LIHU‘E — When the gun sounds on the first event, April 11 at 4:30 p.m., it will signal the start of the 66th Annual Rotary Club of West Kaua‘i Track Meet at Vidinha Stadium. “This event is one of the
LIHU‘E — When the gun sounds on the first event, April 11 at 4:30 p.m., it will signal the start of the 66th Annual Rotary Club of West Kaua‘i Track Meet at Vidinha Stadium.
“This event is one of the longest running events by a Rotary Club in the State of Hawai‘i,” said Dave Walker, a longtime track and field coach and a member of the Rotary Club of West Kaua‘i. “High school teams will compete for gold, silver and bronze medals and a team trophy combining points from Boys and Girls divisions.”
Walker said in addition to the overall prizes, an outstanding male and female athlete award will be presented based on a performance, which is compared with national and state standards.
“The award has to be fair to all concerned,” Walker said. “It is not given based on accumulated points since that would discriminate against athletes who specialize in throws, jumps or distance events.”
Volunteers are needed to assist Rotarians at the meet, and all interested people can call Walker at 652-0616 to register or for more information.
“Volunteers will receive the gratitude of the student athletes, coaches and the Rotary Club of Kaua‘i,” Walker said. “The reward is a gourmet box dinner.”
Walker said the Rotary Club of West Kaua‘i started the meet in 1947 where it was held at the current HP Faye Track in Kekaha.
“The track was constructed by Kekaha Sugar Plantation and the meets were held there until 1978,” Walker said. “Attempts to upgrade the track proved impractical because there was insufficient land. The Rotary Club moved the meet to Vidinha Stadium where it has been held annually with the hope to return the meet to the sunny Westside once a track was built.”
During the attempt to upgrade the Kekaha track, the Rotary Club of West Kaua‘i did go on record to request a track be built on the Westside and received support from then-Representative Richard Kawakami, who passed away before he could fulfill the wish.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
