To have a vision, to try and execute it as best as you can and watch it come to fruition is one of the most beautiful things to experience in life… To the administration, teachers, staff and students of Kapa‘a
To have a vision, to try and execute it as best as you can and watch it come to fruition is one of the most beautiful things to experience in life…
To the administration, teachers, staff and students of Kapa‘a High School, the student-athletes that comprise the 2011 KIF football championship teams (Varsity and JV), their parents, families, friends and to the entire community of Kapa‘a:
On behalf of the entire Kapa‘a High School football program, we would like to extend a sincere Mahalo to everyone for their tremendous support of the program for the past four years. Your understanding and patience while building this program helped set this grand endeavor into motion and enabled us to win our first KIF Championship in 22 years.
Mr. Gilmore Youn – Your belief in hiring head coach Keli‘i Morgado is the reason all of this became possible. We all are so grateful for this opportunity you gave to all of us. You took a chance on us and we hope we validated that risk you took. We hope you’re enjoying your retirement and miss having you around campus.
Mr. Bill Arakaki – Thank you so much for your unwavering support, your patience and understanding.
Mr. Daniel Hamada, Ms. Diane Ayre and Mr. Todd Harrison – Your dedication to the students of our school, your hard work, your continued patience, support and understanding of this football program and the logistics of managing over 100 student-athletes is immeasurable. We couldn’t work for a better and more professional administration team.
Mr. Bernard Carvalho – A huge thank you to Kapa‘a’s most famous alumn. Your support of this football program has been tremendous.
Mr. Greg Gonsalves – It has been a dream working with and for the best athletic director in the State of Hawai‘i. We realize we can be very passionate about our beliefs. We thank you for your patience and support of the sometimes circus atmosphere that goes with the football program.
Mrs. Charlene Quinones – You were our first true mentor. You became our second. You’ve had a hand in helping us “do this” twice!
Teachers and staff of Kapa‘a High School – 22 years is a long time. It takes a special type of person to persevere through so much adversity for that length of time. It takes someone really special to deal with the many distractions, complex issues concerning these teen-aged boys and the demands we have placed upon you. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts because none of this would have happened if not for the special human beings that are a part of the faculty and staff here at Kapa‘a High School. It makes me so proud to work with and among all of you.
Band Director Catherine Paleka and the Kapa‘a High School Band – A huge mahalo for supporting the football program and for allowing us to use the chorus room for our meetings, film sessions and our pre-game meals. Thank you so much to the band students for your support playing in the searing heat on those Saturday afternoon games.
The Kapa‘a High School cheerleaders – Your demonstration of school spirit, enthusiasm and true support of the football program humbled all of us. Thank you so much for the lei you gave us before each game.
Mr. Paul Souza – A million thanks would not be enough for taking care of, cleaning up after and keeping the football facilities in championship order! You have done and continue to do above and beyond what is required.
Ms. Debbie Lacaden – Thank you for the countless times we asked to use the cafeteria facilities. You were so gracious in allowing us to use the facilities and so generous with your time to help accommodate us.
Mr. Duane Girard and Girard’s Quality Cleaners – Thank you for washing our uniforms every game for the last four years. We are truly grateful and appreciative of your generosity.
Mr. Kurt Ozaki (Ozaki Creative Group) – Thank you so much for creating the Kapa‘a football logo. For meeting the demands of the program and creating our T-shirts, hats, visors, helmet decals and everything else that we put that awesome logo on.
Mr. Bobby Kubota – Your family business has been a cornerstone of our community. We are appreciative and grateful beyond words of your time, compassion and generosity with the football program’s many requests.
Mr. Art Fujita – Thanks, Dad, for taking the lead on raising the money to fund this football program. This component required a huge undertaking and the demands upon it were monumental. We are so very appreciative of your time and the sacrifices you have made for the football program.
Dr. Monty Downs – 40-plus years helping take care of our student-athletes. A thank you is not enough. Will a KIF football championship suffice?
Ms. Jennifer Bloom and Ms. Sam Henriques – Thank you so very much for monitoring, administering aid, treating and counseling over 100 student-athletes.
Ms. Nadine Rapozo – You have done the work of 10 people for almost four years. Being the booster president, treasurer, secretary, event planner and team mom is a thankless job. So thank you for all you do and continue to do.
To our wives, significant others, our children and families – There are not enough words of appreciation or apologies to make up for the many times we all asked you to sacrifice something important or had to rely on you to do something we were supposed to be responsible for. From the bottom of our hearts, we love each and every one of you.
To the 2008, 2009 and 2010 Kapa‘a Warrior football teams – You all helped lay the foundation for what we were able to achieve today. Your hard work, dedication, sacrifice and commitment allowed the program to grow and gain community support every year. This championship is for all of you!
To the 2011 KIF Football champion Kapa‘a Warrior football teams – We have never been more proud of a group of young men in our life. We are lost for words to be able to describe the magnitude of this entire experience that you all have given to our school, your families and friends and to this wonderful community of Kapa‘a. You have demonstrated perseverance, you’ve earned respect, you showed you are capable of playing disciplined football and you all gave it maximum EFFORT! Thank you for a season to remember.
To the seniors: You accomplished the goal! Came in as freshman and leave as champions. Remember: 50 years from now, when I am long gone from this earth, you will always be champions!
Lastly, it brought me so much joy to look up in the stands this past year and see former classmates, teachers, coaches and the wonderful community of Kapa‘a, many of whom I haven’t seen in 20 years having the time of their lives. To be able to give back to and share this amazing experience with the community that supported me as a child and continues to support the kids growing up today is an unbelievable experience.
You all thought this was just a “game” of football. Try explaining that to these young men who won a championship for the first time in 22 years. Try telling that to their families and friends. Try telling that to the community of Kapa‘a who filled the stands with green pride for the first time in decades. I can tell you that experiencing it was nothing compared to feeling it! I will cherish and hold these memories close to my heart. I hope it did the same for many of you to. Thank you for a season to remember!
Brandon Fujita is a teacher and assistant football coach at Kapa‘a High School.
