More than 180 people turned out Saturday for the Positive Coaching Alliance and Anti-Drug/Underage Drinking Prevention Family Fair on the Westside. Brenda Jose said this one-of-a-kind training was held at the historic Waimea Theater with a breakout session taking place
More than 180 people turned out Saturday for the Positive Coaching Alliance and Anti-Drug/Underage Drinking Prevention Family Fair on the Westside.
Brenda Jose said this one-of-a-kind training was held at the historic Waimea Theater with a breakout session taking place at the Waimea High School cafeteria. It was a partnership between the Kekaha and Hanapepe Pop Warner associations.
“I am really happy with the great turnout and thrilled to hear positive feedback from parents who participated in the morning training activities,” said Raynette Kagawa, president of the Hanapepe Pop Warner Association.
Gary Pacarro and Keoki Frasier from the Positive Coaching Alliance shared facilitating duties, concentrating their training attentions on the youth athletes and coaches.
Theresa Koki of the county’s Anti-Drug Office addressed the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse by youth and stressed how modeling good behavior by coaches and parents are the front-line defense mechanisms in preventing youth from abusing substances.
Gary Shimabukuro of Laulima Hawai‘i teamed with Keith Kamita, the deputy director of Law Enforcement for the State of Hawai‘i, to discuss the current trends of drug abuse in the nation and the direct negative impact it has on communities.
During the day-long event, training organizers identified four main objectives to serve West Kaua‘i families, coaches and student athletes who are participants of the Kekaha and Hanapepe football associations.
Leading the list is the development and fostering of techniques for positive communication skills between coaches, administrative staff, parents and youth.
Engaging families to play an active role in the success of their athletic youth scholar was another area being addressed.
The group agreed on the need for educating the Kaua‘i Pop Warner Football League and the Hawai‘i Pop Warner members on the current trends of drug and alcohol abuse on Kaua‘i and to encourage youth to stay drug and alcohol free.
The bottom line was for everyone to have fun.
Mel Rapozo, the regional director of Pop Warner Wescon Region, and Jean Warren, the scholastics administrator for the Kekaha Pop Warner Association, shared the microphone during the day.
Coach Bambi Emayo offered the blessing to start the activities with Kaua‘i Fire Chief Robert Westerman offering opening remarks on behalf of Kaua‘i Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr.
The event was made possible through the efforts of the County of Kaua‘i, the Queen Lili‘uokalani Children’s Center, the Rotary Club of West Kaua‘i, Pioneer Hi-Bred, E Ola Mau Na Leo O Kekaha.
