by Eric Bunyan

Waimanalo had our 2nd annual Fun Walk on march 23, the morning of the Waimanalo Bash. More than 50 people greeted the sunrise with warm-up exercises led by Lerna Dela Pena and a 2.7 mile walk. Special thanks are in order for Helene Mattos and Louanna Kaio who coordinated the event and for Clyde Yamamoto from Waimanalo School who donated ice cakes and supervised the Bobby Sox girls staffing the aid station. Dr. Akina from the Waimanalo Health Center again donated his time to man the First Aid Station. The Waimanalo Senior Citizens club donated prizes and refreshments and Al Lewis helped greet the runners and kept track of all the finishers and door prize winners. We look forward to making this an annual event and hope more of the community will come out next March for this invigorating walk through the cool morning air of the Waimanalo Farm Lots.

Summer Fun

Waimanalo will have Summer Fun programs again this year at Waimanalo Beach park and Waimanalo District park (Gym). There will be excursions to the Ice Palace, a Boat Cruise and a trip to the Honolulu Zoo, as well as beach excursions and swimming pool days. Day to day activities will be music and dance, sports and games, dramatics, Hawaiiana, singing and learning sign language songs and hula. Camp Kualoa will have a 3 night, 2 day experience for the older groups.

The important difference is that this year the City is charging a $25 registration fee. This, along with the fees of $2.25 for each of the three bus excursions, entry fees of $5.50 for the Ice Palace, $5 for the Zoo, a suggested $6 donation for the daily lunch program, and $39 for Camp Kualoa, bring the total up to $87.50. The $25 registration fee is due at registration and the rest can come in at least one week prior to the different events. The city is forced to charge because of budget problems, but we feel that our program is still a great value. Families on public assistance type programs may be able to get some type of waiver for at least part of the registration fee.

Our program begins June 19, and continues Monday to Friday except July 4, until August 6. Program hours are extended this year from 8 am to 2 pm, and someone will be at each area from 7 am each day. Lunch will be served at both summer fun sites beginning June 24 and continuing each day except for the three excursion days.

Registration begins Saturday May 18 from 9 to 11 am and continues on May 20 and 21 from 2 to 5:30 pm. On Saturday, registration for both parks will take place at the Waimanalo District Park. We will continue to accept registration for both parks most weekday afternoons from 2:30 until 5 pm at the Waimanalo District Park. It is important to register as early as possible because we hire our college student aides based upon our registration count.

Basketball

Our Parks and Recreation Basketball season just finished this month. Waimanalo's teams won every division in their Kailua/Waimanalo complex league and went on to the District Championships in the Boys 4th Grade and below and the Girls Intermediate divisions. Several outstanding players deserve recognition for their contributions. On the younger team, Nick Miyamoto was Mr. Hustle, an excellent unrelenting defensive player. Jacob Cook was most improved. Thomas Burns was the most valuable player. Kalina Kama was the best shooter. Keoni Mendiola was the most improved player for the second half of the season after his bout with appendicitis. Brandon Adviento, the youngest player on the team, shows the most potential. A highlight of the season was when he dribbled the full length of the court, changes hands, spun to the center of the key and passed the ball between the defender's legs to his team mate under the basket. Brandon is only in the First Grade.

Our Sixth Grade and below team had an undefeated season but lost to Hauula in the District Playoffs. Imakalani Mattos was Mr. Hustle for this team, and Curtis Pai was the most improved player. Chad Adviento was voted most valuable player.

The Waimanalo girls team rarely even let an opponent score. Blesedy Lopes, Chauntel Sylva, Regina Cummings, Brandy Leaver, Maile and Sandy Naleieha and Sharon Wahine kapu all should have excellent futures in high School Basketball if they stick to the game and do well in school.

Police Activities League's Officer John Kaulu and Gym Director Eric Bunyan will be conducting a High School Basketball league Tuesday and Thursday nights at the gym. Come out and see some really talented teens from the community. It's free entertainment.

Also coming up for those who are interested is the annual Walls Body Boarding Contest. This is open to children and teens from grade 5 to grade 12. Waimanalo and Kailua High School have been well represented every year in this contest sponsored by Hawaiian Islands Creations, Parks and Recreation, Boys and Girls Club of Hawaii, and BZ Body Boards. There will be a small entry fee and plenty of good prizes. Entry forms are available at Hawaiian Island Creations and at Waimanalo Gym.