“I like competition,” one Special Olympian was overheard to say as he prepared for the Running Long Jump event at the annual event held at Vidinha Stadium on Saturday morning. Through the efforts of the Special Olympics Management Team of
“I like competition,” one Special Olympian was overheard to say as he prepared for the Running Long Jump event at the annual event held at Vidinha Stadium on Saturday morning.
Through the efforts of the Special Olympics Management Team of Jocelyn Freitas, Jennifer Arashiro, Shelly Gerardo, Jerry Jona, Sheralyn Hernandez, Marla Torres-Lam, Leon Gonsalves, Larry Yasuda, Channing Tada, and Colin Sunada, Kaua‘i’s Special Olympians got their day to compete at the Annual Kaua‘i Area Special Olympics that was preceded by the Troy Barboza Torch Run.
Starting from the First Hawaiian Bank in Lihu‘e, the Run encompassed individuals, groups, and teams supporting the Special Olympics in memory of fallen law enforcement officer Troy Barboza.
These groups were headed by Kaua‘i Police Department’s Assistant Chief Clay Arinaga who carried the torch accompanied by fellow officers Kaleo Perez and Darla Abbatiello and escorted by crews from Lihu‘e Fire Station 3 and American Medical Responses’ Zach Octavio.
Following were the Lifetime Stand program members, team members from the Kaua‘i High School and Kapa‘a High School football programs who were met at the stadium by members of the Waimea High School football program as well as the Friendship Force from the Hyatt Regency at Po‘ipu.
The Kaua‘i Special Olympics program allows for year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-style sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving the athletes continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympians, and the community.
