Special Olympics West Hawaii

Jeremy Curlings, founder of Making Smiles Count, attended Special Olympics West Hawaii’s kickoff barbecue and T-ball practice in February 2010. He enjoyed meeting and hanging out with SOWH athletes, volunteers, coaches and the rest of the ohana. Impressed and honored to have met so many wonderful people, he decided to do something special.

While at the annual Summer Games and other Special Olympics events in Washington, D.C., and Maryland, Curlings notice organizers giving away their leftover T-shirts. He grabbed a few and decided to give them to SOWH athletes.

“I chose to give T-shirts from Washington, D.C., events because the athletes in West Hawaii have heard of our nation’s Capitol. I thought would it not be cool for some of them to be able to have something from our nation’s Capitol that has to do with Special Olympics,” Curlings said. “This was also a way for me to show to many of the Special Olympics West Hawaii athletes that I was thinking about them.”

Curlings writes a personal message, as well as signs each T-shirts. Of course, he adds the M.S.C., which stands for Making Smiles Count. Of the 24 T-shirts, he has nine left — eight mediums and one large.

Any SOWH athlete, volunteer, coach, unified partner or family member interested in receiving one of these special T-shirts should email MSCMakingSmiles@aol.com.

Curlings thanked the Special Olympics organizers in Washington, D.C., and Maryland for giving him the event shirts, which have allowed him to give an awesome gift. He plans to mail the T-shirts this week to SOWH Area Director Dave Ross, who will pass them out.

Asked what he wants the T-shirt recipients to take way, Curlings responded, “A smile.   And, I hope they know there are people in this world that are 5,000 miles away that have helped their son’s and daughters in the past and have not forgotten about them.”

The following photos were taken by SOWH volunteer Nikki Cleintuar. She delightfully captured SOWH Area Director Dave Ross delivering T-shirts Curlings sent to local athletes, volunteers and coaches.

Special Olympics West Hawaii athletes, unified partners and volunteers interested in learning or competing in bocce ball should attend the sport’s first practice, from 3:15 to 5 p.m. June 8 at Pualani Estates park.

This ancient game, dating back to the Roman Empire, closely resembles bowling. It requires skill, strategy and a little luck. There are four to eight large balls, weighing just over two pounds. They differentiated by designs. The Jack, a smaller ball in a different color, is tossed first. Whoever lands his larger ball closest to the Jack gets a point. The person with the most points wins.

Practice will be held from 3:15 to 5 p.m. Tuesdays and Fridays at the park.

For more information or to get involved, call SOWH Head of Delegation and Bocce Ball Coach Lona Warner at 808-327-0491 or 808-989-2080.

Please enjoy the following photos taken during Special Olympics Hawaii’s Summer Games. held at the University of Hawaii over Memorial Day weekend. This event features 3 days of competition for more 700 athletes in Track & Field (Athletics), Swimming (Aquatics), Powerlifting, and Softball (includes Unified® Softball, Coach Pitch, T-Ball, and Individual Skills). The Summer Games marks the end of the Spring season.

Special Olympics West Hawaii’s softball team brought home the gold medal, beating Hilo’s team 18 to 2 for the championship, said Nikki Cleintuar, longtime SOWH volunteer and spokeswoman.

“Congratulations to all our athletes. Mahalo to Area Director Dave Ross, all the coaches and volunteers,” she said. “Your hard work, caring and support helped to make it a great season and a fantastic weekend.”

Thanks to SOWH volunteers Jizelle Yates and the Wong ohana, as well as Coach Denise Lindsey, for sharing your fantastic photos with Special Olympics West Hawaii ohana. To view, Denise’s entire album, click here. The Wong’s album is here.

Please enjoy the following photos taken during Special Olympics West Hawaii’s annual fundraiser, Cop On Top. To learn more about the event, read the fantastic articles written by West Hawaii Today reporter Chelsea Jensen and Hawaii247.com.

View the entire album of awesome photos taken by Nikki Cleintuar and other SOWH volunteers by clicking here.

Seven West Hawaii lifters vied for honors in the Weinberg Regional Powerlifting Meet, held Sunday, April 11, at The Club in Kona following the Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run. Participation in this meet qualifies athletes for the next level of competition: State Summer Games on Oahu (May 28, 29 and 30).

Head Coach Denise Lindsey, as well as Assistant Coaches Ben Sulliban, Shannon Hardy, Kapiolani Tachera, Jizell Yates and Josh Yong, have had their athletes practicing hard since the first of the year. It showed in this meet. Proper training is very systematic and each individual lifter’s plan must be customized to help them reach their maximum potential with absolute safety.

There are only a handful of qualified coaches in the entire state who have the knowledge and experience to run a top-notch program. Coach Lindsey, a champion lifter in her own right, is the best-of-the-best. Special Olympics West Hawaii is grateful for her continuing years of service to Team West Hawaii, as well as the State powerlifting program.

“This has been an exciting and challenging season,” Lindsey said. “All but two of our powerlifters are completely new to the sport and our team ranges in age from 14 to 50. Also, we have three women competing this year, which is great.”

A quality program attracts help from many sources and Lindsey is grateful for that.

“I must give props to the assistant coaches,” she said. “Without their love and support for the program, it would be almost impossible for me to do this solo. Our Special Olympics powerlifting athletes respect one another and their coaches. This respect was nurtured and taught before they entered powerlifting. I believe it began with a great family foundation and a wonderful community to back it up. I am proud and grateful to be a part of Special Olympics.”

A powerlifting competition consists of three separate lift events (squat, bench press and deadlift). Each category of lift is repeated in three rounds, with the best lift used as the final score. There is also one “combination” score which is calculated upon a variety of factors, including all three lifts and body weight.

Below are the final lifts from this meet. Be sure to check back after Summer Games to see how our team stacked up against all our competitors statewide.

ATHLETE — SQUAT — BENCH — DEADLIFT — COMBO
Shannon Salas (1st year) N/A N/A 45 N/A
Edna Phillip (1st year, age 50) N/A 65 170 235
Lois Phillip (1st year, age 48) N/A 55 135 190
Ray Donager (World Games gold winner) 245 180 265 690
Isaiah Wong (age 18) 275 210 410 895
Marinna Takahashi-Ruiz (age 14) N/A N/A 90 N/A
Joel van der Hoek (1st year, age 14) N/A 60 175 235

Congratulations to all the athletes who worked hard to be ready for this competition. We are so proud of you! Mahalo nui loa to everyone who helped make this competition possible and successful.

Area Director: Dave Ross
Head Coach: Denise Lindsey
Asst. Coaches: Ben Sulliban, Shannon Hardy, Kapiolani Tachera, Jizell Yates & Josh Yong
Sponsors: The Club in Kona & Café Fit
Judges: Winston Ho, “Chisel” and Clyde Omaya
Loaders/Spotters: Darren Elisaga, Lupaka & Brian Hart
Scorekeeper: Nancy Conception
Announcer: Maggie Lobo
Medical: Head of Delegation Lona Warner
Awards: Adrian Cleintuar
Fans in da Stands: You know who you are. Thank you!

West Hawaii Today Publisher Rick Asbach and Editor Reed Flickinger, as well as reporters Kim Eaton, Chelsea Jensen, Carolyn Lucas and Erin Miller, will be participating in a dunk tank fundraiser at 5 p.m. Friday (April 30) at Safeway on Henry Street in Kailua-Kona as part of Special Olympics West Hawaii’s annual Cop On Top fundraiser.

Cop On Top, happening now through Saturday, is the biggest fundraiser for SOWH, a year-round program dedicated to helping children and adults with intellectual disabilities improve their quality of life through sports. During the event, local police officers are on scaffolding at the Safeway, where they rally support and drop buckets below to those passing by for donations to SOWH.

While doing an interview with Jensen Thursday morning, police officers issued a challenge for Asbach and Flickinger: get into the dunk tank and raise money for SOWH. To give their bosses an incentive, the reporters vowed late Thursday afternoon to participate if they did. SOWH Area Director Dave Ross even made appearance to the newspaper’s office, personally inviting Asbach and Flickinger to participate.

There will be a fee to throw balls at the target. For instance, $5 to $10 for three balls. The price will be determined by the police officers.

For more information about SOWH or Cop On Top, call Ross at 345-1344.

PLEASE ENJOY THE FOLLOWING PHOTOS WEST HAWAII TODAY REPORTER AND SOWH BLOG EDITOR CAROLYN LUCAS TOOK DURING THE NEWSPAPER’S DUNK TANK FUNDRAISER AT COP ON TOP.

West Hawaii Today Editor Reed Flickinger

A boy assesses the dunk tank situation while West Hawaii Today Editor Reed Flickinger and SOWH Area Director Dave Ross look on.

West Hawaii Today Editor Reed Flickinger shown after his time in the dunk tank. Reporter Chelsea Jensen gets in next while local police officers invite passerbyers to get it their best shot.

West Hawaii Today Editor Reed Flickinger tries to dunk his boss — Publisher Rick Asbach.

West Hawaii Today Publisher Rick Asbach heckling the crowd.

West Hawaii Today Editor Reed Flickinger takes his best shot at Walter Ah Mow, of the Hawaii Police Department, who challenged the newspaper staff to get in the dunk tank.

West Hawaii Today Publisher Rick Asbach

MORE FUN PHOTOS FROM THE FUNDRAISER TAKEN BY WEST HAWAII TODAY REPORTER ERIN MILLER.

SOWH Blog Editor and West Hawaii Today Reporter Carolyn Lucas

SOWH Area Director Dave Ross helps a boy dunk West Hawaii Today Editor Reed Flickinger.

Kailua-Kona resident Angel Eaton tries to dunk her mom's boss — West Hawaii Today Editor Reed Flickinger.

Special Olympics West Hawaii volunteer Doreen Parker took the following photos from the Swim Meet on Maui, which she described as a successful trip and great time.

“We have an awesome team — the SOWH Sharks,” she said. “Mahalo plenty to Lona, Toshi, Dan, Chris, Sandie and Kit for making my job easier!”

West Hawaii Today reporter and Special Olympics West Hawaii Blog editor Carolyn Lucas wrote an awesome article about the Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run, which benefits Special Olympics. The story was published April 12 and can be viewed on the newspaper’s Web site. Here’s an excerpt:

Speech wasn’t necessary to communicate 18-year-old Isaiah Wong’s joy Sunday.

The nonverbal Special Olympics West Hawaii athlete clutched tightly in his hand the “Flame of Hope,” smiled enormously upon seeing the crowd gathered at The Club in Kailua-Kona and finished the Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run with heart.

“I’m speechless. There are no words to describe our gratitude for Special Olympics. This organization means so much to Isaiah and our close-knit family,” said Norma Wong, his mother. “Isaiah has autism. This is his second year with Special Olympics, which has helped him grow socially, boost his self-confidence and fulfill his passion for competition. It’s also something that brings us even closer to together as a family.

Please enjoy the following photos taken by fantastic SOWH volunteer Nikki Cleintuar. To view the entire album, click here.

Please enjoy the following photos taken during Special Olympics West Hawaii’s annual softball tournament, which took place March 28 at the Old Kona Airport fields. Six Big Island softball and T-ball teams competed for spots at the State Special Olympic Summer Games held in late May on Oahu.

To view the entire album, click here. Nikki Cleintuar, a SOWH volunteer and fantastic lady, took these photos.