Dennis Fujimoto – TGI Staff PUA LOKE — “We were covered with flowers when they greeted us. Now, they’re feeding us. This is a very special place,” one parent was overheard as Coach Rick Hayashida, his 34-member El Camino Real
Dennis Fujimoto – TGI Staff
PUA LOKE — “We were covered with flowers when they greeted us. Now, they’re feeding us. This is a very special place,” one parent was overheard as Coach Rick Hayashida, his 34-member El Camino Real Conquistadore football team, and their support band of coaches and parents settled in for a local-style paina of chicken hekka, hot dogs and chili at M. Kawamura Farm Enterprises on Wednesday night.
The Conquistadores, who raised $30,000 to make this trip a reality, are here to play the Kaua‘i High School Red Raiders Friday night at Vidinha Stadium as part of their effort to fulfill a dream shared by Masato “Mac” Kawamura who, before his passing in 2001, wanted the team to play on Kaua‘i.
“This is a special trip,” Hayashida, Mac’s grandson, said. “For many of the kids, it’s their first time to Hawai‘i; for some it’s their first plane ride; for some, it’s their first time away from their parents; for some, it’s their first time out of Los Angeles.”
“It’s going to be emotional,” Hayashida said of the Friday night appearance at Vidinha. “I’ll go to the cemetary first, to pay my final respects before we go to the stadium.”
“This game is to honor Mac, my grandfather, and all the inspiration he brought to El Camino Real High School,” Hayashida added.
“He was known by everyone,” Michelle Hayashida added. “Not just the football staff, but all the coaches from the different sports, and throughout the school. He made an impression.”
Mayor Bryan Baptiste, in welcoming the group to Kaua‘i, said they should take note of how Mac’s influence lives on, as, in spite of his passing, still continues to invite people to his home two years later.
Kickoff is 7:30 p.m. at Vidinha Stadium.
