Traditionally in Hawaii, sports teams and organizations have sold everything from buckets of chili to car washes to raise money for uniforms, equipment, and travel expenses. I remember when my Father first started coaching at McKinley High School, the athletes would work in teams to cover the school grounds, picking up trash at the carnival and fairs. These days, fundraisers have gotten creative, but the basic needs still remain the same.
One of my good friends, Derek Higa has committed much of his free time to coaching the kids in the Makakilo, Ewa, and Kapolei neighborhoods. A father of three, he not only dedicates his time to his son’s team, but to all of the other teams.
I witnessed the admiration his players had for him during his Yakudoshi in 2008 as they greeted him with a paper banner and like a revved up football player, Coach Derek tore through it with gusto! The players then lined up to greet and hug their Coach, one at a time.
On Sunday, September 20, 2009 Coach Derek’s Pee Wee level football team is having a fundraiser at Rumours Nightclub in the Ala Moana Hotel. They’re raising money to travel to Molokai for a football game. The event will feature entertainment, pupus, door prizes, and let’s face it — a night out with friends and family for a good cause!
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Rumours Nightclub in the Ala Moana Hotel
5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Pre-event tickets: $10
At the door: $15
If you can’t make it, here’s how you can help:
Share this post and invite your entire network.
Twitter the twtvite to all of your followers and ask them to Re-Tweet.
If you’re on Facebook, send a message to Kristin Benoza Higa to pre-order your tickets and/or make a donation or email me at neenz@faleafine.com. Mahalo to everyone for their support of the team and youth sports in Hawaii.
A few months ago, Papa and Tutu’s neighbor emailed the registration information for the Aiea AYSO league. Lilinoe knows very little about soccer and I even less, but Jayden and Maiyah seemed to be interested so we completed the necessary paperwork and paid the registration fees.
Although they’re only a year apart, Jayden was drafted in the Under 6 and Maiyah belongs to the Under 8 group– besides, the groups are then further separated by gender since there are a lot of children participating. After a very organized parent orientation meeting; a volunteer process to determine coaches, referees, and team parents; and a mutually agreed upon practice days, times, and field we were on our way!
Four (4) practices prior to the first game, and we were having fun. Jayden had to learn a few soccer rules like no touching the ball with your hands while it’s in play, but also the non-rules like no dancing like Michael Jackson while running drills during practice. And, Maiyah? Well she was so excited for her first practice that she wore her soccer clothes, shin guards, and cleats to bed the night before.
The first game was this past Saturday and I walked away with more than a nice tan, I realized that “two babies” were competitive, aggressive little athletes. The blazing sun was their biggest opponent because their mantra once the game was in play was “attack the ball”!
Every Saturday we’ll be at the park, cheering on the Jedis and the Butterflies — life is good!
Developing fundamental skills is key to improving your basketball skills. And, if improving your fundamental skills as a player is important to you then don’t hesitate to register for the following camps and clinics.
Performance Basketball Clinics was founded by Byron Mello. I first met Byron in the late eighties when he coached my brother’s Intermediate basketball team at Punahou. Don’t let his dapper looks confuse you, he’s a fierce competitor who challenges athletes to take their game to the next level.
Our experience with PBC has been extremely positive. Not only did Coach Mello and his staff reinforce fundamentals, they provided individual adjustments to improving the athletes’ skills. And, PBC also satisfied the geek in me, with instructional DVDs of the clinics for each of the participants.
Coach Mello is currently the Program Director and Boys Varsity Basketball Head Coach at Maryknoll High School. He was previously with Damien High School and in 2003 earned ILH Coach of the Year honors. The 6-week clinic will be held every Saturday beginning June 6, 2009.
The Punahou Summer Basketball Camp has been scheduled for June 9, 10, & 11 for boys’ and girls’ currently in the 3rd through 12th grades. Power forward Channing Frye and point guard Steve Blake, both of the NBA’s Portland Trailblazers are on deck to provide instruction and insight.
The camp will be led by four-time girls high school state championship coach, Mike Taylor. I recently reunited with Mike while volunteering as a coach with the KAC league. Coach Mike also shares his basketball developing knowledge along side Dennis Agena at the Kalakaua Basketball Clinics.
In addition to developing the athletes’ skills, coaches will also be afforded an opportunity to expand their knowledge in a 3-day, 2.5 hour clinic of their own.
“We wanted to host something like this where coaches from around the state can learn from one another to help basketball here in Hawaii continue to flourish and get better,” shared Coach Mike.
Part of the proceeds from the Punahou Basketball Camp will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club of Honolulu and Kay Yaw Cancer WBCA Cancer Fund.
If you’re an athlete or coach, these are two events that you don’t want to miss!
Years ago I received advice from a friend who said, “Keep paddling your canoe forward.” At the time I was a 20-year-old with big dreams and bigger habits. Today, life is different, the dreams are still big and some have even become reality. The habits have either been broken or replaced with healthier, more positive practices. The waters in my life are much calmer and it’s become easier to navigate. I choose to paddle out, rather than stay docked keeping my eyes on my foundation, but anticipating the next set.
And so, with respect to being a youth basketball coach — this set has passed. Basketball is nearly synonymous with the Faleafine family, well sports in general and there are generations of players and coaches from Hawaii, Samoa, California and Las Vegas. So, I felt a sense of obligation, especially to Chelsea who was just developing as a player, but like me, and quite literally she’s paddling her canoe towards a different set too.
The KAC Basketball League is hosting open registration for the Spring Girls’ season this Sunday, February 8, 2009 a the Kilauea Community Park from 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. with mandatory ratings on Sunday, February 22, 2009. But, after two successful seasons I must say, “Aloha ‘oe to KAC Basketball League.”
Lilinoe and I encourage both Chelsea and Jayden to participate in school activities, become a part of a club or team, and contribute to their communities. At only 4, Jayden’s options are limited. He participates by cheering for Chelsea and her teammates or by just listening the first time is really all we ask!
From cheerleading to basketball, hula, student council and now canoe paddling — Chelsea is truly an active participant in life. Academically, she’s earned a 3.6 grade point average putting her on the honor roll list. And, physically she believes she’s found her true passion — canoe paddling!
I’ve really enjoyed learning the process of the sport, and the coaches are faced with a difficult task of getting the entire team to move in unison — a group of 7th graders for that matter. But, Coaches Reggie Keaunui, Byron Martinez, and Dennis and Wehi Na’auao are committed to teaching the children. Their commitment paid off this season as their other team, ‘Anuenue Girls Varsity team recently won the OIA Championship for the second year in a row.
There are three more regattas till the end of the Novice A season and Chelsea has shown promise by securing either the first or second positions and paddling in the girls and co-ed divisions. She’s earned an invitation to continue with ‘Ilau Hoe for the summer season. We’re very proud of her and will be shouting from the lagoon shore for her team to “stroke ‘em!”
If there’s a gene for basketball, then I have it. My gene has not mutated to the athletic abilities of Michael Jordan or that of a fanatical walking Almanac, but for me it’s a simple appreciation for the fast paced, unpredictable, physical sport. To steal a past slogan from the NBA, “It’s fantasic!”
This month is the Mufi Hannemann Adidas IN THE PAINT skills camp at the Manoa Valley District Park Gymnasium. One of the benefits of this camp is that it offers instruction and strategies for coaches. Always a work in progress, I registered as soon as I heard. The players are separated into two divisions with the high school students attending on Friday evenings and the middle school students Saturday morning.
In addition to Mayor Hannemann, instructors include legendary coaches Merv Lopes and Tony Sellito, Brigham Young University of Hawai’i Basketball Coaches Wendy Anae and Brandyn Akana, with support from local high school coaches from some of the top programs in the State.
I can think of several reasons to not volunteer as a youth basketball coach. Time or the lack thereof ranks high on the list, as does politics and personality conflicts. But, no matter how long that list is there is one thing that makes it all worth while. As I did in my first season, I promised all of the families one thing – at the end of the season their daughter would be able to give a sincere hug. And the hugs are what make it all worth while.
We finished the season with our only loss, but in first place. The league does not have a traditional play off towards a champion and there are no trophies unless the individual teams provide their own. So, the claim of the champion is based on the actual win loss record and for Uila, we ended with 7 wins and 1 loss. But, receiving a sincere hug from each of the girls before and after each practice and game provides me with a sense of accomplishment.
The plan right now is to return next Spring, however I make no promises because I never know where my path of life will lead me. I cherished every moment of the season.
When I was 14-years-old I had enough skills to make my high school Varsity basketball team, not because my Dad was my coach but I had earned it. Now, nepotism would have had me monopolizing minutes per game, however my skill set was not as good as many of my more seasoned and talented teammates. I understood my role, and accepted it. I was to practice as hard as anyone else, learn the game, develop my skills and encourage my teammates from the bench prepared to enter the game at a moments notice if the score warranted.
Like it takes a village to raise a child, so it takes an entire team to accomplish its goal whether it’s a business project, community building or a sports game. Unfortunately, one of the challenges is getting team members to understand their role without conflicting with pride or other excuses, but that may be something for the rant category.
We’ve played every team in our division, and are still undefeated with six wins. As my journey on this path continues, I learn something with each step.
Basketball is as much a part of my culture and heritage as is hula, and not because I can trace my genealogy to the Naismiths, but simply because it’s a family passion. I must admit, the flames of the fire were almost extinguished, but through a new generation – new life has provided enough oxygen to turn embers into flames.
At the end of five games, we’re undefeated, but the number in the win column are for the athletes – for me, it’s the lessons learned through the duration of the game.
During the fourth game we found ourselves in an unfamiliar situation at the half – we were down by seven point which in a youth league is a huge lead. The league allows 3-minutes during this break, and I like to always take the girls outside of the gym and give them some words of encouragement, relevant to the game or situation.
I took a deep breath, assigned positions for the third quarter and said, “I believe in each of you. I need you to search inside of yourself, and find something that will help you to give just a little bit more. Dig down deep inside.”
I must admit, the faces of my team, the fire in their eyes were priceless as we huddled once more for a resounding, “Uila!” The girls’ gave up 18 points in the first half, but only five in the second. They left their little hearts on the court at the end of the game, exhausted in victory.
The same as during halftime, we met after the game outside of the gym in our corner and this time I said, “I am proud of all of you. And, you should be proud of yourselves. I want you to remember that feeling you felt when you dug down deep inside of you when you want something later in life.”
This past Sunday placed us once again in an unfamiliar situation, we were leading, but we weren’t playing the type of game we normally do. We appeared sluggish, preoccupied by something other than the game which was allowing their opponent to “believe.” Now, instead of “digging deep” I said, “We must go in there and take their hope away.”
Once again the look on their faces were priceless, almost as if, “Where is it, so I can go get it?” They used the tool of faith “When we work together, no one can stop us” and the tool learned from the previous week of “digging deep,” and realized that the two tools combined took their opponents hope away. This game, they gave up 11 points in the first half, and an astounding zero in the entire second half.
I haven’t been keeping up much with my experience this year in the KAC league, except for the occasional post on Twitter that I’m either on my way to practice or a game. It’s not that I don’t have anything to say, there’s so much going on in my mind that I could write a series of novels! But, it’s more of time and finding it – if anyone has seen it – please comment and let me know where it is.
Let me rewind to the beginning of the season. I was notified of the players on my team in the Kahala McDonald’s late on a Monday evening and by dinner time Tuesday I had visited every athlete on the roster at their home, personally welcoming them to our team with a personalized gift, (Lilinoe, my rock solid for life and team parent had made these very cute and appropriate luggage name tags with the girls’ name over a basketball court background), and a welcome letter which could also be dubbed as a “season syllabus.”
“Today is a great moment in both of our lives, as some great force has allowed for the paths of our lives to cross! Our philosophy is that basketball is only but a vessel to convey lessons of life: determination, perseverance, team work, loyalty, discipline, commitment, respect…and if we happen to win a few games along the way, then even better! In order to accomplish these goals, we will need your commitment to be present physically, mentally and emotionally for all practices and games, as we will do the same. Every person has a purpose on this team, and your role is not limited to your time on the court. Rather, it is more important as to how you conduct yourself in school, at home, on the bench, with your family, amongst your friends and in the community.”
With the guidance and expertise of my Dad, we conducted two weeks of Basketball Camp over Spring Break. The morning workouts were beneficial, but the afternoon camaraderie were essential. After each practice, both Kumu and I aimed to create a comfortable safety zone for the girls. We knew that as children, once they felt safe, once they felt welcomed and loved; they would be more receptive to the basketball skills we would be teaching them.
“When we work together, no one can stop us!”
Fast forward to this afternoon – our team of athletes are excelling far beyond their individual capabilities. We were assigned the team name, Sparks after the WNBA Los Angeles Sparks; but we’re a team of culture – we are UILA. And, after three games UILA is undefeated.
I am grateful for the players that have come into my life, and proud of their accomplishments.
James Naismith is credited with inventing the game of basketball and was even inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame as a contributor to the sport. But, with all due respect to Dr. Naismith, I’d like to believe that somewhere in the world a group of kids were already playing the rougher draft version of one of my favorite sports.
For the second consecutive year I have made a commitment to volunteer as a coach for the Spring season of the KAC basketball league aptly titled, “Where girls just wanna have FUN!” While my first experience was almost perfect, and not only due to going nearly undefeated for the season, but the players and families were some of the most genuine people that I have met – basketball bounces through my veins.
Tomorrow begins the assessments, and while I am willing to help out with anything the league needs I do my best not to get involved with any type of rating system of the participants or determining their placement on a team. Of course as a strategic coach I would love to “draft” my players of choice, but these are children and at this level we aim to teach them more about team work, sportsmanship, and commitment than we do about dominating the court.
I am anxious to get back on the court, but most importantly I have butterflies anticipating who the gods have chosen to be a part of my journey this season.
Believe it or not some could describe me as routinely boring. I can eat the same meal for weeks in a row before becoming tired of its taste and prefer to wear a pair of jeans with a crispy clean white t-shirt and a comfortable pair of all white sneakers every day. But, I also embrace every day that I’m granted and know when to play my spontaneous card, especially when it puts a smile on Lilinoe’s face and an experience worth keeping filed in the front of the memory banks.
This year was my turn to plan Valentine’s Day and I could have went with the predictable options of overpriced roses and a box of chocolate, but I wanted an experience, something that involved more than a conversation and a gaze. I considered a day at the spa, but we had already made our reservations at the Tocasierra Spa & Salon so it had to be something different, and something Lilinoe wouldn’t had expected.
Point, click and a surf of the internet landed me on the contact information for Hawaiian Parasailing. I called and immediately booked a reservation for two. I kept our activities a secret until we got back into the car after dropping Jayden and Maiyah off at school. Here’s how the conversation went:
NEENZ: “Would you like me to tell you what we’re doing now or wait until we get there?”
LILINOE: “Now, please.”
NEENZ: “We’re going parasailing!”
silence
NEENZ: “Talk to me, are you OK?”
LILINOE: “Are you sure? You’re afraid of heights.”
NEENZ: “I only have today, let’s make memories.”
I’ll be honest, I was nervous and very concerned and not just because my lower back tingles with fear when I walk on the third level of Ala Moana Shopping Center, but I wondered if Lilinoe’s bionic leg would sustain the landing? We arrived at Kewalo Basin and immediately located the Hawaiian Parasailing office. We were greeted by a petite customer service representative who confirmed our reservation. Before I could ask my list of questions, she said, “So, it’s tandem.”
My mind screamed, “What?! Are you sure? Can the ropes hold the us both – at the same time?” Add yet another concern to my already long list.
But, my concerns were eased by the reassurance of the staff members and information that was provided prior to launching. The literature said that the minimum ascent would be 300 feet and internet reviews talked about purchasing upgrades to fly higher. I didn’t purchase an upgrade so I knew we’d be flying at 300 feet or lower. Also, we had the option of a wet or dry landing, we chose wet because as they put it, “It’s just not the same.” Lilinoe and I were joined by the Cho’s from Kaneohe who too opted for an adventurous Valentine’s Day versus traditional, a family from Seattle and one from Japan. There were two crew members and we were speeding out to the waters off of Kewalo Basin.
We followed the instructions exactly as they were given. Keep the leg straps above the knee, bend your knees sitting into the strap just below the buttocks, and don’t grab the black straps. The Cho’s cheered as we began our ascent and my smile was so wide my cheeks were aching.
At the highest peak we felt as though we were flying. Being that high is absolutely peaceful, Lilinoe and I held a conversation without having to raise our voices to hear one another. The view of Diamond Head was breathtaking, we were looking at Oahu – our home – from a different perspective.
Do you fly in your dreams? For me, I soar with joy flying high in my dreama, swooping and weaving in and out of trees. I finally felt it in real life just a taste of what it was like to fly. I was grateful.
We descended just enough to be dipped into the cold ocean water and flew into the sky just once more before a smooth landing on our feet on the boat.
Hawaiian Parasailing allowed us to fly, and this exhilarating experience is filed in the front of our memory banks.
Developing fundamental skills is key to improving your basketball skills. And, if improving your fundamental skills as a player is important to you then don’t hesitate to register for the following camps and clinics.
improving the athletes’ skills. And, PBC also satisfied the geek in me, with instructional DVDs of the clinics for each of the participants.
the Faleafine family, well sports in general and there are generations of players and coaches from Hawaii, Samoa, California and Las Vegas. So, I felt a sense of obligation, especially to Chelsea who was just developing as a player, but like me, and quite literally she’s 
If there’s a gene for basketball, then I have it. My gene has not mutated to the athletic abilities of Michael Jordan or that of a fanatical walking Almanac, but for me it’s a simple appreciation for the fast paced, unpredictable, physical sport. To steal a past slogan from the NBA, “It’s fantasic!”
I can think of several reasons to not volunteer as a youth basketball coach. Time or the lack thereof ranks high on the list, as does politics and personality conflicts. But, no matter how long that list is there is one thing that makes it all worth while. As I did in my first season, I promised all of the families one thing – at the end of the season their daughter would be able to give a sincere hug. And the hugs are what make it all worth while.
When I was 14-years-old I had enough skills to make my high school Varsity basketball team, not because my Dad was my coach but I had earned it. Now, nepotism would have had me monopolizing minutes per game, however my skill set was not as good as many of my more seasoned and talented teammates. I understood my role, and accepted it. I was to practice as hard as anyone else, learn the game, develop my skills and encourage my teammates from the bench prepared to enter the game at a moments notice if the score warranted.
Basketball is as much a part of my culture and heritage as is 
Believe it or not some could describe me as routinely boring. I can eat the same meal for weeks in a row before becoming tired of its taste and prefer to wear a pair of jeans with a crispy clean white t-shirt and a comfortable pair of all white sneakers every day. But, I also embrace every day that I’m granted and know when to play my spontaneous card, especially when it puts a smile on Lilinoe’s face and an experience worth keeping filed in the front of the memory banks.
We followed the instructions exactly as they were given. Keep the leg straps above the knee, bend your knees sitting into the strap just below the buttocks, and don’t grab the black straps. The Cho’s cheered as we began our ascent and my smile was so wide my cheeks were aching.
