NAWILIWILI — Fears of a bad economy were put on the back burner as more than 200 golfers left on a shotgun start at the Richard Kawakami memorial golf tournament, Friday. Several months ago, councilman Derek Kawakami was worried the
NAWILIWILI — Fears of a bad economy were put on the back burner as more than 200 golfers left on a shotgun start at the Richard Kawakami memorial golf tournament, Friday.
Several months ago, councilman Derek Kawakami was worried the annual charity fundraising tournament was not going to be as big as it normally is due to the tightening and uncertain economy. Those concerns were erased when he mentioned that the tournament was sold out during a brief conversation prior to the start of a Kaua‘i County Council meeting two weeks ago.
Jo Ann Koerte, one of the tournament coordinators, said this year’s tournament was made possible through the participation and generosity of 67 sponsors and more than 200 golfers.
Through their efforts, about $30,000 was raised and presented to local charities during the awards get-together at the Kaua‘i Veterans Center on Kapule Highway in Lihu‘e.
Kaua‘i Hospice was the biggest beneficiary, receiving $10,000 from the tournament. The Special Olympics of Kaua‘i, the DARE program administered by the Kaua‘i Police Department, the Kaua‘i Police Activities League, and the Kaua‘i Junior Golf Association were beneficiaries of $4,000 each. The Big Brothers and Big Sisters program and Hale ‘Opio received $2,000 each.
Koerte said with the presentation of the Friday funds, the Richard Kawakami golf tournament has presented $411,150 to various charities on Kaua‘i in the 16 years the tournament has been held.
“This is one of the bigger tournaments in the state,” said Dean Pigao of the Kaua‘i Lagoons security staff. “When I was involved in the DARE program, I remember how big this tournament is, and how much food is out there on all the holes.”
Scott Ashworth of the Kaua‘i Lagoons golf course said they just opened up No. 16, Thursday, the eve of the big annual tournament.
“Golfers have told us how happy they are that one of the signature holes has re-opened,” Ashworth said. “I hope these golfers are happy they can play that ocean hole as well.”
