KAPA‘A —The Eagle was born about five years ago at the Kapa‘a Inline Hockey Association skating rink. Lyle Nemeth, an Eagle Scout candidate from Boy Scout Troop 148, spearheaded a Kuhio Day weekend project which resulted in a facelift for
KAPA‘A —The Eagle was born about five years ago at the Kapa‘a Inline Hockey Association skating rink.
Lyle Nemeth, an Eagle Scout candidate from Boy Scout Troop 148, spearheaded a Kuhio Day weekend project which resulted in a facelift for the KIHA rink, utilized by inline hockey, indoor soccer enthusiasts, and more recently, the roller derby girls, who wrapped up a St. Patrick’s Day home bout.
“I’ve been playing inline hockey and indoor soccer for the past five years,” Nemeth said. “Through the years, I recognized the same core group of people who were running the rink still overseeing the facility as when I started playing. It is because of their dedication and commitment to the youth that I chose to give back and do whatever I could to help this organization.”
Rousing volunteer help from Troop 148, plus ranks of inline skating leaders and the community, Nemeth spearheaded the project where the dugouts were repaired and repainted, old bleachers were cleaned and repainted, the existing picnic benches were repainted and the general area was pressure washed, overgrown weeds taken out, and the Sport Court materials were relocated to allow more space for users.
The rink is managed by the Kauai Inline Hockey Association in partnership with the YMCA, and is located within the county’s New Kapa‘a Town Park.
Nemeth said the project brought forth a lot of contributions from the community, including 24 feet of new wood from Honsador which was used to build a new 24-foot wooden bleacher accommodating more spectators.
Home Depot provided four gallons of flat white paint and four gallons of flat blue paint which was used to repaint the dugouts.
Ace Hardware provided five gallons of primer, an assortment of paint rollers and pans as well as two pounds of 16-penny nails to create the bleachers.
Kiahuna Golf Club came forward with five gallons of green paint for the bleachers and provided equipment needed to complete the project, joining the Puakea Golf Club who offered the use of a pallet jack.
Nemeth said the project spanned three days over the Kuhio Day weekend with help coming from Troop 148 Scoutmaster Myles Uyesono and Assistant Scoutmaster Lyle Tabata who roused scouts Michael Dressler, Nathanael Elmore, Bradley Fujiuchi, Colby Ihara-Takase, Brandon Iida, Elijah and Tanner Martiney, Austin Oshiro, John Quisel, Michael Tabata and Vance Tokita.
Community volunteers, including many inline hockey coaches and players who came forward over the weekend included John Masterson, Todd Mayer, Tyson Wakayama, Falcon Valeria, Mike Ensmann, Craig Carney, Christina Martiney, Larry Dressler, Brian and Trevor McCracken, Jaime Pablo, Axel Menezes, George and Janice Betts.
“Without the help of my troop and the community, this project would not have been completed,” Nemeth said. “I’m so thankful that everyone was willing to volunteer their time and knowledge to make this project a success, not only for me, but for those who continue to use the rink.”
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
