Last Sunday’s polo match at ‘Anini was filled with emotion. It started with Dragonhouse Studios beating another new sponsor, Silver Falls Ranch, in a fast-paced game 7-3. There were undercurrents to the joy of watching a game which was clearly
Last Sunday’s polo match at ‘Anini was filled with emotion. It started with Dragonhouse Studios beating another new sponsor, Silver Falls Ranch, in a fast-paced game 7-3.
There were undercurrents to the joy of watching a game which was clearly fun for players and spectators alike. The game and trophies were dedicated to the memory of John Elwin who was murdered in the Philippines on May 14, 2006. Elwin was a respected and beloved member of the Kaua‘i Polo club. “America’s Most Wanted” was here to cover the game and its post-game ceremonies.
On this last game of the season, there were uncertainties about the club’s future. Club president Ron Bonaguidi recently retired after years of providing leadership and financial support. Vice president Mike Sheehan and social members are working on plans to try to fill the void left by Bonaguidi’s departure.
The game started with a bang. After a flurry of play near the goal mouth, umpire Stuart Mackenzie called a penalty 3 against Silver Falls. Kamalu Sheldon took the shot from 40 yards out to score for Dragonhouse. At game’s end he was the high-scoring player with a total of 3 goals. Doug Blumenthal and Ronnie Tongg each also scored a goal for Dragonhouse in the first chukker.
They ended the game with 2 goals each, tied with Silver Falls’ Nick Galindo.
Galindo scored his first goal early in the second chukker, soon answered by Blumenthal, ending the chukker 4-1 for Dragonhouse. In the third, Blumenthal added another goal early.
Galindo also scored, keeping Silver Falls in the game. Tongg put up a goal for Dragonhouse so they went into the final chukker leading 6-2.
Early in the fourth, Tongg scored again. Both teams fought hard with riding off and hooking. Scott Sims was finally able to score for Silver Falls but the game ended 7-3.
Following the match, two of Elwin’s long-time friends took over the memorial ceremony. Carlos Elzaurdia had known Elwin as a great polo buddy. As a contractor, Luis Soltren got to know Elwin as owner of Kapaa Paint.
They discovered a mutual interest in martial arts and became fast friends.
Soltren gave a brief summary of how and why he became suspicious when Elwin failed to return from a business trip to the Philippines with another polo player we knew as Hank Jacinto.
Soltren’s dogged determination to find what happened to Elwin is what led to Jacinto’s (just one of his many aliases) arrest and conviction.
However, Luis made it clear that many helped along the way. Soltren publicly thanked Mayor Bryan Baptiste for working behind the scenes and setting up appointments with the state attorney general and with the Philippine ambassador, both of whom gave momentum to the investigation.
Soltren also thanked state Rep. Jimmy Tokioka, who was present, for his introduction of legislation to help prevent future identity theft/property theft crimes such as Jacinto, a.k.a. Henry Calucag, committed.
Soltren passed out John Elwin Memorial Cup bowls to each of the players in Sunday’s game as well as to others who helped move the Elwin case along. Social club member Bill Marston announced the renaming of the facility as “The John Elwin Memorial Facility”.
Following the presentations, Soltren introduced Kelepi Luketi and the Tongan Choir. They kept spectators spellbound as they sang in honor of Elwin.
They were followed on stage by Tommy and Malani Tokioka with guitar and song.
The balmy evening was capped off with tailgate dining, ending the polo season.
