LIHUE — Mokihana Aquatics has three swimmers qualified for the Age Group Short Course Championships scheduled for Kona on the Big Island on Dec. 18 to 21. These swimmers will not be attending the meet on the Big Island, said
LIHUE — Mokihana Aquatics has three swimmers qualified for the Age Group Short Course Championships scheduled for Kona on the Big Island on Dec. 18 to 21.
These swimmers will not be attending the meet on the Big Island, said Mokihana Aquatics Coach Orlando “O” Anaya.
“After talking to folks on the Big Island, and after talking to an epidemiologist, I have made an administrative decision to cancel Mokihana Aquatics’ participation in the short course championships,” Anaya said Sunday. “I am making this decision based on several factors — Kona is considered the ‘hot bed’ on the Big Island (for dengue fever); Kona has had more cases of dengue fever than any other place in the state of Hawaii; the state director of the Department of Health said Friday that the situation is in an epidemic situation and things will get worse before it gets better.”
Anaya, who has been in communication with the Department of Health on behalf of Mokihana Aquatics, said he was of the understanding that December could be the worst month for the dengue fever, also called “Break Bone” disease, because bones become brittle due to extremely high fever.
“We have only three state qualifying swimmers, ages 9, 10, and 11 years old,” Anaya said. “They will have many more opportunities to attend state championships. Not participating in the short course championships is the right thing to do.”
The number of dengue fever cases on the Big Island has risen to 92.
“There will be other state events,” said John Inouye, a Mokihana Aquatics parent. “There are risks we take, but health shouldn’t be one of them. Why risk the children’s health?”
Hawaiian Swimming House of Delegates, in charge of the age group championships, met Sunday to discuss the dengue fever outbreak and how it affects the meet in Kona. During the meeting, it was brought up that one team indicated it would not be coming if the meet was held in Kona. None of the teams at the meeting indicated they would not participate.
Following a lengthy discussion, Hawaiian Swimming said on its website which was updated Monday, “We are not currently changing venues from Kona. While this may change if conditions worsen, we cannot know that at this time.”
Hawaiian Swimming said it will be taking precautions, getting cooperation from the Hawaii Island to support visitors in Kona with information before and during the meet.
Additionally, Hawaiian Swimming will have an information sheet that all teams will provide visiting swimmers and their parents before going to Kona for the meet so they can make an informed decision. All coaches and teams have been asked to certify they have provided this information to their athletes and parents.
Hawaiian Swimming said if conditions worsen, the options would be to cancel the meet, or postpone to a later date.
Anaya said if the Local Swim Committee of USA Swimming moves the meet to Oahu, or Maui, he would reconsider his decision.
“This is only my child’s second invitational after aging up,” said Deborah Christian, another Mokihana Aquatics parent. “We don’t know too much about what goes on with states, but there will be others. The swimmers are so exposed when they’re out there on the pool. I would rather be safe.”
He said he discussed this with all of the families involved, and everyone agreed, “This is the right thing to do.”
