Sunday was a time to connect with the past and look to the future at Vidinha Stadium. Working against “technical difficulties,” Kaua‘i Mayor Bryan Baptiste was pressed into service to render the national anthem at the opening ceremonies for the
Sunday was a time to connect with the past and look to the future at Vidinha Stadium.
Working against “technical difficulties,” Kaua‘i Mayor Bryan Baptiste was pressed into service to render the national anthem at the opening ceremonies for the Kaua‘i Asians of Japanese Ancestry Association baseball season.
“I wondered what I could say about this occasion as I drove here,” Baptiste said as he watched the final pitches cross the plate for the season’s first AJA baseball game.
After sitting in the bleachers, chatting with spectators and making his way onto the field, Baptiste said, “I want to congratulate you on your season. This is a way to celebrate cultural heritage and ethnic identity.”
Baptiste said in a changing world, it is important not to lose one’s ethnic identity and the community baseball program is a way to continue to celebrate cultural heritage and tradition.
Tom Shigemoto, president of the Kaua‘i AJA Association, added that in 2006, all the AJA associations in the state called a summit — something that has never been done in the long history of the program.
That summit was to discuss what the AJA program was all about, Shigemoto said.
“It is not just a baseball league,” Shigemoto said. “AJA is deeper than that. It is a way to perpetuate the culture and lifestyles that were set by our forefathers and players that have passed on.”
AJA baseball was born when Japanese laborers arrived in Hawai‘i and the workers, living in plantation camps, began gathering to play baseball among the different camps.
Among those in the audience were families of players who make up the five teams that form the Kaua‘i AJA league.
These include teams from Lihu‘e, Hanapepe, Kalaheo, Makaweli, and the newest addition, Waimea.
“This is a way we pay respect for those players and officials who are no longer with us,” Shigemoto said. “We continue to do what we do to honor and carry on their legacy.”
Players range in age from high school through adults.
Jessica Iwata was one of those in the audience. Iwata plays for the Kaua‘i High School girls softball team and made history a few years ago when she became the first female to play in the AJA league.
“We have to come to support her brother,” her mom, Jolly Iwata, said as Jessica adjourned to join softball sister Chelsee Doi in working with Wes Yonamine in the batting cages.
Throughout the baseball complex, several generations of families could be seen enjoying, in the brisk Sunday air, an aspect that has remained unchanged over the decades — that is the post-game get-together with lots of food and drink.
Baptiste told the gathering of families and players that hopefully, by this time next year, lights will be installed so some of the games can be enjoyed at night.
“Enjoy playing baseball while continuing to preserve the cultural legacy,” Shigemoto said.
In addition to Shigemoto, AJA officers include first vice president Mamo Kaneshiro, second vice president Brian Yamase, treasurer Russell Maeda, league secretary Gerald Ako and league manager Earl Miyao.
Double-header games for AJA baseball are played every Sunday starting at 10 a.m.
For January, all games will be at Vidinha Stadium.
Following the completion of the KIF soccer season, games will also be played at Hanapepe Stadium.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.
com.
