Service for Kauinana on Sunday
A memorial service for former Mililani athletic director and football coach John Kauinana will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Sunday at Mililani High’s John Kauinana Stadium.
A reception will start at 4 p.m., followed by a celebration of life at 5. An on-field parade of former and current student-athletes will be part of the service.
Kauinana had coaching stints at Nanakuli and Leilehua before he was hired at Mililani as an AD when the school opened its doors in 1974. He stayed until his retirement in 2002.
"Big John" was a 1964 graduate of Kaimuki High School, unlike two siblings who attended Kamehameha. He applied for Kamehameha, but was not accepted.
"He couldn’t get in," younger brother Junius Kauinana said. "But once he started playing for Kaimuki’s JV (football team), they approached him. He refused to go."
Kauinana’s impact as a coach and mentor lasted throughout his years, even after retirement.
"He was a difference-maker, regardless of whether he knew it. He was very, very humble," Junius Kauinana said. "He put so much into the school. He left a legacy."
John Kauinana, 65, died June 7. He suffered complications from knee-replacement surgery in January.
Fujikawa way back after 74
Honolulu’s Tadd Fujikawa shot a 3-over 74 on Wednesday and is tied for 131st place at the eGolf Tour’s Cowans Ford Open in North Carolina.
Matt Ryan of Santa Clarita, Calif., leads by one shot after shooting an 8-under 63, which included 10 birdies.
Teams qualify for pool nationals
Three pool teams from Oahu have qualified for the APA National Team Championship in Las Vegas.
Cafe Anasia and Van Ness Ohana will compete in the 8-ball tournament Aug. 21-27, while Brandy’s 2 are in the 9-ball Aug. 18-22 event.
Members of Cafe Anasia are Grace Castillo (captain), Timmy Nakamura, Kimo Nakama, Derek Nakamura, Sondra Pai, Freeman Sasao, Derrick Hyun and Landy Kimura. Members of the Van Ness Ohana are Steve Van Ness (captain), Roger, Steven, Kimberlee, Meghan and Kevin Van Ness, Marcel Apilado and John Inglis.
Members of Brandy’s 2 are David Stevens (captain), Aki Lopez, Richard Kross, Garick Nakagawa, Mike Escorzon and Joe, Jimmy and Charlene Stevens.
Hawaii boxers continue on
Two from the Hawaii Boxing Team remained in contention while two others were eliminated at the USA National Boxing Championships in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Advancing to their respective semifinal today were Lisa Ha and Haley Pasion, both of Kawano Boxing Club. Ha will face second-ranked Marina Ramirez of Las Vegas in the 106-pound division. Pasion, who won her 109-pound bout over Shanne Ruelas of California, 26-19, is up against Nephateria Miller from Connecticut in the 119-pound division.
Losing their quarterfinal bouts Wednesday were Joshua McShane of Five-0 Boxing Club and Boston Salmon (unattached). McShane lost a 26-8 decision to Wisconsin’s Luis Feliciano at 123 pounds, while Errol Spence of Texas stopped Salmon in the second round of their 152-pound quarterfinal.