Special Olympics West Hawaii

Special Olympics West Hawaii is hosting its first-ever Ohana Jam Fest Aug. 30 at the Keauhou Kona Yatch Club on Keauhou Bay.

From noon to 8 p.m., there will be performances by local bands, food, drinks, and door prizes donated by Big Island businesses.

Attendees are asked to give a $10 donation as a suggested admission. All the proceeds will go to SOWH, a free, year-round program dedicated to helping children and adults with intellectual disabilities improve their quality of life through sports.

SOWH helps athletes develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skill and friendship with fellow athletes, families and the community. SOWH teams compete in Area Games on the Big Island and on Maui in order to qualify for the State Games on Oahu, where Special Olympics teams throughout the Hawaiian Islands compete for medals. SOWH is a nonprofit organization that is funded by donations, said Area Director Dave Ross.

The money received goes toward transportation and housing costs, sports equipment, coaches training, and local events such as community barbeques. SOWH appreciates the support of the local community and makes giving back a priority. Annually, SOWH participates in service projects like beach cleanups, tree plantings, as well as runs aid stations for Ironman events, The Kona Marathon, and The Visitor Industry Charity Walk, Ross said.

For more information about the Ohana Jam Fest or SOWH, contact Ross at 345-1344 or sowhdave@yahoo.com. Also visit www.sowh.org.

Special Olympics West Hawaii athletes and volunteers donned their official shirts and worked Aug. 16 alongside Denny’s Restaurant employees as waiters and greeters to raise funds and awareness for SOWH.

The Project Compassion event was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Kona and Denny’s. Corporate sponsors included Great American Self Storage and Sign-a-Rama.

From 4 to 9 p.m., Denny’s donated 100 percent of the tips received, as well as 20 percent of all food and drink sales, raising nearly $1,500 for SOWH. All of these funds will stay in West Hawaii to help pay for uniforms, equipment, transportation, competition, coach training and leadership opportunities for SOWH athletes.

Volunteers had a great time taking orders, serving, greeting customers and chatting with folks about SOWH. All the extra “apprentices” in the service areas turned Denny’s normally smooth and efficient operation into a crazy party scene, but “real” Denny’s employees were extremely gracious and accommodating. Several employees said, “We do this once a month – it’s no problem we’re happy to help!”

SOWH sends a very big mahalo to all the wonderful Denny’s people. It also wanted to thank The Rotary Club of Kona for naming SOWH the Project Compassion recipient for the month of August. Another mahalo goes to Rotarian, SOWH volunteer and head swim coach Holly DeGeal,who got SOWH a spot on the Rotary Club’s meeting agenda this month, where SOWH Area Director Dave Ross, along with athletes Casey Haydon and Adrian Cleintuar, gave a presentation to the Rotary membership. Recognition also goes to Great American Self Storage and Sign-a-Rama for their ongoing support and volunteers.

As always, SOWH appreciates the people at the heart of this program whose year-round efforts and enthusiasm make it work: Ross and his team of SOWH athletes, volunteers, coaches and families.

Please enjoy the following photos, taken by SOWH Volunteer Coordinator KC Strand, during the Project Compassion event. To view the entire album, click here.

What local nonprofit organization provides sports training, on- and off-island competitions and receives no state or federal funding? What group is entirely run by volunteers and does not charge the participants and the participant’s families any training or travel expenses? If you guessed Special Olympics West Hawaii, you would be correct.

Hawaii Island residents and visitors will be able to support SOWH while enjoying a meal at the Kailua-Kona Denny’s Restaurant between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Sunday, August 16. Denny’s will donate 100 percent of the tips received during this time and 20 percent of all food and drink sales to SOWH.

Project Compassion is a partnership between the Rotary Club of Kona, Denny’s Restaurant and several non-profit organizations in Hawaii. The monthly events have raised awareness for many Big Island non-profits and thousands of dollars to support their programs. All proceeds from the events go to the participating charities.

Special Olympics, founded over 40 years ago by Eunice Kennedy Shriver, believes that people with intellectual disabilities can participate in and benefit from participation in team and individual sports with the proper instruction and encouragement. Local and statewide competitions give these athletes the opportunity to measure personal growth and promotes the physical, mental and social development of the participants. Families are strengthened and the broader community benefits from seeing these athletes grow and participate in sports activities.

SOWH’s activities include basketball, softball, T-ball, track & field, swimming, power lifting, soccer and Bocce. All activities take place in an environment that promotes equality, respect and acceptance.

The Athlete’s Oath of Special Olympics is: “Let me win. But if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” This oath signifies the importance of competition, personal effort and good sportsmanship.

The monies raised from the Project Compassion fundraiser will go toward supporting the Special Olympics West Hawaii’s programs and mission. This includes providing funds for transportation, uniforms and equipment. 

Residents and visitors are encouraged to enjoy a meal and support a wonderful local organization on August 16 at Denny’s. Reservations are not required.
For more information about Special Olympics West Hawaii, contact David Ross at 808-345-1344 or by email at sowhdave@yahoo.com. Also learn more about SOWH programs online at www.sowh.org.

To learn more  about the the Rotary Club of Kona’s Project Compassion, send an e-mail to Sue McConnel, who can be reached at samcconnel@aol.com.

Earlier this year, the Editorial Department at West Hawaii Today realized it had an explosive problem — the verbal kind.

In particular, certain co-workers had been dropping the F-bomb every time they got off the phone, had computer problems, or dealt with an unreasonable person or issue. In stressful situations, their vulgar ranting rose.

“Frustration. Joking. We don’t need a reason. We just do it because we want to,” said Kim Eaton, universal desk person and reporter, explaining the swearing. “Perhaps, we were all sailors in another life.”

Editor Reed Flickinger decided to transform the outbursts of foul language into a fundraiser for Special Olympics West Hawaii because “it’s a good cause.”

Now every time a reporter, editor, photographer, page designer, copy editor, visitor or interviewee uses the infamous F-bomb in the newsroom, he or she must pay 25 cents. That money goes into “The F-Bomb Kitty” — a bank sitting on Flickinger’s desk. Carolyn Lucas, reporter and SOWH blog editor, often thanks participants for their expletive and contributing to SOWH. When the kitty is full or deemed “heavy enough,” the money — usually between $10 to $25 — is given to SOWH.

In a June 29 letter addressed to the West Hawaii Today Editorial F-Bombers, SOWH Area Director Dave Ross wrote, “It’s nice to see dirty words make for happy things. Your stress-induced cursing is a great help so we can carry out the mission of Special Olympics Hawaii: to provide year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. Our program helps athletes to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skill and friendship with fellow athletes, families and the community.”

“Oddly enough we frown on our athletes dropping the F-Bombs on the field. When they do, they get to run laps and do push-ups. But your zingers get us a shiny quarter! Sweet,” Ross’ letter stated. “Your support honors their accomplishments and encourages the efforts of our dedicated volunteers. On behalf of the athletes, families and volunteers who partipate in SOWH events throughout the year, thank you for your continued support. Remember to let it all out when those deadlines come crashing down.”

Panda Express is donating 20 percent of all items bought Thursday, May 7, to Special Olympics Hawaii when customers use a special flyer with their purchase from 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Special Olympics Hawaii will give the proceeds from this fundraiser to the various areas — including Special Olympics West Hawaii — it serves.

“Panda Express is now a great supporter of ours; having donated close to 4,000 meals to us in the last year and a half,” said Dan Epstein, Special Olympics Hawaii vice president of sports. “They will also be donating 1,500 more meals at the upcoming Summer Games. We really want to support them like they have been supporting us.”

Panda Express is located in the Kona Commons shopping center in Kailua-Kona.

If you would like a coupon or need more information, contact Dan Epstein at 808-943-8808 ext. 26 or sports@specialolympicshawaii.org.

Special Olympics West Hawaii is participating in the 31st annual Visitor Industry Charity Walk, a statewide event that occurs simultaneously Saturday, May 16, on Oahu, Maui, the Big Island and Kauai.

More than 9,500 walkers raised $1.12 million and helped 190 local charities, including SOWH, in 2008.

The Big Island event begins at 7:45 a.m. for runners and 8 a.m. for walkers at Anaehoomalu Bay in Waikoloa.

Volunteers are needed to man the SOWH aid station located along the walking route. Want to help? Contact Dave Ross, SOWH area director, at 808-345-1344 or sowhdave@yahoo.com.

SOWH athletes, coaches, volunteers, families, friends and supporters are also encouraged to participate in the Charity Walk. The entry is $35 for adults and $25 for those under 18 years of age, which includes a morning of fun, food, entertainment and exercise. For more information about the Charity Walk, call Lynne Nagaoka, of the Waikoloa Beach Marriott Resort, at 808-886-8129 or Bambi Lau, of the Hilton Waikoloa Village, at 808-886-2884.

Ross has pledge sheets, with a goal of $35 per entrant, for those interested in running, walking or simply just donating.

“This is a fun event, a casual stroll followed by great food and tunes on the beach. It is also a huge fundraising event for SOWH,” he said. “Our monies raised in donations have no bearing on the size of the donation we receive. It is all about how many people we have turn in a form. So let’s do it.”

Special Olympics West Hawaii thanks the many people — individuals, law enforcement officers, businesses, organizations, sponsors and local media — who made our annual Fueling Dreams fundraiser at the Queen Kaahumanu Tesoro station a huge success.

Because of your extraordinary efforts, generousity and pure aloha, $4,121.73 was raised in two days. All of the raised money will stay in West Hawaii. It will be used to help our athletes attend competitions on Maui and Oahu, as well as pay for sports equipment and uniforms.

Monetary gains such as this also help Special Olympics West Hawaii fulfill its purpose of providing year-round sports training and competition for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. By participating in such sports, physical fitness and healthcare education programs, athletes increase self-confidence and social skills, improve physical and motor skills, and have better success in leading more productive and independent lives.

We would like to give a special kudos to the Hawaii Police Department, U.S. Customs, Tesoro Hawaii, Knights of Columbus, and West Hawaii Today. You rock!

Also, thanks to Hawaii247.org and KonaWeb.com for announcing and sharing the event with the online community.

West Hawaii Today reporter Erin Miller wrote a fantastic article about the Fueling Dreams fundraiser, which was published April 3 and can be viewed on the newspaper’s Web site. Here’s an excerpt:

The smiles on athletes’ faces as they play their hearts out and the high-fives afterward, no matter the final score — those rewards are the driving force that keep volunteers like Walter Ah Mow at events like the Fueling Dreams fundraiser for Special Olympics that ends Friday afternoon.

“To see their faces, no words can explain it,” Ah Mow said.

Ah Mow, a detective, was one of several police officers and other volunteers who spent about six hours on Thursday turning the self-serve Queen Kaahumanu Tesoro station into a full-service experience. The change was done at no charge, but other Special Olympics volunteers, athletes and their families were standing by to talk more about the program and ask for donations.

Congratulations to all for a job well done. Mahalo for fueling dreams.

Please enjoy the following photos, taken by SOWH volunteer coordinator KC Strand, at this year’s event. To see the entire album, click here.

Six Special Olympics teams from Kona, Hilo and Honokaa will compete in the Big Island softball tournament April 11 at the fields behind the Kona Community Aquatic Center on Kuakini Highway.

Through this competition, teams qualify for the Summer Games held at the University of Hawaii-Manoa from May 29 to May 30. Summer Games marks the end of the Spring season.

Opening ceremonies for the Big Island softball tournament begin promptly at 9:15 a.m. Volunteers should check in between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

Volunteers are needed to prepare and hand out awards; give snacks and drinks to spectators, athletes and volunteers; be on hand to handle minor injuries; as well as help people check in, answer questions and lend a hand.

Donations are being sought for snacks, drinks, lunches, paper goods, ice, medial supplies, and tents. Contributing businesses and organizations can have their banners displayed at the tournament.

For more information or to donate, call Dave Ross, Special Olympics West Hawaii area director, at 345-1344 or send an e-mail to sowhdave@yahoo.com. Also visit www.sowh.org.

The Hawaii Police Department and volunteers will carry the “Flame of Hope” through the streets of Kailua-Kona in an effort to raise awareness and funds for the athletes of Special Olympics West Hawaii. This event, known as the “Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics,” is a tradition in the law enforcement community around the world.

On Saturday, April 11, the officers and supporters will be in Kona for the West Hawaii Torch Run. The event begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Old Kona Airport Park. The “Flame of Hope” will be carried from the park to Hale Halawai via Kuakini Highway, Palani Road and Alii Drive. At Hale Halawai, the torch runners will turn around and return to the park.

Police officers will be directing traffic at the intersections of Kuakini Highway/Palani Road and Kopiki Street/Palani Road.

The Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run is a coordinated project of the Hawaii Police Department and Special Olympics Hawaii. The Torch Run was created in 1981 by Chief Richard Lamunyon of Wichita, Kansas, who, along with a couple of deputies, ran the first torch run for Special Olympics. The torch is now carried by law enforcement officers — referred to as “Guardians of the Flame” — in every state and in more than 40 other countries. This International Torch Run, which lost money in 1981, raised more than $32 million world wide in 2008. In Hawaii, the torch run is named after fallen Honolulu Police Officer Troy Barboza, who volunteered as a Special Olympics coach and participated in the first Torch Run in Hawaii.

To participate in the Torch Run or make a donation to SOWH, call 326-4646. Ask for Detective Walter Ah Mow at extension 238, Detective Renee Morinaka at extension 301, or Sergeant Rollin Rabara at extension 315.

Those who make donations of $20 or more will receive a free commemorative 2009 Troy Barboza/First Hawaiian Bank Law Enforcement Torch Run T-shirt or tank top. (A $25 donation entitles the donor to a long-sleeved shirt or one in XXXL size).