Special Olympics West Hawaii

When it’s played the way it’s supposed to be played, basketball happens in the air; flying, floating, elevated above the floor, levitating the way people of this earth imagine themselves in their dreams.

— John Edgar Wideman

Volunteer Nikki Cleintuar wrote the following captions and took the awesome images of Special Olympics West Hawaii athletes, coaches and volunteers at Tuesday’s basketball practice. Mahalo for capturing and sharing the moments below.
May this great service bring others joy.

Basketball head coach and SOWH Area director David Ross is ready to pump up his players in their last week of practice before the big Holiday Classic weekend on Oahu.

Safe and smart. That’s SOWH’s motto. Each basketball practice session begins with a full contingent of warm-ups, laps and stretches.

New SOWH athlete Frankie Sheldon (left) is deciding if basketball could be his sport of choice. He came to check out the action with his personal assistant and friend Eric.

SOWH athlete Shannon Salas (center) waits from his rebound from SOWH athlete Jason Nagatori’s shot, with back up from basketball assistant coach Matt Martin (right).

SOWH athlete Robert Sanoria executes a jump shot during drills.

Basketball head coach gets ready to block SOWH athlete Wendy Carey’s pass.

SOWH athlete Marinna Takahashi-Ruiz shoots for two while basketball head coach Dave Ross tries fro the rebound.

From left to right: SOWH athletes Duke Kaawa, Shannon Salas and Marianna Takahashi-Ruiz think basketball practic is more than just a good workout. For the trio, it also means having fun, as well as hanging out and sharing laughs with friends.

Meet the West Hawaii Panthers. Kneeling, from left to right, are Wendy Carey, head coach Dave Ross, Dara Sabri, Jason Nagatori and Shane Follosco. In the center is Duke Kaawa. Standing in back, from left to right, are Robbie Sanoria, Byron Pabre, assistant coach Matt Martin, Shannon Salas, Patrick Dungate and Marinna Takahashi-Ruiz.

Special Olympics West Hawaii is participating in the Holiday Classic, held annually in December at both Hickam Air Force Base and the Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base. This event includes 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.

Participating athletes, unified partners, coaches and chaperones must proudly wear their SOWH yellow T-shirts, bring a brown bag breakfast and be at the Kona International Airport no later than 8 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5. They will be departing on Mokuele Airlines Flight #891 at 9:36 a.m. and arriving in Honolulu at 10:16 a.m. However, unified partner Ronona Della-Cioppa and athlete Apple Isidro are on Hawaiian Airlines Flight #217, leaving at 7:03 a.m.

Please remember that due to heightened security, all liquids must be under 3.4 ounces and placed in a separate Ziplock bag for screening. Double check the placement of liquids, which will save big hassles at the airport.

Besides breakfast on Dec. 5, all other meals and housing are included. Athletes may bring spending money if they desire. Those traveling with medicine must fill our a medication release form.

SOWH will be staying at Pearl Harbor and Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base. Towels and soap will not be provided. Maps are available of Hickam Air Force Base, Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base, and Naval Station Pearl Harbor on the Special Olympics Hawaii Web site.

Packing list includes: a good attitude, three pairs of shorts, three shirts, four pairs of socks, athletic shoes, four pairs of underwear, sleep clothes, swim trunks or bathing suit, dance clothes, toiletries, shower towel, feminine hygiene products (if necessary), jacket, hat, sunscreen, water bottle and medication.

“It will be a great weekend of fun and competition,” said Dave Ross, SOWH area director.

The Holiday Classic schedule is as follows:

Friday, Dec. 5
12 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Team Basketball (All Divisions) - Hickam Air Force Base Main Gym, Pearl Harbor Sub-Base Gym & Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Semper Fit Center.
12 p.m. - 3 p.m.: Unified Bowling - Kaneohe Bay Lanes, Doubles Bowling -Hickam Lanes and Pearl Harbor Lanes
7:30 p.m.: Opening Ceremonies - Hanger # 35 - Hickam Air Force Base

Saturday, Dec. 6
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Competition, Team Basketball - (All Divisions) - Hickam Air Force Base Main Gym, Pearl Harbor Sub-Base Gym & Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Gym
8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Competition, Bocce - Football Field behind Hickam Bowling Center
8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.: Competition, Singles Bowling - Hickam Lanes & K-Bay Lanes
8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Competition, Bocce Doubles, Football Field behind Hickam Bowling Center
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Olympic Town - Beside Hickam Bowling Center & K-Bay Bowling Center
7 - 10 p.m.: Victory Dance - Kaneohe Bay Enlisted Club

Sunday, Dec. 7
8:30 a.m. - 9 a.m.: Competition, Individual Skills Basketball - Pearl Harbor Sub-Base Gym
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Competition, Team Basketball - (All Divisions) - Hickam Air Force Base Main Gym, Pearl Harbor Sub-Base Gym & Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Gym
8 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Competition, Bocce Unified Doubles- Football Field Behind Hickam Bowling Center
8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: Competition, Unified® Bowling - Hickam Lanes and Kaneohe Bay Lanes
12:30 p.m. - 1 p.m.: Closing Ceremonies - Hickam Main Gym & K-Bay Base Gym

For more information about the Holiday Classic, contact Lona Warner, SOWH head of delegation, at 808-327-0491, 808-989-2080 or biglona@hotmail.com.

Sign-ups are now underway for the Special Olympics West Hawaii basketball, bocce and bowling leagues. Participants will learn teamwork and skills of relating to the games. Everyone is welcomed, including athletes, unified partners, volunteers and coaches.

Basketball is bouncing its way into the season, which kicks off Thursday, Sept. 25. Practices will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Old Kona Airport gym.

Bowling begins Sunday, Sept. 28. Practice will occur at 10 a.m. Sundays at Kona Bowl, located at 75-5591 Palani Rd. in Kailua-Kona. Mandatory bowling for SOWH athletes will take place on Saturday, Oct. 18, in Hilo and Sunday, Oct. 26, in Kona. Unified partners are also required to be present Sunday, Oct. 26, in Kona.

All SOWH athletes and unified partners will compete the Holiday Classic at both Hickam Air Force Base and the Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base. This event is from Friday, Dec. 5, to Sunday, Dec. 7. It includes a multi-divison basketball tournament and Individual Skills Competition, Singles, Doubles and Unified Team Bowling competitions, and traditional and unified Doubles Bocce tournaments.

“Everyone is welcomed, but you can only participate in one sport for the state games,” said Lona Warner, SOWH head of delegation. “If you cannot be there for all these dates, do not sign up. Bocce will be determined as soon as we find out how many athletes and unified partners are interested in the sports. Please call me as soon as possible.”

To get involved with the SOWH bowling, bocce and basketball leagues, contact Warner at 327-0491, 989-2080 or biglona@hotmail.com.

GET EXCITED. That’s right, sports fans, enthusiasts and budding athletes. Basketball and bowling seasons for Special Olympics West Hawaii is approaching. These sports begin September 28 and last until the first weekend of December, when SOWH will compete at the Holiday Classic at Hickam Air Force Base on Oahu.

Athletes interested in competing and showing off their mad skills should sign up with SOWH Area Director Dave Ross, who can be reached at 808-345-1344 or sowhdave@yahoo.com.

Volunteers are needed to serve as unified partners for bowling. SOWH is also seeking people willing to take coaches training for these sports.