by Eric Bunyan

Waimanalo has been involved in P.A.L. Flag Football since the days when our program operated out of the `old gym.' For many years coaches Jeff Larobis, Vincent Pasqual, Bear Wagner, and their helpers carted our kids all over the island to compete with the best athletes from various communities. For several years we had our own community league at Waimanalo Beach Park and had exciting games every Wednesday when Pop Warner Football had their mandatory day off from practice. Eddie Kahihi Kolo, Peter Albinio, Pat Olayer, Pua Kumai, Chief Williams, and Francis Mauliola, as well as many others, gave freely of their time and helped develop dozens of athletes, many of whom went on to be high school and even college stars.

We're now dealing with a new generation of players. Many are children of players from our previous leagues. Now Head Coach Phil Vierra and his assistants Derek Baxter, Lawrence Sanchez, Isi Paraon and Dawon Nuuhiwa, pool their talents and serve their community by working daily with almost fifty boys and girls in the Mustang (grades 2 to 4) and Bronco (grades 4 to 7) age groups.

This year Waimanalo had a particularly successful season. The Mustangs had a 7-1 regular season, and were Western Division Champs for the second year in a row. Their only loss was to Hawaii Kai, the eventual runner-up in the Island wide playoffs. The Broncos were undefeated in the regular season and were East and West Division Champs. In the playoffs they lost to Hawaii Kai (who they beat easily during regular season). Hawaii Kai went on to become State Champs. This was Waimanalo Broncos fifth year in a row as District Champs.

The unique thing about coach Phil's program is that it doesn't focus only on athletics. He also focuses on education and has weekly grade and performance check-offs that the athletes must have their teachers sign, an incentive program with rewards such as Mini-golf trips and Dave's Ice Cream certificates for good performances, and a community service program. The teams cleaned up trash, bagged laves, and scraped gum at Waimanalo School, and went on field trips to the Police Museum.

Special awards were given to deserving players in both age groups. Listed here are winners in the Mustang and then in the Bronco divisions. Most valuable players were Ivan Bolo and Henry Timu. Best Team Supporters in the fundraising were J. D. Puli and Bryan Costa. Most improved players were Kalani Kaeo and William Correa. Best Linemen were Nainoa Nuuhiwa and Kaimi Baxter on the Mustang team and Fea Tolua and Eddie Ohia on the Broncos. Best Mustang defenders were Jacob Cook and Brandon Paraon. Bronco defensive awards went to Brandi Leaver and Juvanni Hernandez. Tom Burns and Cody Cabana won offensive awards on the Mustang team, while Chasadie Sanchez and Bryan Costa were recognized as best offensive players on the older Bronco team.

All of these success could not have been achieved without the dedicated involvement of the team mothers Joanna Cook and Thalia Burns. Thanks are also due to Pinky at Jack-in-the-Box, June at McDonald's, Bobby from Dave's Ice Cream, Stanley Kodama's Feed Store, Florence and her staff at Bellow's mini-golf, Mrs. Correa and her staff at Sea Life Park, Laurene Kaluau Kealoha and Friends of Waimanalo, Mr. Rawlins at the Police Academy, Mr. Silva at the Police Museum, and the management of Daiei. Very special thanks to Ryan Canon, one of Kailua High School's outstanding football players, for taking time to come to our football banquet and give a great motivational speech to the teams and their parents. The kids have always looked up to him and now have even more reason to do so.

Coach Phil and his staff remind us that registration for this winning program will take place again next August. Bulletins will be posted at the gym and ion this newspaper. They also wish to give some credit to officer John Kaulu of P.A.L. who has again gone the extra mile to conduct a quality League for the community and the whole island.