HANAMA‘ULU — While a lot of Kaua‘i residents were glued to television sets for the NFL Pro Bowl Sunday, members of the Kalepa Hillsiders senior softball team were outside working. “They’ve been here almost every single day,” said Pauline Ibia,
HANAMA‘ULU — While a lot of Kaua‘i residents were glued to television sets for the NFL Pro Bowl Sunday, members of the Kalepa Hillsiders senior softball team were outside working.
“They’ve been here almost every single day,” said Pauline Ibia, a member of the Hanama‘ulu Neighborhood Association. “Especially Angel Madrid and Ernie Domingo. Those two guys are here every day.”
The volunteer weekend work crews are getting the softball field in shape for the Feb. 25 opening of the Kaua‘i Senior Softball League season.
“The mayor is going to be here,” Ibia said. “Hopefully, we’ll get some of the council members here, as well. The boys have been working real hard to get the field in shape because this year the opening ceremonies are going to be held here.”
Peter Rayno, one of the Kalepa players, said the effort started last year when George Lee, a Kalepa player, captained a team effort to get the park spruced up and ready for hosting home games.
This was done in cooperation with the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation.
Domingo, who has been involved with chores ranging from watering the infield to filling in low spots, said a lot of the work is a continuation of the effort which started last year.
Tats Tamashiro, a team player and contractor by trade, spearheaded the efforts to clean up the infield, using heavy equipment to replace the former dirt infield with cinder provided by the county.
The Kiahuna Golf Club contributed seashore paspalum sod valued at more than $10,000 to replace the weed-laced infield. On Sunday, the players built an announcer’s booth.
On Sunday, the group headed by Tamashiro was involved in building an announcer’s booth.
“Eventually, we want to have a pavilion where the people can enjoy the park even more,” Rayno said.
As the group worked, a group of young boys squealed with delight, tossing around a football outside the fenced-off infield.
“This is good,” Rayno said. “We like to see the young kids come out to enjoy the park. At least they’re not stuck in front of the video games.”
