the unity, common cause and, most of all, the athletes. It’s a labor of love for all of us. That said, without Dave’s leadership, his unbridled optimism, his determination, his inability to say “can’t” and his willingness to do whatever it takes, it never would have happened. So a round of applause goes to our intrepid area director. YAY!!!

Another round of applause goes to our helpers outside the organization. This includes Sgt. Walter AhMow; Sgt. Rollin Rabara; Sgt. Sean Smith; Lt. Sam Kawamoto; the community policing officers and those who did Keiki ID; John Perillo, manager of Safeway, and the Safeway employees; Birdie Fawzi & Coca Cola Bottling of Hawaii; HPM; Denny’s Restaurant; Carolyn Lucas; Kat and KWXX Radio; West Hawaii Today; Chris with the public announcement system; Dave Huerta; Knights of Columbus; and all the participating businesses and individuals that donated.

Hulali is one of the many Safeway employees and management personnel who worked extra duty with grace and enthusiam to support Cop On Top.

SOWH Area Director Dave Ross is tired, but happy after a successful fundraiser.

SOWH volunteer Doreen Parker created a photo display of our athletes competing at the recent Aukake Classic, a soccer and boccee tournament on Oahu, for Cop On Top. Donors were able to get a visual idea of how the funds raised are spent.

Volunteer Eric Cleintuar (SOWH athlete Adrian Cleintuar’s dad) and Ronona Della Cioppa (SOWH coach Lona Warner’s daughter) secure the beautiful balloon arch created by Safeway employee Hulali in the store’s floral department.

From the left: Volunteer Eric Cleintuar and SOWH athletes Jason Nagatori and Ray Donager helped pack up after Cop on Top ended Saturday.

• The motto of the Ironman is “Anything is Possible.”
• The more than 1,700 athletes compete in a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and a 26.2-mile run. They only have 17 hours to finish the race.
• During the course of the race, more than 235,000 cups, 46,600 bike bottles, 20,000 gallons of fluid replacement, soda, water and soup, 66 cases of bananas and 261 bottles of sunscreen are used by the participants.
• More than 5,000 volunteers line the 140.6-mile course.
• In 2007, the competitors were from 49 countries and 45 states.
• The average Ironman athlete spends 18 to 30-plus hours training each week for the annual Ironman World Championship.

Special Olympics West Hawaii is helping Outback Steak House with its aid station for the 2008 Ford Ironman World Championship Saturday, Oct. 11.

Volunteers are needed to hand out drinks, sun block, snacks, etc . They will also maintain the area in a clean presentable manner.

This is an all-day event with two separate shifts (either 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. or 2 to 6 p.m.). SOWH does not encourage any one person to participate in both shifts. In addition to the shifts, there is a need for a few people with trucks are needed Friday night, as well as a five people to set up Saturday morning. Please send KC Strand an e-mail with 1) when you can help with, 2) the number of people in your group, 3) the size and number of shirt(s) you will need and 4) the best way to contact you.

SOWH and Outback are seeking 50 to 70 volunteers. Parking will be VERY limited at approximately 30 spaces. Carpooling is being requested.

Contact Strand at zionvideos@yahoo.com for more details and to sign up.