HANAPEPE — Waimea High School athletic trainer Nicole Farr looked on wistfully as the two Kapa‘a High School football managers struggled with the filled hydration machine, Friday night. “I want one of those,” Farr said. “But they cost about $500,
HANAPEPE — Waimea High School athletic trainer Nicole Farr looked on wistfully as the two Kapa‘a High School football managers struggled with the filled hydration machine, Friday night.
“I want one of those,” Farr said. “But they cost about $500, so I guess I’ll just put it on my Wish List.”
On the other side of the field, Ron Badua, one of the trades instructors at Waimea High School, looked at the numbers on the Kapa‘a High School team and then at the Waimea High School team.
“We’ve had declining student population for the last several years,” Badua said. “It’s hard when you have only 730 students.”
Despite these wistful comments, the gray clouds overhead broke for a moment as Waimea High School athletic director Jon Kobayashi accepted a $5,000 gift from Goose’s Edge, Inc. representatives during halftime of the Friday night game which was sponsored by Waimea Shell, one of the holdings of Goose’s Edge.
“This is the second year that Goose’s Edge has contributed to the Waimea High School athletic program, and we are very honored that Captain Al Gustavson has continued to support us,” Kobayashi said in a short presentation at the Waimea bench.
Tom Iannucci was in the stands to support his son who sported No. 75 on the Menehune football team.
“This is good for the community,” Iannucci said, alluding to the small student population at Waimea, and the strong community support for the Menehune. “Just as Jordon Dizon was able to buy cleats for the boys, this is a tremendous help for the kids. If Jordon hadn’t been able to get shoes for the boys, (do) you know how many kids and families would be struggling to get shoes?”
Waimea Shell is just one of three Shell stations that is under the Goose’s Edge umbrella, Gustavson said. In addition to the Waimea Shell which is located in the heart of Waimea town, Gustavson said they have the Kalaheo Shell located on the highway next to the Kalaheo post office, and the Lihu‘e Shell which is situated across from the Pizza Hut.
“This donation is tremendous,” Kobayashi said. “It might not sound like much to some, but it affects lots of youth here at Waimea High School.”
Joining Gustavson were Trish Arizo, the area supervisor for the Goose’s Edge Shell stations on Kaua‘i, and his son Matthew.
With the presentation done, the Menehune proceeded to kick off the second half of the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation football opener at Hanapepe Stadium, and as if in appreciation for the gift, returned the Gustavson favor by scoring four touchdowns in the fourth period en route to a 49-7 win over Kapa‘a.
The Menehune travel Friday night to Vidinha Stadium to meet the defending KIF champion Kaua‘i High School Red Raiders.
Kickoff for the JV game is 5 p.m. with the varsity game starting at 7:30 p.m.
Anahola Joel Pahukula will provide live radio broadcast on KQNG AM 570.
