Rich Jasper of Lihu‘e joked that he wasn’t a good golfer. But that didn’t stop him or 111 other football fans as they joined University of Hawai‘i head football coach June Jones and athletic director Herman Frazier to golf in
Rich Jasper of Lihu‘e joked that he wasn’t a good golfer. But that didn’t stop him or 111 other football fans as they joined University of Hawai‘i head football coach June Jones and athletic director Herman Frazier to golf in the annual Na Koa Golf Tournament fundraiser yesterday at the Puakea Golf Course in Lihu‘e.
Na Koa is the official football booster club for the University of Hawai‘i football team. Na Koa, which translates to “The Warrior,” holds several fundraisers throughout the year to supply the Hawai‘i football players with adequate practicing equipment. It also provides the athletes with food they need to keep up a proper diet, academic and tutorial support and funds a scholarship plan for the athletes’ summer school needs.
As far as the Na Koa Golf Tournament, the organization holds three: one on Kaua‘i, O‘ahu and the Big Island.
Jasper, despite his inexperience with the sport of golf, had a reason to support Na Koa. His son Jett, a former Kaua‘i High School football player, is now playing football for Hawai‘i. The wide receiver made the final cut for the team and was invited to participate in this year’s fall camp.
Dick Holtzman, also of Lihu‘e, brought his football player son, Kevin, to play in the tournament. Sipping his morning coffee, Holtzman heard word of the Harley Davidson motorcycle prize for a hole-in-one on the 13th hole.
While there were many prizes, such as autographed football jerseys, helmets and football tickets, Holtzman was particularly jazzed about the motorcycle.
“I’m focused,” he said as he left for his cart.
Those who played in the tournament along with Jones and Frazier ranged from Hawai‘i defensive coordinator Greg McMackin, Wala‘au host Dickie Chang, Kaua‘i County Councilman Mel Rapozo, State Representative James Tokioka and his son Pono, Waimea High School head track Coach Dave Walker and Kaua‘i High School’s athletic director Ross Shimabukuro.
Co-founder of Na Koa, Ben Yee, made it to Puakea, but didn’t golf.
“I don’t golf,” he said. “But I love seeing the people.”
Yee and his fellow founding members have been with the Hawai‘i football program since the 1960s but started Na Koa 20 years ago.
“I’ve seen Na Koa evolve from raising $26,000 the first year to raising half a million dollars,” Yee said.
Yee is also happy with how Na Koa has grown. The organization started out with only a few hundred members. Now, there are at least 800 official members.
Yesterday’s event brought in more than $17,000, but Na Koa continues to raise funds all year long.
There are several donation/member levels. The “Fan” level ranges from $25 to $49 and includes a Na Koa T-shirt, bumper sticker, decal, newsletter and discounted attendance at weekly coaches luncheons during the season and special meetings in the off-season. Maximum privileges come with a “Coporate” membership of $3,000 or higher.
For more information on the organization or to become a member, visit www.nakoa.org.
• Lanaly Cabalo, sports editor, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 237) or lcabalo@kauaipubco.com.
