KAPA‘A — The Kapa‘a High School athletic department recently became the beneficiary of a lot of training equipment. Princeville at Hanalei, through the courtesy of Jeff Stone and The Resort Group contributed equipment from the former fitness center to Kapa‘a
KAPA‘A — The Kapa‘a High School athletic department recently became the beneficiary of a lot of training equipment.
Princeville at Hanalei, through the courtesy of Jeff Stone and The Resort Group contributed equipment from the former fitness center to Kapa‘a High School, and on Thursday, Scott McCormack, Melody James and Ka‘ala Clarke visited the school to see how the equipment fit into the Kapa‘a program.
“Brand new, the equipment was valued at $200,000, but after all the use, it’s now valued at about $70,000,” James, whose son is a Kapa‘a High School alumni, said. “I remember when my son was here and all the rusted and taped equipment.”
McCormack said when the equipment became available, they gave a lot of thought to where they could donate the equipment where it would have the greatest impact.
“The youth are the future,” McCormack, who played volleyball while a student at Punahou on O‘ahu, said. “We know that by investing in the youth, it allows them opportunities for the future, and when Melody suggested Kapa‘a High School as a beneficiary, we were glad to do this.”
Greg Gonsalves, the athletic director at Kapa‘a High School, said the project involved a lot of equipment.
“Some of the equipment went to the weight room to supplement what it has,” he said. “Some went to create a fitness center in the gym, the trainers wanted some, and the cardio stuff is on the stage.”
Gonsalves’ son Makoa, a senior at Kapa‘a High School, took on the project of building storage facilities to accomodate items so room could be made at the gym.
“I think he spearheaded the whole project,” Gonsalves said. “He coordinated the moving of the equipment with the football team and a lot of different people.”
To add to the task, Gonsalves said the gym was unavailable for two months due to renovation work.
“It was a big project,” Gonsalves said. “They showed me where the equipment was stored — in a hanger at the airport — and when I saw everything all piled in there, it was a lot.”
But the project took shape between the renovation work and Makoa’s efforts.
“He’s pretty good with tools,” Gonsalves said. “He framed everything and built storage areas for the cheerleaders, the Kapa‘a Project Grad supplies, and one for the Student Activities.”
The trio from Princeville at Hanalei, currently working to reopen the Prince golf course on Dec. 14, were anxious to see how the equipment worked out for the school, and on Thursday, had an opportunity, being greeted by Gonsalves, Daniel Hamada, the Kapa‘a High School principal, and Sam Henriques, the lead trainer at Kapa‘a, and the girls from the Warrior Girls Volleyball Team who were working out in anticipation of its match against Waimea, Friday night at the Clem Gomes Gym.
“This is pretty good,” McCormack said. “We never had equipment like this when I was in high school — even if it was Punahou.”
Gonsalves was just appreciative the students could benefit from the equipment.
“We’re creating a fitness center up in the gym so the teams which practice up in that area don’t need to compete with the other teams for the weight room,” he said. “We’re really appreciative of all that Princeville at Hanalei has done for the kids.”
