TIME is like money when it is spent on youth. Both the giver and the receiver are richer for it. Su’a fought
the good fight for our kidsHawaii lost a millionaire last week when Maj. Frank Su'a lost his battle with cancer. He was a one-man army when it came to fighting the war on drug abuse among youngsters.
Su'a always seemed to be there with his D.A.R.E. patches and the anti-drug message he wore on his heart. Little Leaguers and young park league basketball players, especially in Kailua, were touched by his commitment to see their generation grow up drug-free.
There are sure to be many tributes for Su'a during services later this week. The best one would be for all those he touched to keep their promise to stay off drugs.
So many of us forget how impressionable youngsters are. But think back to who had the most impact on your life outside of relatives. Most likely it was a teacher, a coach or a clergyman.
At yesterday's Honolulu Quarterback Club luncheon, former Major League pitcher Sid Fernandez talked about his 17 years as a professional player. He spoke about favorite managers and toughest opponents.
But he also recalled how he was influenced by his Little League coach, Howard Okita, now the softball coach at Hawaii Pacific. Fernandez is now 35 yet he still remembers the lessons he learned as a 10-year-old.
Brigham Young-Hawaii women's volleyball coach Wilfred Navalta challenged those at yesterday's luncheon to "take care of our youth."
"Find opportunities, create opportunities to help them," said Navalta. "Spend some money. Spend some time."
We'll all be richer for it. Especially our children.
PEDRO "Pete" Velasco has been enriching lives for years, as a player, coach, teacher and outreach counselor. Last month, the captain of the 1964 U.S. men's Olympic volleyball team got a little payback.
Velasco was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame in Holyoke, Mass, Oct. 24. His classmates included former USA Volleyball director Al Monaco and UCLA women's coach Andy Banachowski.
"It was such a surprise to be inducted," said Velasco, a 10-time USVBA All-American and an NAIA All-Time Great selection. "I don't know how I got selected. I never expected it but I'm very appreciative of the honor."
Velasco lives in Pahoa and is a counselor at Hilo High, working with at-risk students. He also teaches special education.
Velasco, a former men's coach at Hawaii Pacific and Cal State-Los Angeles, said he'd like to get back into coaching. "But with my wife's tenure on the Big Island, wherever it would be, I'd have to negotiate," he said. "I'm very interested and it doesn't matter at what level. I'd like to go into Division I if possible."
It certainly would be to the benefit of college volleyball if one of the Hawaii small colleges would pick up the sport. The Mountain Pacific Sports Federation, the conference in which the Rainbows compete, would welcome a second team in Hawaii.
The logical choice would be Brigham Young-Hawaii, formerly Church College of Hawaii. A logical coaching choice would be Velasco.
It appears that BYU-Hawaii is headed for Division I in volleyball. Women's volleyball.
The Seasiders make the move to NCAA Division II next season. Coach Wilfred Navalta is giving his team three years to prove it can win at that level and then wants to go a step further.
"That's my dream," said Navalta, who is seeking his fourth consecutive title -- eighth overall -- next month. "I'm hoping if we prove ourselves in Division II, our administration will let us do it."
Cindy Luis is a Star-Bulletin sportswriter.
Her column appears weekly.