Special Olympics West Hawaii

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 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.

Special Olympics West Hawaii is hosting a softball tournament from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, March 28, at the Old Kona Airport fields, located behind the Kona Community Aquatics Center.

Six Big Island softball and T-ball teams will compete for spots at the State Special Olympic Summer Games held in late May on Oahu.

Volunteers are needed to help support the participating athletes. Special Olympics West Hawaii, a year-round program of sports training and competitions for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

To get involved or for more information, e-mail volunteer coordinator Dulcie Sorenson at specialolympicswh@gmail.com or head of delegation Lona Warner at 989-2080. Also visit www.sowh.org.

Special Olympics West Hawaii participated in 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.

Mahalo to the athletes, coaches, volunteers, families, friends and supporters. You are valued highly and important to the success of the Special Olympics program.

Long-time volunteer Nikki Cleintuar made a video of all the moments captured at this year’s Summer Games, which can be viewed online by clicking here or visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9EhXVsXx70.

Also, please enjoy the following photos taken during the Summer Games by KC Strand, SOWH volunteer coordinator, and volunteer Doreen Parker. To see the entire album created by KC, click here.

Special Olympics West Hawaii is participating in the Summer Games, held May 29 through May 31, at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Roughly 1,100 athletes and coaches statewide will compete 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. Over 2,500 volunteers help at this Olympic-style contest.

The Summer Games schedule is as follows:

Friday, May 29
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.: softball for all divisions
9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: softball individual skills
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: lunch
4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.: dinner
7 p.m.: opening ceremonies

Saturday, May 30
6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.: breakfast
11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: lunch
4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.: dinner
9 a.m. to noon: track for ages 8-21, field for ages 22 and older, and level III track & field
12:30 p.m. to 2:45 p.m.: track for ages 22 and up
12:30 p.m. to 3:15 p.m.: field for ages 8-21
2:45 p.m. to 4 p.m.: relays for all ages
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Healthy Athlete, Olympic Town and powerlifting
11 a.m. to 5 p.m.: swimming
7 p.m. to 9 p.m.: victory dance

Sunday, May 31
6:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.: breakfast
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: lunch
8 a.m. to noon: Healthy Athlete
8:30 a.m. to noon: Olympic Town
8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: powerlifting
7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m.: swimming
8:15 a.m. to 1 p.m.: track and field
1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.: closing ceremonies

To learn more about the Summer Games, visit the Special Olympics Hawaii Web site at www.specialolympicshawaii.org.

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

Although the athletes demonstrated good sportsmanship, they also showed that competitive spirit. Each participant went out there on the field and gave everything he or she had. They put in their whole heart and soul.

Through this competition, teams qualified 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.

Mahalo to the coaches, volunteers, families, friends and supporters. You are valued highly and important to the success of the Special Olympics program.

Please enjoy the following photos taken during the tournament. To see the entire album created by KC Strand, SOWH volunteer coordinator, click here.

Have something to say about this softball/tee ball tournament? Want to share a story, photo, inspirational thought, sports secret or accomplishment? Talk story with Carolyn Lucas, SOWH blog editor. E-mail her at specialolympics.westhawaii@gmail.com.

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.

Note: SOWH athletes can participate in two sports. Practices begin Feb. 4. Anyone interested in competing or volunteering should sign-up by sending SOWH volunteer coordinator KC Strand an e-mail at zionvideos@yahoo.com. You may also contact Lona Warner, head of delegation, at 808-989-2080, 808-327-0491 or biglona@hotmail.com.

SOFTBALL & T-BALL
3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesdays & Fridays at Old Kona Airport Park’s baseball field, located at the end of Kuakini Highway in Kailua-Kona.

SWIMMING
5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesdays & Fridays at the Kona Community Aquatic Center, located at 75-5500 Kuakini Hwy. in Kailua-Kona.

POWERLIFTING
5:15 p.m. to 6:15 p.m. Wednesdays at The Club at Kona, located at 75-5699 Kopiko St. in Kailua-Kona.
11 a.m. to noon Saturdays at The Club at Kona, located at 75-5699 Kopiko St. in Kailua-Kona.

TRACK & FIELD
3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Mondays & Thursdays at Kealakehe High School’s track, located at 74-5000 Puohulihuli St. in Kailua-Kona.

To participate:
* Volunteers must fill out the required forms, available online at www.specialolympicshawaii.org/volunteers.htm.
* Athletes must fill out the required forms, available online at www.specialolympicshawaii.org/a&f-registration.htm.

By Carolyn Lucas | SOWH Online Communications Director

PLAY BALL! For some people, baseball or softball is the most important thing in their life. These diehards share a sense of loyalty to the game. They wear their game attendance and participation like a badge of honor.

To others, this is just another sport they play for fun. They created memories, shared victory and loss, as well as learn values and sportsmanship. Above all they enjoy the friendships made while playing the time-tested all American game of integrity.

Special Olympics West Hawaii had a fantastic 2008 softball season. West Hawaii Today photographer Baron Sekiya attended one of the practices in April. He captured some wonderful moments of the athletes and coaches. Baron graciously gave the nonprofit organization permission to use his images on this blog. This way the participants, as well as their friends and family, can enjoy them. SOWH appreciates his generousity and kindness.

The following photographs and captions are from Baron, who can be reached at 808-329-9311 or by e-mail at bsekiya@westhawaiitoday.com.

Casey Haydon at bat while Special Olympics softball coach Peter Dungate gets out of the way during softball practice at Higashihara Park.

Amy R. Aguiar takes batting practice at Higashihara Park as Special Olympics softball coach Peter Dungate watches.

Special Olympics softball coach Peter Dungate, left, leads batting practice with Duke Kaawa at bat and Jason Nagatori and Murray Willams catching.

Patrick Dungate gets a hit off softball coach Peter Dungate’s pitch as Damien Extor, back, plays 2nd base during Special Olympics softball practice.

Special Olympics softball coach Peter Dungate, left, tells Henry Langidrik, right, where to hit the ball during softball practice as Amy R. Aguiar gets ready to bat next at Higashihara Park.

Special Olympics softball coach Peter Dungate instructs Shane Follosco during softball practice at Higashihara Park.