LIHU‘E — Frisbees may have replaced footballs on Saturday, but the joy and pride painted on the faces of over 300 youngsters that gathered at the North Vidinha fields was a clear indication of the success enjoyed by Kaua‘i Police
LIHU‘E — Frisbees may have replaced footballs on Saturday, but the joy and pride painted on the faces of over 300 youngsters that gathered at the North Vidinha fields was a clear indication of the success enjoyed by Kaua‘i Police Officer Mark Ozaki and the inaugural Kaua‘i Police Activities League’s 2003 flag football season.
“I don’t know how he did it,” police chief George Freitas said while scanning the field that included players from the five major associations, their coaches, parents, and supporters that had converged for a ceremony that ended with the distribution of trophies and a Cold Stone Ice Creamery certificate for each player in the league.
Chief Freitas thanked the parents of the players for taking the time and making the effort of getting their children out to the parks since the program started in June. Freitas asked the parents to look around at the field of players, and make note of those children who weren’t present.
“It is the aim of KPAL to get the children who aren’t here today, will one day be here,” Freitas said.
Association representatives played a key role in getting the program going said Ozaki, noting how a Waimea representative was instrumental in getting the tee-shirts for the initial 350 players, and representatives from Lihu‘e, Koloa, and Kapa‘a working long hours over several months to help with the registration process.
In addition to association representatives, Ozaki received support from law enforcement officers who turned out to help coach teams, and working alongside parent volunteers, did duty holding down markers, refereeing, and keeping time.
Mel Rapozo, in addition to representing the county council with a certificate of commendation, did the honors as the day’s master of ceremonies, adding that future programs under KPAL are already in the works, hinting of the possibility of the re-emergence of boxing matches on the island under the supervision of KPAL.
Mayor Bryan Baptiste also added good news to the outpouring, noting that he needed to meet with Ozaki to work out plans for a basketball program that would probably utilize the facilities at the armories in Kapa`a and Hanapepe, that announcement made to the large crowd that focussed on the collection of trophies awaiting distribution.
Rapozo said that under KPAL, it became more affordable for families to have their children participate in football because of the grants that were available.
The recently-contributed mobile office by the Kaua‘i Government Employees Federal Credit Union may have looked the same, but the KGEFCU logo was replaced by the KPD shield with the word “police” emblazoned across it, as it anchored the day’s festivities that had KPD volunteers man special displays of equipment as well as a drug display.
The KPD bike patrol, utilizing the Explorers, were also on hand as well as KPD volunteers offering to do Keiki ID for those youngsters who were on hand.
In addition to the trophies, KPD also had a good number of DARE and GREAT goodies available for the players with lunch awaiting everyone.
