Special Olympics West Hawaii

When Special Olympics teams travel to competitions, area colors are worn. This helps keep track of members of various groups in busy airports and around the various venues. Such places are usually filled with hundreds of athletes, coaches and chaperones from throughout the state.

Area colors are also proudly worn during the impressive “Parade of Athletes” as the delegations march into Opening Ceremonies, a long, time-honored tradition.

Over the past 12 years, Special Olympics West Hawaii has always donned the color yellow. East Hawaii wears red, Central Oahu wears blue, Molokai wears green and so on.

The designs on the SOWH shirts have changed through the year. Thanks to the creativity of SOWH Area Director Dave Ross and Krystal Welch, the organization’s shirt for 2008 has a new design and slogan. On the back of the shirt, there is a big “shaka” surrounded by a lei. Above are the words “Westside Pride” in bold capitals. SOWH athlete Adrian Cleintuar graciously modeled the new shirt in this post’s photo.

“I believe that if we look good as a team, we will act well as a team. We are not just a basketball team and several bowling teams. When we travel we represent West Hawaii as a whole,” Ross said. “We are proud of our community and how supportive they are of us. ‘Westside pride’ just came off the top of my head and it’s what we are and believe in.”

SOWH has been in flux for a couple of years because athletes moved away, veteran management team members decide to leave their positions and a string of changes in area directors. SOWH is still in the process of building its numbers of athletes, coaches and volunteers, as well as gaining experience and solidifying. It’s a slow process, but a good one, said Nikki Cleintuar, long-time volunteer.

“David’s is a gifted leader and the program continues to attract volunteers who bring a wealth of skills, fresh ideas and a desire to commit for the long run,” she said. “I just think the shirt represents the spirit, enthusiasm, aloha and positive attitude of this wonderful group to a ‘T’ (Oof! was that an intentional pun?). WESTSIDE PRIDE! Is that a cool slogan, or what?”

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Have a safe, healthy and memorable holiday.

Volunteers Steve Strand, KC Strand, Krystal Welch and Carolyn Enriquez took the following fantastic images of Special Olympics West Hawaii athletes and their unfied partners, competing at recent Big Island bowling tournaments. Volunteer Nikki Cleintuar wrote the captions.

Mahalo for capturing and sharing the moments below.
May this great service bring others joy.

SOWH bowlers were in high spirits as they traveled to Hilo to compete against East Hawaii teams in the Singles Tournament Oct. 18. It was the first of two important area competitions held the same weekend as both contests were qualifiers for Annual Holiday Classic State Games to be held on Dec. 5 – 7 on Oahu.

On Sunday, Oct. 19, Carol Barfoot chose her ball while Amy Aguiar and Corey Enriquez warmed up for the start of the Area Unified Tournament held at Kona Bowl.

SOWH Head Soccer Coach, Andy Barfoot, has traded his cleats in the off season for a pair of bowling shoes to serve as a unified bowling partner along with his wife, Carol. Andy and Carol helped propel the Kona Ninja Honu team to a first place win in Division 3 at the Unified Tournament.

SOWH athlete Greg Routery keeps an eye on his roll as competition begins.

SOWH West Hawaii Area Director Dave Ross and SOWH Bowling Coach and Head of Delegation Lona Warner fire up the teams with a rousing pep talk at the opening ceremonies preceding the unified competition.

Division 4 winners were the Kona Alii Team with a score of 1426. The Kona Alii team is flanked by lane volunteers Jeannie Kutsunai (left) and Aura Coffman. Bowlers (left to right) are Josiah Kaipo, Ronona Della-Cioppa, Josh Yong and Michael Tom Makanui.

The Kona Strikers were first place winners in Division 1, with a combined three game total score of 1772. The Strikers (team on the left) are: SOWH unified partner Eric Cleintuar, athlete Adrian Cleintuar, athlete Ray Donager and unified partner Kelly Yonemura. Standing center is lane volunteer Charley Somsanguansit. Taking second place in the division with a 1771 score were Team Wong, consisting of Isaiah Wong, Eva Wong, Quentin Wong and Jacob Wong.

The Kona Sharks grabbed hold of first place in Division 2 with a total score of 1437. From left to right is unified partner Tony Enriquez and Cory Enriquez. Sharks not pictured include Preston Buckley and unified partner Stephanie Kaneshiro. Taking second place in the division were the Kona Sunset with a score of 1422. The team consisted of SOWH athlete Shannon Salas (next to lane volunteer Megan Delaries), athlete Amy Aguiar and unified partner Barbara Bach. Kona Sunset teammate and unified partner Chipper Chappel was not pictured.

Division 3 bowlers lined up to receive their awards. On the left are members of the Ninja Honu team who captured first place with a score of 910. The Ninja Honu team consisted of unified partners Carol and Andy Barfoot, as well as athletes Shane Follosco and Duke Kaawa. On the right is the Pinbuster, the winning second place team in the division that scored 889. The Pinbusters are athlete Mary Conner, unified partner Doreen Parker, athlete Norman Matsubara and unified partner KC Strand. Kneeling in front of the group is lane volunteer Jonathan Kutsunai.

Participating in the Area Unified Tournament held at Kona Bowl were (back row, left to right) coaching assistant Steve Strand, coaching assistant Les Lund and athlete Alvin Carvelho; (middle row) head coach Lona Warner, athlete Greg Routery, athlete Lindsey Miedema, athlete Apple Isidro, athlete Henry Langidrik and athlete Murray Williams; and (kneeling in front) Marinna Takahashi-Ruiz and Lois Phillip. Not pictured were Kimmie Grisham and Debbie Collector.

The wonderful Kealakehe High School girls and boys bowling teams, the Sailor Scout 4-H Club and the Tsunami 4-H Club regularly volunteer for Special Olympics West Hawaii. The organization is honored and extremely grateful for their commitment to service. SOWH volunteers, athletes and coaches welcome these volunteers’ smiles, friendship and the great enthusiasm they bring to events. Pictured here are SOWH Area Director Dave Ross (standing, left) and the volunteers who helped out at the Area Unified Tournament held at Kona Bowl. Volunteers included (from left to right) Carolyn Enriquez, Aura Coffman, Jeannie Kutsunai, Amanda Abe, Jonathan Kutsunai, Charley Somsanguansit and Megan Delaries; and (kneeling in front) are Nikki Cleintuar and Mary Donager.

Each of the eight bowlers who racked up the highest single game scores of the day receive Ironman 30th anniversary posters. Pictured are (back row, left to right) Isaiah Wong who scored 171, Eva Wong who scored 163, Eric Cleintuar who scored 187, Barbara Bach who scored 222 and Jacob Wong who scored 224; (kneeling, front) Tony Enriquez who scored 153, Josh Yong who scored 168, and Kelly Yonemura who scored 226.

Pictured from left to right are Lona Warner, Lindsey Miedema and KC Strand. Several SOWH athletes, volunteers and coach reported it was a very special weekend of friends, competition and fun. A special mahalo goes to Kona Bowl for hosting an event, Sharon Yong for Halloween treats and all those who worked hard on the planning, organization and details that made the tournament successful.

• The motto of the Ironman is “Anything is Possible.”
• The more than 1,700 athletes compete in a 2.4-mile swim, a 112-mile bike and a 26.2-mile run. They only have 17 hours to finish the race.
• During the course of the race, more than 235,000 cups, 46,600 bike bottles, 20,000 gallons of fluid replacement, soda, water and soup, 66 cases of bananas and 261 bottles of sunscreen are used by the participants.
• More than 5,000 volunteers line the 140.6-mile course.
• In 2007, the competitors were from 49 countries and 45 states.
• The average Ironman athlete spends 18 to 30-plus hours training each week for the annual Ironman World Championship.

In the Sept. 18 edition of the Honolulu Advertiser, there was an Editorial about the state Department of Education needing to stand firm in its decision to reinstate the funding for Special Olympics Hawaii and the newspaper is asking the public to vote on the issue.

Nip Ho, vice president of Area Services for Special Olympics Hawaii, is urging everyone to visit www.honoluluadvertiser.com/opinion and vote YES to the following question: Should the Board of Education restore funding for Special Olympics.

“In the Editorial it talks about a grant that SOI has for Youth Programs, Special Olympics Hawaii has already received this grant which is helping to pay for our Sports Day and Unified Programs. The money that they speak of has already been placed into our budget for this fiscal year and cannot be reallocated to cover the shortfall from the DOE,” Ho said. “There is no way that Special Olympics Hawaii will be able to find new ways of raising money in the year 2008 and we will struggle to develop a method to raise an additional $130,000 for 2009.”

With the support of the many family and friends of Special Olympics, Ho hopes to change the course of the BOE and that our “public outcry” will make a difference. He thanked everyone for their continued support and dedication to the athletes of this program.

For more information about this issue and Special Olympics Hawaii, contact Ho at program@specialolympicshawaii.org or 943-8808 ext. 23.

Lawrence Clark Powell once said, “Write to be understood, speak to be heard.” Anyone who would like to personally urge the BOE to reinstate the funding or express their concerns about its actions can send a letter to P.O. Box 2360, Honolulu, HI 96804. The BOE can also be reached via e-mail at BOE_Hawaii@notes.k12.hi.us, by fax at 586-3433 or by phone at 586-3349.

Brad Ballesteros, West Hawaii Today freelance photographer, took the following fabulous photos, featuring Special Olympics volunteers, athletes, police officers and donors at the annual Cop on Top fundraiser Thursday, Sept. 18, 2008. Brad gave his permission, allowing SOWH to use his images and captions on this blog. He hopes you truly enjoy his work.

Mike Oshiro, a Captain Cook resident, writes out a check to the Special Olympics at the Cop on Top event at Kona Safeway as Barbara Bach looks on. The event will continue till Saturday.

Sgt. Rollin Rabarra, Lt. Sam Kawamoto and Sgt Walter Ah Mow, all of the Kona Police Department, atop their perch fronting the Kona Safeway. They are working to collect donations for the Special Olympics West Hawaii.

Deborah Montrond, a Kailua-Kona resident, opens up her wallet to help the Special Olympics West Hawaii as athlete Kelly Yonemura helped out with the collection.

Sgts. Walter Ah Mow and Rollin Rabarra, of the Kona Police Department, are in high spirits as they start their three-day Cop on Top stint atop a platform in front of the Kona Safeway.

Nancy Pursley collects donations for the Special Olympics West Hawaii from people on the street fronting the Kona Safeway.

From left to right are Sgt Rollin Rabarra, Sgt Sean Smith, Lt. Sam Kawamoto and Sgt Walter Ah Mow, who sat atop of their Cop on Top perch fronting the Kona Safeway for three days and raised money for Special Olympics West Hawaii.

Lt. Sam Kawamoto, of the Kona Police Department, pulls up a bucket of donations after Nancy Pursley collected the money from the community shopping at the Kona Safeway or nearby.

Lt. Sam Kawamoto, of Kona Police Department, smiles as he pulls up a bucket that is full of donations collected for the Special Olympics West Hawaii.

GOT MORE PHOTOS OF COP ON TOP? If you would like to share your photos of the three-day fundraiser on the Special Olympics West Hawaii blog, send Carolyn Lucas, online communications director, an e-mail to specialolympics.westhawaii@gmail.com.

Special Olympics West Hawaii is hosting a meeting about the upcoming Cop on Top program.

Volunteer KC Strand will discuss how people can participate by volunteering to serve various shifts. She will also answer questions about the annual three-day fundraiser.

The meeting promptly begins at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, at the Kona International Marketplace. For more information or to sign-up, contact Strand at zionvideos@yahoo.com.

“Please join us. We still need lots of volunteers, but it’s looking like we are going to a blast during this event,” Strand said. “I also want to thank all those who have e-mailed or called to sign up.”

Participants — SOWH athletes, coaches, volunteers, family members and friends — will ask for donations, express gratitude, man the information table and pass out balloons.

“If you can only do one Special Olympics fundraiser a year, please, please, please make this the one,” said Area Director Dave Ross. “Better yet, grab a friend or co-worker to help out.”

Cop on Top benefits Special Olympics West Hawaii. Starting at 6 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, local police officers sit atop of a scaffold in front of Safeway, located at 75-1027 Henry St. in Kailua-Kona. They will increase awareness of Special Olympics, as well as collect donations from customers and the public. Until 10 p.m. Sept. 20, the police officers will eat, sleep, play and encourage contributions on the scaffold.

Customers that purchase select Meadow Gold or Viva products at any Safeway store through Sept. 20 also help raise money Special Olympics Hawaii.

“This is a very important fundraiser for SOWH because it has regularly generated 50 percent of this organization’s yearly operating budget,” Ross said.