Kaua‘i High School senior student athlete Va‘afuti Tavana will join 11 other student athletes from around the state when he is inducted into the Nissan Hawai‘i High School Hall of Honor. That ceremony is scheduled to take place on Sunday,
Kaua‘i High School senior student athlete Va‘afuti Tavana will join 11 other student athletes from around the state when he is inducted into the Nissan Hawai‘i High School Hall of Honor.
That ceremony is scheduled to take place on Sunday, June 5 at the Sheraton Waikiki starting from 5:30 p.m.
For his honor, Tavana will receive a $2,000 college scholarship along with the honor and prizes that accompany the induction into the program that was started in 1982 by Nissan Motor Corp. of Hawai‘i, Ltd.
Tavana, who lettered in both KIF volleyball and basketball, was inducted into the Hall based on his achievements in these two sporting arenas as well as for his individual character in school as well as in the community.
“It couldn’t have happened to a finer student athlete,” said Charlene Quinones, the athletic director for Kaua‘i High School, Monday morning.
“We’ve had strong student athletes at Kaua‘i High School (who have been Hall of Honorees) in the past – the Carvalhos, the Shigemotos, but Futi is the complete package,” she added.
“His family needs to be credited for how he turned out,” Quinones said. “His mom and dad are very supportive, not only of him, but for all of their children. The success of their children is their success.”
Quinones added that this is one of the rare times when a two-time all-state student athlete has risen to such an honor, noting, “This certainly helps to put Kaua‘i on the map.”
Quinones pointed out that some of the other Kaua‘i nominations for this honor included two-time state Girls High Jump champion Jennifer Lindsey from Kapa‘a High School. Also nominated for the Hall of Honor from Waimea was Max Hadwin. Kaua‘i High School nominees included Kekoa Crowell and Lance Okasaki.
A new facet for the induction awards dinner is the honoring of four prominent former Hawai‘i high school athletes and coaches. The honorees for this year’s banquet include Larry Ginoza, Eddie Hamada, Charlie Wedemeyer, and Wally Yonamine.
Former Waialua High School football coach Norm Chow will be the keynote speaker. Chow, who moved on to be the offensive coordinator for the University of Southern California’s back-to-back national championship is now the new offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans.
2001 Miss America Angela Baraquio-Grey, a former three-sport athlete from Moanalua High School is scheduled to be the evening’s emcee.
This year’s Hall of Honor class was selected by a 13-member panel of high school administrators, media, and community members, and with the selection of a dozen of Hawai‘i’s finest student athletes, brings the total number of inductees to 276 representing 48 high schools across the state.
The Nissan Hawai‘i High School Hall of Honor was formed in 1982, with its first inductees being honored in 1983, to “recognize excellence in athletics” as well as involvement in school and community.
This year’s inductees include: Shanna-Lei Dacanay, Punahou (basketball, softball); Spencer Hafoka, Kahuku (football, track and field); Jessica Hanato, Konawaena (softball, basketball); Trenson Himalaya, Baldwin (football, basketball, track and field); Courtney Kessell, Kailua (softball); Michael Kopra, Hawai‘i Prep (football, soccer); Tamari Miyashiro, Kalani (volleyball, basketball); Kyle Pape, Iolani (volleyball, basketball); C.J. Tausaga, ‘Aiea (football, baseball); Futi Tavana, Kaua‘i (volleyball, basketball); and Fran Weems, Kealakehe (cross country, soccer, track and field).
2005 Nissan Hawai‘i High School Hall of Honor
Shanna-Lei Dacanay, Punahou (basketball, softball)
Spencer Hafoka, Kahuku (football, track and field)
Jessica Hanato, Konawaena (softball, basketball)
Trenson Himalaya, Baldwin (football, basketball, track and field)
Courtney Kessell, Kailua (softball)
Michael Kopra, Hawai‘i Prep (football, soccer)
Tamari Miyashiro, Kalani (volleyball, basketball)
Kyle Pape, Iolani (volleyball, basketball)
C.J. Tausaga, ‘Aiea (football, baseball)
Futi Tavana, Kaua‘i (volleyball, basketball)
Fran Weems, Kealakehe (cross country, soccer, track and field)
