Bowling advocate keeps rolling strikes

Edward Medeiros clearly isn’t one for kicking back.

In the quarter-century since retirement, the Kailua resident’s daily schedule has picked up in pace, keeping him on the move with a range of activities centered on service to others.

Whether shuttling a neighbor to the pharmacy at a moment’s notice or organizing a movement to keep a local landmark open, Medeiros doesn’t give himself much downtime.

Not that he’s complaining at all.

"I don’t mind. It’s better than sitting around being a couch potato," Medeiros said.

Those able to keep up with the 87-year-old might find him organizing meetings for the Kailua Seniors Club, coordinating a recycling drive, serving as an usher at St. Anthony’s Church or performing duties as president of the 3,500-member Oahu Bowling Association.

A member of Kaimuki High School’s first graduating class in 1946, Medeiros moved to Kailua nine years later and continues to devote much of his time to connecting with peers on the Windward side.

After retiring from a career as a roofer and inspector, Medeiros joined the Kailua Seniors Club in 1993 and eventually served as president for eight years. He’s taken a slight step back from the leadership role — he’s now first vice president — but is still often the first to arrive to set up the room at Kailua District Park for the club’s weekly meetings.

Medeiros also leads a choral group to sing at care homes each Thursday, providing transportation for other club members, and spearheads a recycling program that raises close to $1,500 a year. The funds go toward the club’s annual Easter luncheon, providing for members who might not otherwise be able to afford such an event.

He’s even turned his personal hobbies into opportunities to serve.

His involvement in bowling goes back to 1968, part of an active lifestyle that included playing barefoot football, tennis and softball.

Along with helping organize local tournaments as leader of the Oahu Bowling Association, he reserves space in his schedule for two sessions each week and is working to make sure others continue to have access to the game.

Medeiros remains a regular at Pali Lanes in Kailua, one of three bowling facilities on Oahu open to the public along with Aiea and Leeward Bowl.

So when Pali Lanes was slated for closure, Medeiros started a petition to keep the lanes open, with the campaign collecting close to 7,000 signatures.

"We have to wait to see what happens at the end of this year, but we hope to keep the bowling alley open," Medeiros said.

"There’s only three civilian ones; the rest are on military bases, and getting on the base sometimes is not that easy."

While he keeps tabs on issues affecting bowlers on the island, Medeiros also looks out for the needs of his neighbors, often offering rides to the store or a doctor’s appointment.

The payoff for his efforts? Simply the satisfaction of helping out.

"It keeps me going," Medeiros said.

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About this series: The Honolulu Star-Advertiser recently asked readers to help shine a light on the good works of a few true unsung heroes. Readers responded with nominees from divergent walks of island life who share a common desire to help others. Star-Advertiser editors chose six Heroes Next Door who will be highlighted in stories through Monday.