Canoe Paddling Icon inducted into Sports Hall of Fame

John Kekua, Jr.

John Clifford Kekua, Jr. inducted into Sports Hall of Fame

John Kekua, Jr. passed away on September 1, 2010 at the age of 62.

Kekua was an icon and great role model in the Hawaiian Outrigger Canoe Paddling Community for more than 30 years. 

According to his daughter, Joy Kekua, canoe paddling has been passed down from generation to generation with the Kekua family.

Kekua was always athletic, being a member of the Hilo High football team he also threw shot put for the Vikings.

But Kekua made his mark in the world of canoe paddling as he worked to reorganize the Kamehameha Canoe Club in 1975.  Totally dedicated to canoe paddling Kekua worked tirelessly to preserve and perpetuate the sport until his passing.

Over the past 30 years Kekua has held numerous positions such as president of the Kamehameha Canoe Club, head coach of the same club, president of Moku O Hawaii Racing Association, president of Hawaiian Canoe Racing……….the list goes on and on.

For his numerous contributions to Hawai’i Island’s canoe paddling community and for his unselfish years of service the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame has inducted him, along with six others.

The BISHF will have a ceremony at the Wall of Fame at the Prince Kuhio Mall on August 21 at 10 am.

“We will introduce the seven and display their photos to the wall,” Chairman Derek Shigematsu said.  “We are hoping past inductees and the general public will come out to support the newly inducted honorees.”

Following the Wall dedication the ceremony will move to a luncheon at the Nani Mau Gardens at noon were a formal ceremony will take place.

For those interested in attending the luncheon the cost is $20 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under.  Seating is limited.

Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling Ellsworth Fontes at 935-5519.

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

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Sam Alameda to be Inducted into Sports Hall of Fame

Sam Alameda

Sam Alameda inducted into Sports Hall of Fame

Sam Alameda, now 74 years of age, is a retired part time plumber and caregiver for his wife, Charlotte, who is battling from Alzheimer’s disease.

Alameda, in his younger days, was well know in local boxing circles as he was pitted against Joe Ayala and Joe Gumpher.

Alameda went on to a great ammeter boxing career fighting local giants such as Aladino Gusman, Dickie Wong, Randy Kim Seu and Choken Maekawa.

During his high school days at Hilo Alameda was a basketball standout in 1955 and ’56 until he caught the boxing bug in the mid-‘60’s.

In 1969 Alameda helped form the Waiakea Boxing Club formed with six Biddy Boxers.  In three years the club grew to 26 members.

Alameda made numerous contributions to Hilo’s boxing community and for his unselfish years of service the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame has inducted him, along with six others.

The BISHF will have a ceremony at the Wall of Fame at the Prince Kuhio Mall on August 21 at 10 am.

“We will introduce the seven and display their photos to the wall,” Chairman Derek Shigematsu said.  “We are hoping past inductees and the general public will come out to support the newly inducted honorees.”

Following the Wall dedication the ceremony will move to a luncheon at the Nani Mau Gardens at noon were a formal ceremony will take place.

For those interested in attending the luncheon the cost is $20 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under.  Seating is limited.

Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling Ellsworth Fontes at 935-5519.

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

 

Big Island Sports Hall of Fame to induct 7

Wall of Fame at Kuhio Mall

 BIG ISLAND SPORTS HALL OF FAME SELECTS 7 FOR CLASS OF 2011

The Big Island Sports Hall of Fame announced the inductees for the 13^th class into the Wall of Fame.

Selected were:

Sam Alameda, Sr. – basketball and Manager of the Waiakea Boxing Club

Dennis Asuncion (deceased) – Boxing, Coach and Official

Olizario Galo Fernandez – Basketball, Baseball and Coach

Robert Fitzgerald – Football and Baseball

Charles Ikeda – Basketball, Coach and Recreational Leader for Youth Organizations

John Clifford Kekua, Jr. (deceased) Canoe Paddling and Coach

Stephen L. Perry – Athletic Director, Coach, State Athletic Golf Coordinator

The BIGHF selection committee chair, Derek Shigematsu, announced the selections on Tuesday.

“We had many fine nominees who had years of community involvement in their respective sports,” Shigematsu said.  “It was a difficult decision.”

The BISHF will have a ceremony at the Wall of Fame at the Prince Kuhio Mall on August 21 at 10 am.

“We will introduce the seven and display their photos to the wall,” Shigematsu said.  “We are hoping past inductees and the general public will come out to support the newly inducted honorees.”

Following the Wall dedication the ceremony will move to a luncheon at the Nani Mau Gardens at noon were a formal ceremony will take place.

For those interested in attending the luncheon the cost is $20 for adults and $15 for children 12 and under.  Seating is limited.

Tickets may be purchased in advance by calling Ellsworth Fontes at 935-5519.

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

Deadline for nominations to the Big Island Hall of Fame July 15

The Big Island Sports Hall of Fame’s selection committee is currently seeking nominations for its 13th class of honorees.
To be considered for induction, written nominations and a color 8-by-10 inch photo are required and should include first and last names, mailing address and phone number, and the person’s achievement or contributions to the community for over 20 years.
The selection committee must receive a written nomination for the person to be officially considered. There is no exception to this requirement.
The late Jack Matsui is the founder of the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame, a nonprofit organization.
The mission of the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring, preserving, and promoting knowledge of significant accomplishments in sports within the County of Hawaii.
Nominations for candidates to be inducted into the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame shall meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Have participated in a sport as an athlete, coach, official and supporter for a combination of at least 20 years.
• Have been a resident of the County of Hawaii for a minimum of five years of the time spent participating in the sport.
• Supporters and contributors shall have significantly impacted the sport being nominated for.
• Have exhibited strong character and discipline in the sport being nominated for. Conviction of any felony, crime of moral turpitude or official sanction by a governing body of the nominee’s sport during participation will automatically nullify his or her nomination and possible induction into the Hall of Fame.
Nominations for deceased athletes, coaches, officials and supporters may be submitted based on the individual’s past achievements and contributions.
Preference also shall be given to amateurs, volunteers, persons receiving token payments and semi-professional athletes, coach, officials and supporters that have not been previously inducted into other sports hall of fame organizations or honored in other traditional means of recognition for their individual contributions to the community, such as having had a sports facility named after the individual.
The deadline for nominees to be submitted is Friday, July 15. The selection committee will meet in on July 19 and review the list of potential inductees.
Members of the previous groups inducted can be seen at the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame display at the Prince Kuhio Plaza, inside the shopping center next to Macy’s Men’s Shop, across from IHOP restaurant.
Nominations should be sent to Derek Shigematsu, P.O. Box 1466, Honokaa, HI. 96727.  For additional information call Shigematsu at 315-1400.

Previous nominees who were not selected must resubmit to be considered.

Big Island Sports Hall of Fame accepting nominations

BISHF founder, Jack Matsui

The Big Island Sports Hall of Fame’s selection committee is currently seeking nominations for its 13th class of honorees.
To be considered for induction, written nominations and a color 8-by-10 inch photo are required and should include first and last names, mailing address and phone number, and the person’s achievement or contributions to the community for over 20 years.
The selection committee must receive a written nomination for the person to be officially considered. There is no exception to this requirement.
The late Jack Matsui is the founder of the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame, a nonprofit organization.
The mission of the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring, preserving, and promoting knowledge of significant accomplishments in sports within the County of Hawaii.
Nominations for candidates to be inducted into the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame shall meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Have participated in a sport as an athlete, coach, official and supporter for a combination of at least 20 years.
• Have been a resident of the County of Hawaii for a minimum of five years of the time spent participating in the sport.
• Supporters and contributors shall have significantly impacted the sport being nominated for.
• Have exhibited strong character and discipline in the sport being nominated for. Conviction of any felony, crime of moral turpitude or official sanction by a governing body of the nominee’s sport during participation will automatically nullify his or her nomination and possible induction into the Hall of Fame.
Nominations for deceased athletes, coaches, officials and supporters may be submitted based on the individual’s past achievements and contributions.
Preference also shall be given to amateurs, volunteers, persons receiving token payments and semi-professional athletes, coach, officials and supporters that have not been previously inducted into other sports hall of fame organizations or honored in other traditional means of recognition for their individual contributions to the community, such as having had a sports facility named after the individual.
The deadline for nominees to be submitted is Friday, July 15. The selection committee will meet in on July 19 and review the list of potential inductees.
Members of the previous groups inducted can be seen at the Big Island Sports Hall of Fame display at the Prince Kuhio Plaza, inside the shopping center next to Macy’s Men’s Shop, across from IHOP restaurant.
Nominations should be sent to Derek Shigematsu, P.O. Box 1466, Honokaa, HI. 96727.  For additional information call Shigematsu at 315-1400.

Previous nominees who were not selected must resubmit to be considered.