KAPA‘A — In high school, Scott Kaui didn’t think much of wrestlers. When he was 16 or 17, he said he teased the student athletes, but they had the final laugh when they challenged him to a turn on the
KAPA‘A — In high school, Scott Kaui didn’t think much of wrestlers.
When he was 16 or 17, he said he teased the student athletes, but they had the final laugh when they challenged him to a turn on the mat.
“It was tougher than I thought it was and I loved it,” the Kaua‘i Police Department lieutenant said of the no-nonsense sport. “There are no excuses. You’re going to win or the other guy is going to win. … It keeps you accountable.”
Now, he’s coaching the sport and promoting its principles for the Kaua‘i Police Activities League. Some police officers, along with a number of community volunteers, are directly involved in coaching for KPAL, a program focused on keeping youth out of trouble by providing them with fun activities.
“I think all the officers recognize the importance of having good role models and mentors for our children because they’re truly our future,” said KPD Capt. Mike Contrades, KPAL Youth Center director.
It also gives young people a different view of police. For example, if one got in trouble and was approached by a police officer who was once his coach, the officer might be able to talk him out of the bad behavior.
“If you were just an officer, he might not respect you,” Kaui said.
The nearly 10-year-old program offers a wide range of activities for children up to 18 years old, as long as they’re still in high school. They can sign up for cheerleading, hip-hop, flag football in the Lihu‘e, Kapa‘a and Waimea areas; jiu-jitsu, boxing in Lihu‘e; North Shore basketball and, of course, wrestling in Kapa‘a, Lihu‘e and the Westside.
Each costs $20 for a year or $50 for an unlimited annual membership that includes as many activities as a child wishes to take. Scholarships are offered to students who receive free meals at school.
Jay Pugh primarily coaches wrestling, an energetic volunteer who drives from his Kalaheo home to teach the sport at KPAL’s new Youth Center in Kapa‘a. Pugh works as the deputy public affairs officer for the Pacific Missile Range Facility in Mana.
“I’m glad he’s here because I’m getting a little too old and big for this,” Kaui said.
The research and development lieutenant also coaches softball and baseball in his spare time.
“I’m always coaching something,” Kaui said. “I just like helping kids.”
The center, which held its grand opening in February, allows KPAL to bring many of its programs under one roof on the Mahelona Medical Center property.
Contrades said he and a fellow officer hope to offer a physical fitness class there, to help battle the obesity problem and improve participants’ confidence and self-esteem. Fit kids, he added, are also likely to be more attentive in class.
Contrades used to give physical fitness instruction for the department.
“Growing up, I had people teaching me how to work (out) and lift weights.
Officers like to work with the keiki, but only as time allows.
“The demands of police work has to come first,” Contrades said.
That’s why community volunteers have been such a crucial part of the program. Other civilian coaches include all-star cheerleading coach Tita Kuhaulua and hip-hop instructor Sherri Sanchez-Holcomb of Excel! Dance Studio.
“They’re just as dedicated as us,” Kaui said of the volunteers.
KPAL hopes to eventually add to the youth center facility and provide other volunteer-taught classes, such as art, cooking, break dancing, rapping and afterschool tutoring, Contrades said. They also would like to install a playground.
“The possibilities are endless (depending) on the volunteers and interest,” Contrades said. “Anything to keep the kids busy.”
During breaks from wrestling practice, the boys agreed that KPAL helps keep children and teens on the straight and narrow.
“When I did this, it kept me more on a straight track so I could focus on school,” said 18-year-old Kory Kanaholani-Davis, who recently returned to wrestling. “If my schooling drops, I can’t come to practice or if I get in trouble with the law, I can’t practice.”
Kaulana Kaui, whose father helps coach wrestling, said he’s glad the program is being offered at the youth center.
“This is a nice facility,” he said. “It keeps kids off the streets and kids out of trouble.”
• Jessica Musicar, staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 224) or by e-mailing jmusicar@thegarden
island.com.
