Special Olympics West Hawaii

West Hawaii Today reporter Daniel Brock wrote a super “Short Hops” brief, which was published Tuesday, Aug. 26, in the Sports section. It details how the Special Olympics West Hawaii soccer team captured the gold medal at the Aukake Classic on Oahu.

Here is an excerpt:

The team — comprised of Jason Nagatori, Alvin Carvalho, Shannon Salas, Robbie Sanoria and Hanato-Wells — went 6-0 in the five-on-five tournament, scoring 22 goals and conceding just four.

Perhaps more impressively, due to the illness of a pair of players, they did so with no substitutes for the entire run of play.

“It’s fun to get to see these guys enjoy themselves,” said Coach Andy Barfoot, who along with assistant Steve Strand, has worked with the team for the past several months. “But we do work hard at it.”

CONGRATS! To view the “Short Hops” item online, visit www.westhawaiitoday.com or click here.

Longtime volunteer Nikki Cleintuar took the following fabulous images of Special Olympics West Hawaii and East Hawaii teams, competing at the Big Island Games Day Saturday, July 22, 2008. A big mahalo goes out to Nikki and Special Olympics East Hawaii Area Director Carey Uchida, who helped with the captions.

ENJOY!

The Hilo Explosions All Stars soccer team suited up and ready to take the field for their first game. Kneeling in front, from left to right, is Karen Rita, Sean Conley and Jann Nakoa. Standing, from left to right, is Coach Jordan Canion, John Garry, Chris Liberato, Greg Villafuerte, Jeff Macaysa, Patricia Ugalde and Coach Sonny Kahili. (Note from Nikki: Wait a second. Who is that wearing the yellow hat and lurking in the background? Isn’t that West Hawaii soccer coach Andy Barfoot?)

The winning soccer team was the East Hawaii All Stars. Here the team proudly shows off their first place blue ribbons. Lower row, from left to right, is Chris Liberato, Greg Villafuerte, Karen Rita and John Garry. Upper row, from left to right, is Jann Nakoa, Sean Conley, Jeff Macaysa and Patricia Ugalde.

Go West Hawaii Lions! Kneeling, from left to right, is Kigen Hanato-Wells and Jason Nagatori. Standing, from left to right, is Robbie Sanoria, Head Coach, Andy Barfoot, Greg Routery, Alvin Carvalho, Shannon Salas, Assistant Coach Steve Strand.

East Hawaii bocce teams proudly display their awards. Mark Tellio and Trevor Yadao captured fourth place. Chandra Chee and Erica Shigematsu received third place. Eleanor Ibarra and Tiare Macanas got second place. Alson Pestrello and Dana Feldner won first place.

Let’s hear it for the home team! The West Hawaii Lions proudly receive their second place red ribbons. In front, from left to right, is Alvin Carvalho and goalie Jason Nagatori. Up in back, from left to right, is Greg Routery, Robbie Sanoria, Shannon Salas and Kigen Hanato-Wells.

The Hilo Explosions Dragons soccer team battled hard for its third place standing. From left to right is Coach Lori Nakashima, Special Olympics East Hawaii Area Director Cindy Uchida, Jocelyn Garcia, Joy Ushijima, Marco Melillo, Michael Mitts, Jason Pascua and Kyle Nakasone.

Here are the members of the West Hawaii bocce team. Kneeling, from left to right, is Kealoha “Ray” Donager, unified partner Kelly Yonemura and Norman Matsubara. Apple Isidro is in the wheelchair. Standing, from left to right, is Henry, Michael Tom Makanui, Amy Aguiar, unified partner Bob Yong, unified partner Carl Warner, unified partner Doreen Parker, Adrian Cleintuar, Duke Kaawa, Murray Williams, Coach Lona Warner and unified partner Amy Chang.

Here are the members of the Explosions bocce teams. Front row is Tiare Macanas, Darwin Nagamine, Brandon Reny Wong and Gail Yoshishige. Second row is Justin Legaspi, Lorien Bentley, Jillian Hatada, Teresa Moore, Denise DeMotta and Eleanor Ibarra. Back row is Mike Kimoto, Suzy Lauer, Les Matsumoto, Karen Melillo and Else Ushijima.

From left to right are Red Waves bocce players Eddie Ah Sing, Ehleeboy Umayas and unified partner Kalei Galario.

Live daringly, boldly, fearlessly. Taste the relish to be found in competition in having put forth the best within you.
— Henry J. Kaiser

Laura Shimabuku, West Hawaii Today freelance photographer and owner of Akamai Photographic in Kailua-Kona, took the following fabulous photos, featuring Special Olympics participants competing in the Big Island Games Day Saturday, July 22, 2008. Laura gave her permission, allowing SOWH to use her images and captions on this blog. May her work, featured below, bring a smile to the athletes and coaches, as well as their friends and families.

Ray Donager takes a shot during the bocce competition at the Big Island Games Day for Special Olympics.

Murray Williams lines up his bocce ball shot at the Big Island Games Day for Special Olympics.

Kelly Yonemura lines up his shot competing in bocce ball competition at the Big Island Games Day for Special Olympics.

Kelly Yonemura celebrates a good bocce ball shot.

Robbie Sonoria, of the Special Olympics West Hawaii Soccer Team, drives the ball downfield.

Robbie Sonoria, #13, of the Special Olympics West Hawaii Soccer Team scores a goal.

Teammates from Kelly Yonemura and Ray Donager take a break from the action at the Big Island Games Day for Special Olympics.

Ray Donager takes his shot at the bocce ball competition while his teammates look on.

Adrian Cleintaur celebrates and reenacts his great bocce ball throw at the Big Island Games Day Special Olympics.

The Special Olympics West Hawaii Soccer Team patiently and excitedly waits to receive awards. Front row includes: Alvin Carvalho and Jason Nagatori. The back row includes: Robbie Sonoria, Shannon Salas and Gregory Routery.

The Big Island Games Day for bocce and soccer will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 26, at Old Kona Airport’s soccer field. Special Olympics West Hawaii athletes and their unified partners will be competing against other island teams for a spot at the Aukake State Games, which will be held on Aug. 16 and 17 on Oahu.

Volunteers for the Big Island Games Day are needed. They will assist with athlete staging, scorekeeping, awards, medical and lunch. To help, contact Debbie Extor, SOWH volunteer coordinator, at 808-322-9567 or sowhdebbie@yahoo.com.

Attendance of families, friends and community members is always welcomed. So come and cheer on the SOWH teams.

Here are some suggested cheers from Carolyn Lucas, SOWH online communications director and former rah-rah-sis-boom-bah squad member.

FOR THE SOCCER TEAM:
We’re fired up, we’re sizzlin’
We’re turning up the heat.
When it comes to soccer,
Our team can’t be beat!

FOR THE BOCCE TEAM:
Come on, get up and scream,
We’re going crazy for the bocce team!

For more information about the Big Island Games Day or upcoming competitions, contact Lona Warner, SOWH head of delegation, 808-327-0491, 808-989-2080 or biglona@hotmail.com.

Soccer, also known as football, is considered the world’s most popular and fastest growing sport. It can be played by just about anybody. It has proven to be a fun and rewarding activity for Special Olympics West Hawaii athletes because it involves the participation of everyone constantly.

Longtime volunteer Nikki Cleintuar visited a SOWH soccer practice Thursday. She captured the following great photos of the players and Coach Steve Strand. Enjoy!

Coach Steve Strand strikes a pose.

Coach Steve Strand (left) works on the dribble technique with soccer player Shannon Salas (right).

Soccer player Greg Routery practices his kicks.