LIHUE — “We want the kids to get excited,” said Melanie Okamoto of the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation. “Not just about basketball, but physical activity in the sun, and the opening of the Hoopster program (the program was formerly known as the Termite Basketball program) March 30.”
Wednesday, Okamoto and the Parks and Recreation staff got help from Kauai High School basketball coach Clyde Vito, also a member of the Parks and Recreation staff, and players Gavin Toyofuku, Jhun Ofrecio, Ridge Serraon, Mikey Manera, and Christian Vito, Clyde’s son.
The theme of the spring break camp was basketball for the nearly 130 students enrolled at both the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center and the Lihue Neighborhood Center.
“This is a great partnership and collaboration,” Okamoto said. “In addition, we have Amalya Sales, a member of the Kauai High School girls basketball program, on staff to help get the kids excited.”
Vito and the Red Raider players broke the field of more than 60 youngsters into four teams — the Green Rattlesnakes, Blue Beasts, Golden Stars, and Black Panthers — who worked through general basketball drills before engaging in a round-robin competition at the courts at Isenberg Park.
During the hydration breaks, the spring break kids were given demonstrations on dunking by the Red Raider players.
“This is part of creating the excitement,” Okamoto said. “They never get to see the players do these feats. It’s something they only see on TV, and to watch their excitement is demonstration on the effectiveness of the program.”
The Hoopster program will start with games on March 30 at the Kalaheo Neighborhood Center and continue for five weekends, interrupted on April 6 when the county hosts the annual Mayor’s Age Group Track Meet at Vidinha Stadium.
“This is about having fun and getting physical activity,” Okamoto said.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
