LIHU‘E — The spirit of Kaua‘i athletics was part of the excitement at the 31st Annual Kaua‘i Visitor Industry Charity Walk as the audience was surprised by a visit from University of Hawai‘i head football coach Greg McMackin and his
LIHU‘E — The spirit of Kaua‘i athletics was part of the excitement at the 31st Annual Kaua‘i Visitor Industry Charity Walk as the audience was surprised by a visit from University of Hawai‘i head football coach Greg McMackin and his wife Heather, Saturday.
This is the second year McMackin has taken part in the Kaua‘i Walk, and while searching out his wife, who became separated during the three-mile course, discovered the stadium.
“I passed by this stadium while looking for Heather, and I said ‘Why not?’” McMackin said. “This year, we brought the team to Maui for a Spring Game. With this kind of stadium, I would like to see the team come here for a Spring Game as well.”
“We have several Kaua‘i boys, and the island supports the Warriors, so I think it would be a good thing.”
Jett Jasper, a sophomore wide receiver, and Kenny Estes, a defensive back, are both graduates of Kaua‘i programs, Jasper a graduate of Kaua‘i High School, and Estes, a graduate of Waimea High School.
Keahi Watson, a junior defensive lineman, of Nanakuli has ties to Kaua‘i after being a student at Lihu‘e schools before relocating to O‘ahu, and Vaughn Meatoga, one of McMackin’s hopefuls as a defensive lineman for this coming season, is a sophomore who graduated from Kamehameha Schools, but lists Kalaheo as his home address.
Sharing the same Warrior moniker, the Kapa‘a High School football team with coach Keli‘i Morgado and his staff, were out in force, forming a gauntlet at the finish line where the more than 1,400 walkers passed through to receive a gift and a ticket for breakfast from the players.
Brandon Fujita, one of the Kapa‘a coaching staff, said the Kapa‘a Warriors will have its spring Green-and-White game on May 29 and will have more details coming.
The Kaua‘i High School baseball team with coach Hank Ibia and his staff were out even earlier, helping distribute balloons to walkers prior to the Walk starting at 7 a.m.
The Red Raiders, Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation champions, had recently returned from the Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association state championships with the silver medal after dropping a 3-2 heartbreaker in the seventh inning to Maryknoll in the Division II title game.
Also among the crowd, Cory Oride, who finished tied for third at the state boys golf championship on Maui this week, was helping his fellow Boy Scouts with Boy Scout Troop 83.
The University of Hawai‘i football team opens its 2009 season, its 110th anniversay, on Sept. 4 by hosting Central Arkansas starting at 7:05 p.m. at Aloha Stadium.
