Big Island Sports Hall of Fame to Induct New Class

Sports Hall of Fame to add 7 photos to Wall on August 22

After a two year hiatus the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame will be inducting its 12th class of sports legends to be recognized at a formal photo unveiling at the Prince Kuhio Plaza followed by a luncheon at the Nani Maui Gardens on August 22.

   The seven new inductees will join 114 Big Island sports heroes who currently have their photos displayed in the Prince Kuhio Plaza.

   Chairman of the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame nominating committee, Derek Shigematsu, released the names of those selected as:

Manny Veincent

   Manny Veincent – Outrigger Canoe Paddling – Devoted over 45 years coaching a variety of sports on the Big Island and has been the Kawaihae Canoe club head coach for the past 38 years.  Veincent is credited with founding the Club in 1972 and worked with both the youth and adult racing programs.  Since 1972 Veincent’s Canoe Club won 11 Big Island Regatta Championships, including four in a row from 1972-’76.  Prior to Kawaihae he founded and coached the Kuhio Canoe Club in Hilo from 1962 to 1968.

Ruth Walker

   Ruth E. K. Walker – Aikido – Was selected as the Big Island Sports Person of the Year in 2009 for her more than 35 years of sports community service.  Walker, 79, has been a volunteer aikido instructor and instructed hundreds of youngsters over the years while working with Hilo Seishikan Aikido.  She was the first Big Island woman to earn a black belt in aikido and holds the rank of 6^th dan. Besides Aikido Walker has also been involved with the Girl Scouts, Japanese Community Association, Kamana Senior Center and the Lions Club.

   Morris “Mo” Mathews – Swimming – Spent more than 70 years involved in swimming. Teacher at Honokaa High School from 1957, Mathews was on the steering committee that helped with the design and construction of the Honokaa Pool in 1959.  Mathews has a long history of achievements and last year set a national record in the USMS 6,000 meter swim, breaking the previous record by almost 15 minutes in the men’s 75-80 age group division.  At age 83 Mathews works out five to six times per week averaging 1,200 yards per day.

   Richard Nakano – Karate – Has been a student and instructor of the modified Shorin Ryu style of Karate for the past 47 years.  Nakano believes in serving as an example of good moral character to his students.  Since the inception of his Waimea Dojo in 1968 Nakano Sensei has kept one session free of charge.  Nakano taught hundreds of students in California and in Waimea, with some of his students becoming sensei on their own.

Furtado in 1947

Harold “Russian” Furtado (deceased) Track & Field – died in July 2008 at age 77.  Was the Hawaii Territorial Champion in the Mile Run from 1946 to 1952.  In 1946 while running for Hilo High School as a sophomore he became the first person in Hawaii to break the 5 minute mile.  Furtado was an active member of the PioPio Bears Basketball Organization and in 1984 played on the Shipman men’s Open league Championship Team. He coached a variety of youth sports teams and was always considered a tough competitor and passionate coach.

   Francis “Bo” Saiki – Baseball – A former athlete and active coach and supporter of athletics for more than 20 years Saiki has spent most of his life involved with baseball and softball.  He has coached the girl’s softball team at Waiakea High, coaches the Keaukaha Warriors baseball team of the Hawaii AJA Baseball League and recently undertook the coaching responsibilities of the Palomino (ages 17-18) baseball team.  Sakai has spent more than 24 years in coaching both baseball and softball.

Hamilton Manley

   Hamilton Manley (deceased) Basketball – Spent most of his life coaching basketball at a variety of levels and was instrumental in helping the University of Hawaii basketball program over the past 25 years.  Began his coaching career as an assistant basketball coach at Pahoa High School in 1979 Manley would help at a variety of basketball clinics over the past three decades.  He was seen as a “players coach” who built strong relationships on and off the court, Manley died in a snorkeling accident a year ago at age 64.

“It was a very difficult decision because there were many qualified applicants to our 12^th inductee class,” Nominating Chair Derek Shigematsu said.

   The seven people selected were more than qualified in many areas of sports activity and community service, according to Shigamatsu.

   “We looked hard at their service to the community and the impact that they made in youth sports,” he said.  “The seven people that were selected had a good balance of giving back to their sports through their expertise and knowledge. It wasn’t just what they did as individuals in their sport, but also what they gave to our community that was important in our selection process.”

   The BISHF will hold a photo unveiling at the Prince Kuhio Plaza on Sunday, August 22, at 10:30 a.m., followed by a luncheon at the Nani Mau Gardens at noon.  Luncheon tickets will go on sale to the general public on July 28 with limited seating. Cost is $20 for adults and $15 for children 10 and under.  For more information on obtaining luncheon tickets contact Ellsworth Fontes at 935-5519 or stop by his shop at 969 Kinoole Street.

   The late Jack Matsui was the founder of the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame.

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