Column: Christenson, Shoji families embrace unique Olympic experience

Olympic memories always involve mind-blowing accomplishments and emotions. There is nothing quite like it and men’s volleyball at the “2020” Olympic Games in Tokyo promised all that for Hawaii before it even started.

Three kids who grew up in iconic Hawaii athletic families — Micah Christenson and Kawika and Erik Shoji — make up a quarter of the U.S. men’s team. All won bronze medals at the 2016 Games in Rio.

Now at the pinnacle of their athletic careers, those families who have followed them every breath of the way — including, thankfully, live and in loud, living person five years ago in Rio — must watch from 4,000 miles away.

That is also mind-blowing, and reality in our COVID world. It is impossible to fathom their frustration and loss. But when they talk about it, the Christensons and Shojis seem to be dealing immensely well.

They have no control so they are making the best of this very difficult situation. Families of deep faith, they believe we can all rise above it. They see these phenomenal Olympic athletes bringing joy to an injured and worried world.

“We really can’t express how grateful we are for this opportunity they have been given and worked so very hard for,” the Shoji parents say. “Our hope is for them to play for a medal.”

All admit COVID is “definitely a cloud over all the athletes” and that not being able to hug each other after every match makes them ache. They know Micah, Kawika and Erik crave the crowd’s energy and the unique Olympic Village experience. It took months to cancel all the tickets and reservations they made the first chance they got.

Then their faith kicks in. It might actually be easier for the athletes to focus, the families acknowledge. And they still talk to their Olympians twice a day, with Micah and Kawika saying “good morning and good night” to each of their two kids, according to Micah’s mom, Charlene (Kahuanui) Christenson.

Her father Harry was a gifted Hawaii athlete and coach and she won three NAIA national volleyball championships at University of Hawaii Hilo, where she met husband Bob, who played basketball.

So did Mary Shoji, and her husband Dave won four national championships and more than 1,200 matches in his 42-year career as Rainbow Wahine volleyball coach.

Hawaii’s deep love for the sport — UH is the first college where volleyball actually made money — and many more connections have brought the families together.

Micah and Kawika’s kids are the same age ( 3 and not yet 1), so wives Brooke and Megan have grown close. Both families are bringing up the kids while playing professionally, along with Erik, in Europe.

A few hundred Americans play abroad, many making six figures. When the Games are over Micah, who wants to play in two more Olympics, is heading to Russia. Kawika will play in Turkey and Erik in Poland.

Family and friends learned how to live stream early on, following international matches at all hours. That helps at these Olympics. The 2-1 Americans play Brazil at 4 p.m. Hawaii time today. The final pool-play match against Argentina is 2:45 a.m. Sunday.

The families are following the Olympics on NBC live and the NBC sports and SofaScore apps, along with Twitter, Instagram and whatever else they can find.

Micah’s sister Joanna says her parents, and her sister-in-law and her parents, along with the kids, are together watching at the Christenson’s. Everyone wears USA shirts when matches are on. Flags and pupu are prevalent.

“There is so much excitement when our guys make good plays,” Joanna says, “I believe the whole neighborhood can hear us celebrating.”

They are “lying low” for now according to Charlene, “keeping it calm to set the schedule with the little one” until the team ideally reaches quarterfinals.

Then, hopefully, the Shojis will join them and Bob and Dave, who usually sit together at games, won’t have to text anymore.

For now, the Shoji ohana is louder and larger. Sister Cobey is here with her kids. Megan’s daughters and her North Shore family are always in the wild mix at the Shoji home.

“It feels way different than Rio, night and day,” Mary says. “But we have many grandkids running around so they are a good distraction. Dave hasn’t had to leave the room yet.”

No one is saying it is easy, but after all the pain and sadness COVID has inflicted, this is as good as it can get and they aren’t going to miss a moment. No matter how far away they are, how much in-person energy is missing or how much they regret Japan’s rare gifts cannot be completely shared with the world.

“The air is filled with USA! USA! cheers, as well as all the cheers we learned in Rio,” Cobey says. “We’ve definitely made the babies cry on a few big points.”

Tears — of joy and heartbreak — are common at the Olympics. Micah is Team USA’s starting setter and Kawika is his backup and, tellingly, team captain. Erik is one of the world’s best liberos. Chances are, they too will shed tears in Tokyo, one way or another.

Then they will come home, to families they love, and celebrate with the people who are celebrating their remarkable talents now … no matter what takes place in Tokyo.

The Olympic experience is beyond belief and, this year, beyond anything any of us can comprehend.

“When I look back on this I will remember the time watching the games and cheering with family,” Joanna says. “It will definitely be a part of history with the Olympics being postponed and not allowing any spectators, but memories will come from the family time and trying to be creative in setting up the best watch parties for everyone to be together.”

It is the Olympics, unique in the world of sports. In Hawaii, so are these families that make up the heart of our U.S. volleyball team.

Reach Ann Miller at tiserannie@hotmail.com