Kaua‘i’s best poker players came to the Wailua Marina Restaurant last night to play in a Texas Hold ’Em Poker Fundraiser for Special Olympics Kaua‘i. Although first prize at the fundraiser — a two-night stay at the Princeville Resort —
Kaua‘i’s best poker players came to the Wailua Marina Restaurant last night to play in a Texas Hold ’Em Poker Fundraiser for Special Olympics Kaua‘i.
Although first prize at the fundraiser — a two-night stay at the Princeville Resort — is considerably less than the $11.7 million top prize doled out at the ongoing World Series of Poker in Las Vegas, the cause the 40 players gathered for is more important than money and a gold bracelet.
“These kids have no opportunity to compete in sports at school,” said Special Olympics coach Pat Coon. “There are four weekends a year where they get to be normal kids with no social pressure.”
Special Olympics Kaua‘i sends more than 100 Special Olympians to events and training across the country at no cost to the participants, volunteer Jennifer Arashiro said.
But giving Special Olympics athletes this opportunity requires constant fundraising, Arashiro said.
“All the money raised in Kaua‘i goes back to Kaua‘i athletes,” Arashiro said. “The fundraising can get a little tiring, but it’s important that we do it for the kids. We’re just a dedicated group of volunteers.”
Jocelyn Barriga, the area coordinator for Special Olympics Kaua‘i, organized the event.
“She’s incredible; she coordinates all of the fundraisers,” Coon said. “Jocelyn gives freely, effortlessly unconditionally and constantly. She’s the best example anyone could wish for.”
Coon’s daughter, Amara Coon, who helped Jocelyn deal cards, is Hawai‘i’s Special Olympics Athlete of the Year.
“Amara won because she goes out of her way to help others,” her mother said. “When a fellow competitor struggles with a tray, Amara will come and help.”
Another Special Olympics star, Kylie Moniz, was on hand to support the poker players.
Moniz recently returned from Iowa where he won numerous medals for powerlifting.
Moniz said he can bench press 485 pounds.
“My entire family was there to cheer me on,” Moniz said. “It was funny, I was a local boy in Iowa.”
Kaua‘i’s Special Olympians are training for the fall season Akaki Classic in Honolulu, where they will compete in bocce ball and soccer.
“Last year we tied for first and won a silver medal,” Coon said. “This year, we hope to win.”
The next fundraiser for Special Olympics Kaua‘i is “Cop on Top” from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2. For that event, two Kaua‘i police officers will remain on the roof of Safeway in Waipouli for two and a half days to raise $25,000.
“They can only come down for bathroom breaks,” Arashiro said.
• Steven Stein, editorial intern, can be reached at 245-3681 or sstein@kauaipubco.com.
