WAIPOULI — About 100 local supporters were in attendance Friday afternoon for a meet-and-greet and fundraiser hosted by Hawaii Pacific University baseball head coach Dallas Correa and his coaching staff at the Courtyard by Marriott Kauai at Coconut Beach.
“The support was amazing,” Correa said. “Even people that weren’t able to come today or buy tickets, they donated. They were able to give back to the program.”
Correa, a native of Hanapepe, was previously an assistant coach at HPU and was promoted to head coach in August.
He said it was his first public appearance as HPU’s head baseball coach and that it was important for him that his first event was on his home island.
“I wanted to make sure it happened here because this is where everything started,” Correa said. “For me, it’s big to have all the people that affected me growing up that (led to me getting) this position — that I would have a way to give back and thank them. … I’m thankful that everybody came. This was how it started.”
He added: “For me, I’m just so happy to just be back. I don’t get to be able to come back often. To be able to do this and be home, it’s something special. I’ve been gone for college for four years. I’ve been on Oahu for the past 10 years. To be back, it’s, ‘Oh, thank you. This is where I belong.’”
Among those who attended was Kapaa High School varsity baseball head coach Bryan Aiwohi.
“I think he’s great. He’s a local product from Kauai,” Aiwohi said. “He grew up playing ball here. He played high school ball at Saint Louis, but he knows his roots. I just think it’s great because he knows there’s talent here on Kauai. He’s going to give them a look whereas some other coaches wouldn’t have. That’s all I ask — come look at our talent.”
Also in attendance was former University of Hawaii football player Dan Ahuna.
“This is a time for our people to step up from Kauai. I’m so proud of Dallas Correa stepping up as the new head coach of HPU,” Ahuna said. “I believe in the people of Kauai, and I’m here to support Dallas.”
Ahuna, a resident of Kapaa, is a long-time friend of the Correa family.
“He comes from a great family. The Correa family is a family that really cares about each other. They’re a tight ohana,” Ahuna said. “Dallas is a person who has those types of values. … I think those values that his parents brought down to him — hard work and perseverance — that’s going to pay off in the end for him.”
Part of the fundraising was a silent auction for items such as baseball gear, gift baskets and gift cards.
Aiwohi said he did bid on some items, but he’s staying away from one particular item — a Boston Red Sox World Series championship hat.
“I’m not bidding on that Red Sox hat though. Sorry,” Aiwohi said with a laugh.
Aside from raising money for the HPU baseball team, Correa shared his plans for the program.
Among those things include hiring a staff he trusts, recruiting talent that fits well with the program, skills development and building a family culture.
“That’s what we’ve built so far in just three months,” the Sharks coach said. “It’s a fun thing to do and a fun thing to see develop into what it’s going to be. I can’t promise wins, but I can promise that we’re going to be a close-knit group that believes in one mission and one vision.”
The coach plans to do similar meet-and-greets on Maui and Oahu.
Correa’s first season as HPU’s coach will begin in February.
“I’ve already put myself in a game-type situation. That will come naturally,” Correa said of anticipating the start of his first season. “But when that time comes, I’m already prepared and ready to go.”
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Nick Celario, sports writer, can be reached at 245-0437 or ncelario@thegardenisland.com.
What happened Ross Kagawa? He played UH baseball. 1987. I never heard of this guy.