LIHU‘E — Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami said on Friday that when Ayana Pennell’s school mates ask her what she did for the summer, she can alwsays reply, “I had a day named after me.”
Kawakami proclaimed Aug. 2 as Ayana Pennell Day to the unbelieving 12-year-old, who recently captured the Quad Cup in California, beating even adults to get the Cup.
With the honor, Ayana has been invited to skate in Milan, Italy, in September.
The honor of having a day named after her was not limited to just winning the big contests in California. It overflows to her attitude, her demeanor at the skate park, and just being an overall good skater.
“You are a role model,” Kawakami told the young girl who on Fourth of July got air over the mayor during a Play Streets event in Kekaha.”You earned the respect of the people who use the skate park, who leave you alone so you an skate. You are what people who object to skate parks need to see and talk to.”
Ayana’s mother said the young student has been skating for about three years, starting during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Her first pair were inline skate,” the mother said. “She got help from the Roller Derby girls in skating with four wheels. When she was invited to skate in California, she said ‘yes.’ She won that tournament against other youth in her age bracket.”
A year later, Ayana was invited to the Quad Cup, which is a rollerskating competition that features street and bowl contests.
“Winning the Quad Cup was big,” her mom said. “This time, she didn’t just win over people in her age group. She beat adults.”
After winning the Quad Cup in January, Ayana received the invitation to skate in Italy.
Receiving the day named in her honor was a total surprise.
“She even forgot her skates. Dad has too bring the skates in,” her mom said.
”But receiving the honor has set off the phones with offers of equipment. Equipment basics, including the pads, can run in the upwards of several hundred dollars. And, she cannot forget the Kaua‘i Skate ‘Ohana who have been so supportive of her skating.”
