Fostering Philanthropy

My daughter taking some time to make a donation to Special Olympics East Hawaii.  Pictured with manager Isaaca.

From now until May 31, 2014, you can hop on down to IHOP in the Prince Kuhio Plaza to make a donation to our Special Olympics East Hawaii program.  Every little bit helps and all the monies raised at this Hilo location will benefit our EAST Hawaii athletes. 

Mahalo Isaaca and the staff of IHOP PKP for your commitment to bettering our community and for supporting our program. 

IHOP PKP has set a location goal of $1250.  Please spread the word and help them reach their goal.  Oh, and stop by for breakfast, lunch or dinner.  I personally want to try the Cinnamon Swirl Brioche French Toast...See you there!

Vikings Unite!

The Vikings of Hilo High are proud to be a Project UNIFY School

On Thursday, April 17, 2014, Hilo High School celebrated Acceptance Day by hosting a mini-competition of fun childhood games that fostered and encouraged inclusion, unity and teamwork between the Viking Special Education students and members of various school clubs and teams.

Competition rounds included participation in hula hoop, kendama, balance beam, jump rope and over under.  School groups that were involved in the event included: Student Association Reps, Blue & Gold Club, Culinary Class, Japanese Class, Leo Club, Girls Basketball, Key Club and Hula Class.

Mahalo to everyone for your support of our Project UNIFY program.  A big MAHALO goes out to Ms. JoAnn Nishimoto and Ms. Lorraine Fukuda and the rest of the Special Education staff members for their tireless efforts to ensure that their program thrives.

 

Jeremy B and the Japanese Club

 

Jeremy G. leads his team in the hula hoop challenge

Cullen, Darien & Jeremy try their hand at the kendama challenge

Joy & the Hula Class pass the ball over and under

 

Project UNIFY special partners take their turn in the balance beam challenge

Neal heads back to his team to finish off the challenge

 

We are the CHAMPIONS...!

Sandy focuses on her form as she crosses the finish line in the 400m walk

 

On Saturday, April 12, 2014, over 100 athletes and unified partners participated in the Special Olympics Area Track and Field Competition at Kea'au High School track.  The games were kicked off with a Law Enforcement Torch Run led by Mayor Kenoi.  Isaiah D. had the honors of lighting our torch, Jeremy G. served as our MC for the event and Whitney A. recited the athletes oath. 

We had 78 heats of competition in all track events, shot put, softball throw, standing long jump and running long jump.  All athletes were awarded with ribbons and all wore smiles and gave high fives and handshakes throughout the day.

It was truly a blessed day with good fun, lots of friends, tons of volunteers and the best supporters in the state.  To all my athletes, thank you for working hard being awesome examples of sportsmanship, strength of character and true CHAMPIONS!

The best part of the event is being rewarded for your hard work.

 

Red Waves tracksters stop for a photo op following their event

Champions Every Day volunteers enjoying the beautiful day

Kalani pushes to the finish line in the 400m run

Honoka'a trickster finishes the 400m run

Jeffrey gets the high five after placing first in the 400m walk

Nolan takes one last look as he passes the finish line

Unified Partner Lee manages to smile as he heads toward the finish line in the 4x100 unified relay

Explosions 4x100 relay team makes the baton hand off and heads to the finish

Louie looks to the finish in the 4x100 relay

Jeremy G. keeps his form and technique as he and his unified relay team cruises to the finish

Jeremy B makes every effort to get to his partner and make the baton hand off

Honoka'a thrower practices his form before making throwing the shot put

Big Island Softball Competition

West Hawaii Area Director, Denise welcomes everyone to the Area Softball Games

On Sunday, April 6, 2014, the Big Island Special Olympics athletes met in Kailua-Kona to face off in the Area Softball competitions.  Participants were:

Unified Teams: Explosions Box Shootas, Explosions Big Island Roots, Red Waves Expos and West Hawaii

Coach Pitch Teams: Explosions Bulldogs, Red Waves Angels, Honokaʻa Hawks

Tee Ball Team: Kona Cobras

Special Exhibition Team: Konawaena Wildcats Softball Girls

Everyone did an awesome job and had so much fun!  Congratulations to all our Big Island athletes and good luck at State Summer Games.

Unified Division:
1st place: Explosions Box Shootas
2nd place; West Hawaii
3rd place: Explosions Big Island Roots
4th place: Red Waves Expos (1st year unified)

Coach Pitch Division:
1st place: Honokaʻa Hawks
2nd place: Red Waves Angels
3rd place: Explosions Bulldogs (1st year coach pitch)

Mahalo to all the coaches, volunteers, families and especially, athletes for your commitment and support.

Red Waves athletes excited for the games to begin

West Hawaii athletes giving the Athleteʻs oath

Explosions Bulldogs, first basewoman Joy, shows excellent hitting form.

Honokaʻa Hawks player rounding 3rd and heading home for the score

Red Waves Expos, 2nd baseman John, calls for the ball to make the out

Red Waves Expos, 3rd baseman Nathan takes a swing

Exhibition Tee Ball game between Konawaena Softball team and Kona Cobras.  The Cobras were thrilled with their win.

Kona Cobras tee ball player gets the handshake for an awesome hit and getting on base

Red Waves Angels, Robbie gets on base and gets the high five

Honokaʻa Hawks, Isaiah calls it out and makes the catch

Explosions Box Shootas, Mosiah gets on base in the champion game in the Unified Division

The best part of the event, is being awarded.  Good job and congratulations to all athletes!

Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run

The "Troy Barboza" Law Enforcement Torch Run is a coordinated project of the Hawai'i Police Department and Special Olympics Hawai'i for the purpose of raising awareness and funds for the athletes of Special Olympics. A global event, all 50 states and over 47 countries, participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run, generating over $34,000,000 annually. In Hawai'i, 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 Hawai'i held in 1986. This year marks the 27th anniversary of the Law Enforcement Torch Run in Hawai'i.

We humbly ask for your support of this year's Torch Run through your generous donations and participation in the Torch Run or Walk. Donations of $30 are requested and, in return, donors and participants will receive the 2014 commemorative "Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run" long sleeve t-shirt or dri-fit short sleeve t-shirt.  Sizes and style are limited.

Interested participants should contact Lisa Pana, Area Director at soeasthi@gmail.com for a Shirt Order/Waiver Form.

Team Hawaii going to USA Games in New Jersey

Support Team Hawaii Track and Field!  Help our Area athletes, Kalani Gonsalves and Daylan Toribio and Head Coach David Baldwin, get to New Jersey to participate in the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games.  Log on to http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/DavidBaldwin/usa-games to make your donation today!  Fundraising Goal is $1000 each.  Go Team Hawaii!

HILO HIGH LADY VIKINGS PROJECT UNIFY RECOGNITION NIGHT

Hilo High School Lady Vikings Basketball Team hosted a Special Olympics Project Unify Recognition Night at the Afook Chinen Civic Auditorium on Saturday, January 4, 2014 during their regular season home game against konawaena.  Project Unify athletes in attendance were Joy Ushijima, Neil Plunkett, Cullen Kurohara, Darian Ducosin-Wong & Jeremy Guyer.  Mahalo to Coach Ben Pana, his staff and most especially to all the Lady Vikings for making this a memorable evening for our Project Unify athletes.  We are so proud of all our Viking athletes!

For more information about Special Olympics Hawaii, visit www.specialolympicshawaii.org

Follow us on Facebook and like our Special Olympics East Hawaii Page at www.facebook.com/soeasthi