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.

Special Olympics West Hawaii is participating in the Holiday Classic, held annually in December at both Hickam Air Force Base and the Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base. This event includes a multi-division three-day Basketball tournament and Individual Skills Competition, Singles, Doubles and Unified® Team Bowling competitions, and traditional and Unified® Doubles Bocce tournaments. The Holiday Classic marks the end of the Fall season.

Participating athletes, unified partners, coaches and chaperones must proudly wear their SOWH yellow T-shirts, bring a brown bag breakfast and be at the Kona International Airport no later than 8 a.m. Friday, Dec. 5. They will be departing on Mokuele Airlines Flight #891 at 9:36 a.m. and arriving in Honolulu at 10:16 a.m. However, unified partner Ronona Della-Cioppa and athlete Apple Isidro are on Hawaiian Airlines Flight #217, leaving at 7:03 a.m.

Please remember that due to heightened security, all liquids must be under 3.4 ounces and placed in a separate Ziplock bag for screening. Double check the placement of liquids, which will save big hassles at the airport.

Besides breakfast on Dec. 5, all other meals and housing are included. Athletes may bring spending money if they desire. Those traveling with medicine must fill our a medication release form.

SOWH will be staying at Pearl Harbor and Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base. Towels and soap will not be provided. Maps are available of Hickam Air Force Base, Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base, and Naval Station Pearl Harbor on the Special Olympics Hawaii Web site.

Packing list includes: a good attitude, three pairs of shorts, three shirts, four pairs of socks, athletic shoes, four pairs of underwear, sleep clothes, swim trunks or bathing suit, dance clothes, toiletries, shower towel, feminine hygiene products (if necessary), jacket, hat, sunscreen, water bottle and medication.

“It will be a great weekend of fun and competition,” said Dave Ross, SOWH area director.

The Holiday Classic schedule is as follows:

Friday, Dec. 5
12 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Team Basketball (All Divisions) - Hickam Air Force Base Main Gym, Pearl Harbor Sub-Base Gym & Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Semper Fit Center.
12 p.m. - 3 p.m.: Unified Bowling - Kaneohe Bay Lanes, Doubles Bowling -Hickam Lanes and Pearl Harbor Lanes
7:30 p.m.: Opening Ceremonies - Hanger # 35 - Hickam Air Force Base

Saturday, Dec. 6
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.: Competition, Team Basketball - (All Divisions) - Hickam Air Force Base Main Gym, Pearl Harbor Sub-Base Gym & Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Gym
8:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.: Competition, Bocce - Football Field behind Hickam Bowling Center
8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.: Competition, Singles Bowling - Hickam Lanes & K-Bay Lanes
8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.: Competition, Bocce Doubles, Football Field behind Hickam Bowling Center
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.: Olympic Town - Beside Hickam Bowling Center & K-Bay Bowling Center
7 - 10 p.m.: Victory Dance - Kaneohe Bay Enlisted Club

Sunday, Dec. 7
8:30 a.m. - 9 a.m.: Competition, Individual Skills Basketball - Pearl Harbor Sub-Base Gym
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Competition, Team Basketball - (All Divisions) - Hickam Air Force Base Main Gym, Pearl Harbor Sub-Base Gym & Kaneohe Marine Corps Base Gym
8 a.m. - 12 p.m.: Competition, Bocce Unified Doubles- Football Field Behind Hickam Bowling Center
8:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.: Competition, Unified® Bowling - Hickam Lanes and Kaneohe Bay Lanes
12:30 p.m. - 1 p.m.: Closing Ceremonies - Hickam Main Gym & K-Bay Base Gym

For more information about the Holiday Classic, contact Lona Warner, SOWH head of delegation, at 808-327-0491, 808-989-2080 or biglona@hotmail.com.

Special Olympics West Hawaii meets at 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 1, at the Kona International Market Place. Among the topics to be covered are the Holiday Classic on Oahu, Spring sports, volunteer opportunities and the 2009 kick off barbecue. There will be time for questions and answers with SOWH Area Director Dave Ross.

SOWH produces a year-round program of sports training and competitions for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Participants in these leagues learn teamwork and skills pertaining to the games. Everyone is welcomed, including athletes, unified partners, volunteers and coaches.

For more information about the upcoming meeting, contact KC Strand, SOWH volunteer coordinator, via e-mail at zionvideos@yahoo.com.

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.

Cop on Top was highly successful, thanks to the police officers, Special Olympics West Hawaii athletes, volunteers, sponsors and the public. The fundraiser raised reportedly more than $12,000. Hooray!

Here is a mahalo note from SOWH Area Director Dave Ross:

Nothin’ but love to everyone. I am so stoked at how Cop on Top went. It was an amazing success and everyone who had a hand in this should feel great. We raised great cash, met new volunteers and athletes, had great community presence and had a truckload of fun. Hooray to Walter, Sam, Sean, Rollin (gimpy shoulder and all) and all the other officers who made this event a success.

Mahalo to: KC for staffing this thing; the Dungates for kicking butt Saturday on dawn patrol; the Cleintaurs for kicking us off full force Tuesday morning; the Knights of Columbus and the Extor clan for working the pau hana parties; Lona for pulling mass double shifts; Doreen for jazzing up the joint with awesome graphics; Barbara Bach for the endless smiles and energy; Shane’s “bow technique” with a proud Madelyn by his side; Ray for coming straight from work with Mary; Kelly for dancing up a storm; the West Hawaii Today squad for the great press; and Ronona for jamming straight from the water to the buckets.

I couldn’t ask to work with a better group of people. We are all different, but unify so well for our common cause — to make the lives of our athletes and their families better through sports and community involvement.

Mahalo for all that participated. I love you all and cherish your efforts. Be well. Let’s have a great fall.

Here’s another thank you note and photos from longtime SOWH volunteer Nikki Cleintuar:

Dave is so right about the unity, common cause and, most of all, the athletes. It’s a labor of love for all of us. That said, without Dave’s leadership, his unbridled optimism, his determination, his inability to say “can’t” and his willingness to do whatever it takes, it never would have happened. So a round of applause goes to our intrepid area director. YAY!!!

Another round of applause goes to our helpers outside the organization. This includes Sgt. Walter AhMow; Sgt. Rollin Rabara; Sgt. Sean Smith; Lt. Sam Kawamoto; the community policing officers and those who did Keiki ID; John Perillo, manager of Safeway, and the Safeway employees; Birdie Fawzi & Coca Cola Bottling of Hawaii; HPM; Denny’s Restaurant; Carolyn Lucas; Kat and KWXX Radio; West Hawaii Today; Chris with the public announcement system; Dave Huerta; Knights of Columbus; and all the participating businesses and individuals that donated.

Hulali is one of the many Safeway employees and management personnel who worked extra duty with grace and enthusiam to support Cop On Top.

SOWH Area Director Dave Ross is tired, but happy after a successful fundraiser.

SOWH volunteer Doreen Parker created a photo display of our athletes competing at the recent Aukake Classic, a soccer and boccee tournament on Oahu, for Cop On Top. Donors were able to get a visual idea of how the funds raised are spent.

Volunteer Eric Cleintuar (SOWH athlete Adrian Cleintuar’s dad) and Ronona Della Cioppa (SOWH coach Lona Warner’s daughter) secure the beautiful balloon arch created by Safeway employee Hulali in the store’s floral department.

From the left: Volunteer Eric Cleintuar and SOWH athletes Jason Nagatori and Ray Donager helped pack up after Cop on Top ended Saturday.