After dedicating countless hours toward improving their craft on and off the field, court and water, hundreds of state championship-winning student-athletes from Kamehameha Schools Kapālama were honored at a Dinner of Champions held Saturday evening at Ka‘iwakīloumoku to celebrate their tremendous achievements.
Members of the HHSAA state title-winning girls soccer, boys canoe paddling and girls and boys wrestling teams were recognized, as well as individual state champs from the swimming squad. Also honored were competitors from the state champion surf team as well as Kalina Obrey, the 2019 Gatorade Player of the Year in Hawai‘i girls basketball.
The student-athletes and their families were welcomed by KS Kapālama Po‘o Kula Dr. Taran Chun, and also received mana‘o from KS Trustee Robert Nobriga and Assistant Athletic Director Keoni Haole.
“We are such a well-rounded institution,” said Dr. Chun. “When you put on that KS blue-and-white uniform, you’re standing on the shoulders and reputations of thousands and thousands of student-athletes and coaches who have gone before you, and put in the blood, sweat and tears that you did. But, not all of them achieved state championship success the way you have. I want to congratulate you for winning at the highest level.”
“When I look back at the experience I had as a student-athlete here, I didn’t realize how important that time was until I looked back on it,” said Nobriga. “Once our students go on, and they get into their careers, you’re going to look back on how you performed under pressure, how do you lead people and work as a team? I’m very happy because this success positions you well as you move into the next steps of your lives.”
Dr. Chun recalled that when he was a student at KS Kapālama, he had the privilege of enjoying similar dinners, to which students were invited. He also made it a point to invite the parents and coaches because “I know how much you sacrifice and all the hundreds of hours you put in to helping and supporting our haumāna.”
As the spring sports season heats up, multiple KS Kapālama teams are still in the hunt to qualify for their respective state championship competitions. Stay tuned to hhsaa.org for updated state tournament schedules and results as the school year culminates in May.
The event was facilitated by Po‘o Kula Ambassadors, a group of KS Kapālama High School students who receive leadership elective credits for organizing and executing community-building and charitable events throughout the year.
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