Special Olympics West Hawaii

The sports skills and spirit that define a true athlete and team were exhibited by Special Olympics West Hawaii at the 2008 Holiday Classic on Oahu.

Held Dec. 5-7 at Hickam Air Force Base and the Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base, this event included a multi-division three-day basketball tournament and Individual Skills Competition, Singles, Doubles and Unified® team bowling competitions, and traditional and Unified® Doubles Bocce tournaments. The Holiday Classic marks the end of the Fall season.

“According to everyone I have talked to, it was (as always) the intense, non-stop, high energy three-day experience that every State games veteran knows and loves,” said volunteer Nikki Cleintuar. “But seriously, everyone had a great time – especially the athletes!”

On the basketball court, the SOWH Panthers had games against the Special Olympics Honokaa team, as well as three Special Olympics Oahu teams — The Central Terminators, Ohana Hoku and the Rainbows.

“We went 0 for 4, ending up with 5th place ribbons, but our place in the standings is of little consequence,” said Dave Ross, SOWH area director and head basketball coach. “The real story – the important story – was written in the courage, teamwork and sportsmanship of our athletes.”

Several former basketball players did not come out for the team this season, so it was a rebuilding year for the SOWH Panthers. The team consisted of only five athletes and no substitutes. Although very tired, the Panthers never, at any time, gave up.

About halfway through the tournament, one of the Panthers best veteran players, Robbie Sanoria, twisted his ankle.

“Even though he wanted to keep playing, I couldn’t risk further injury and I had to bench him. That left four guys to do the job of five and they played their hearts out to the end,” Ross said. “I am so proud of all my athletes. If there was a medal for spirit and determination they would have brought home the championship!”

Have a story, comment or photo you would like to share about the Holiday Classic 2008? Click on the yellow comment box below this post or send an e-mail to SpecialOlympics.WestHawaii@gmail.com.

The following are wonderful photos taken by volunteer coordinator KC Strand and volunteer Eric Cleintuar during the Holiday Classic. The colorful captions were written by Nikki Cleintuar. Enjoy!

FRIDAY, DEC. 5

In lieu of the usual military aircraft, the teams flew to Oahu on Mokulele Airlines for the first time this year. It was a nice little regional jet with real seats, windows and fresh hot coffee. Smile Andy!

Unified partners Carol and Andy Barfoot get a briefing from Coach Lona Warner (right) before heading off to their first competitions, which were held at Hickam Air Force Base and Kaneohe Marine Corps Base.

It was “hit the ground bowling” for some of the Unified teams scheduled at K-Bay. After traveling and competing all morning, athlete Duke Kaawa, of the Kona Ninja Honu team, looks like he’s ready for his afternoon nap.

Following Friday night’s dinner, served up by Panda Express at a Hickam AFB hanger, athletes were invited to enjoy the exhibits in Olympic Town while waiting to make their entrance into Opening Ceremonies. Here, athlete Ray Donager tries out a police motorcycle. Vvvrrooom!

Athlete Henry Langidrik captures priceless memories on his camcorder.

SOWH is staged and ready for their turn to march into the Opening Ceremonies venue.

Presentation of the colors by the military guard is the first order of business at Opening Ceremonies.

SOWH’s Hula Halau Makanani, under the direction of Kumu Hula and head bowling coach Lona Warner, was invited to perform as part of the entertainment. All four kane dancers are SOWH athletes. The wahine are regular halau members who also serve as SOWH volunteers. From left to right: the dancers are Ronona Della-Cioppa, Duke Kaawa, Adrian Cleintuar, Lona Warner, Doreen Parker, Shane Follosco, Ray Donager, Madeline Follosco and Barbara Bach.

Halau Makanani is the only inclusive hula school in Hawaii, where dancers with intellectual disabilities have the opportunity to learn and perform alongside their non-disabled peers. The audience was much larger than they were used to (which was a little intimidating at first) but the appreciative “roar of the crowd” was encouraging and, according to SOWH volunteer Eric Cleintuar, “They were great; I’ve never seen them dance better!”

Athlete Michael Makanui (center) his mom, Sharon Yong (left), his brother and unified partner, Josh Yong (right), and dad Bob (wearing white hat and on the phone) enjoy the music of a live band at opening ceremonies.

SATURDAY, DEC. 6

Each day at the State Games starts with a hearty breakfast at the “chow hall” (generously provided compliments of the U.S. Armed Services) before catching a bus to the first round of competition.

Singles bowling was held on Saturday. Preparing to hit the lanes (from left to right) are unified partner Chipper Chapple, athlete Shannon Salas, athlete Cory Enriquez, athelete Amy Aguiar, athelete Preston Buckley and unified partner Barbara Bach.

Kimmie Grisham flashes a beautiful, happy smile. She’s been training for months to compete at the Holiday Classic. It’s finally here and life is good.

Unified partner Andy Barfoot (left) and athlete Alvin Carvalho their singles games finished, stay on to cheer for their fellow West Hawaii teammates.

Athlete Mary Connor does a little victory dance from the No. 1 position on the awards stand after taking the gold medal in her bowling division.

Members of the Kona Sharks and Kona Sunset teams proudly display their bowling medals. From left to right are unified partner Stephanie Kaneshiro, athlete Preston Buckley, unified partner Chipper Chapple, athlete Cory Enriquez, athlete Shannon Salas, athlete Amy Aguiar, unified partner Tony Enriquez and unified partner Barbara Bach.

The Kona Wongs and Kona Strikers Unified bowling teams also brought home some hardware. Down in front is athlete Adrian Cleintuar. In back, from left to right, are unified partners Eva and Jacob Wong, athletes Isaiah and Quentin Wong, unified partners Kelly Yonemura and Eric Cleintuar, and athlete Ray Donager.

Athletes Mary Conner and Henry Langidrik compare their winning bowling muscles.

SUNDAY, DEC. 7

Even with decades of  experiences under their belts, athletes Alvin Carvalho (left) and Norman Matsubara still find each year as thrilling an adventure as their first.
Athlete Lois Phillip (left) and volunteer Carol Barfoot react to the exciting final minutes of the last basketball game.

While waiting for their pizza lunch in the gym after the last basketball game, volunteer Krystal Welch checks her camera, assistant coach Matt Martin goes over some stats and basketball athlete Jason Nagatori (right) catches a little time to reflect on what proved to be, a very challenging tournament for the Panthers.

It’s time for Closing Ceremonies, for joining hands with the group and singing Hawaii Aloha before heading back to the airport. Athlete Byron Pabre is a little sad to see the games end, but he smiles anyway, remembering the three wonderful days he just spent doing what he loves: playing basketball with his friends.

Unified partner and awesome SOWH Web site photographer Eric Cleintuar relaxes before his flight and talks about his experience at the Holiday Classic.

From left to right: athlete Robbie Sanoria, athlete Kimmie Grisham and chaperone Debbie Collector talk story in the airport.

Chaperone Madeline Follosco and athlete Shane Follosco hang out before their flight back to the Big Island. Shane is showcasing his “Westside Pride” by wearing his medals from the Holiday Classic.

Chaperone Toshie Takahashi-Ruiz and athlete Marinna Takahashi-Ruiz relax before their flight back home to the Big Island.

The fabulous SOWH athletes, coaches, unified partners, chaperones and volunteers that participated in the 2008 Holiday Classic. Congrats for a job well done.