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COUNT OF HA6`�A 6
December 1, 2023l073 DEC -II AN
I am writing in support of the Hawaii County Council's ordinance to name the
ballfield at the Dr. Francis F.C. Wong stadium in the Ho'olulu Complex the
"James "Jimmy" Correa Ballfield" in honor of James "Jimmy" Correa.
I had the privilege of playing baseball for Uncle Jimmy at St. Joseph's High
School in 1959 and 1960. Later in the 1980's , I assisted him in coaching youth
baseball in Hilo and varsity baseball at St. Joseph's High School. All of our home
games were played at the Ho'olulu Complex, known as Ho'olulu Park at the time.
While he was a man of few words, his teaching and.mannerisms reflected a
knowledge of baseball that, to me, was unsurpassed by anyone on the island of
Hawaii. Uncle Jimmy volunteered his time and effort for the good of baseball
and the development of youth who played for him. He taught not only good
baseball fundamentals and strategies, but also how to live life both on and off
the the baseball field. He demanded sportsmanship and fair play by all who
came in contact with him.
Together with Uncle Jimmy and many friends and former players of his, we
formed the Big Island Umpires Group and umpired games for the Hilo Senior
League, the AJA League and the Hilo Vulcans Baseball home games. And all of
this was done, not for enrichment, but to support the sport of baseball on the
the island. All of this was at the Ho'olulu Park Complex in Hilo.
During all of this, Jimmy gave unselfishly, not only his time, but money for
supplies and equipment for anyone who needed help. I say this with first-hand
knowledge. When I played baseball in high school, my parents did not have
money to buy cleats for my brother and I. Jimmy Correa provided, not only for
my brother and I, but also for other team members. In all of my experiences with
Jimmy, he has always displayed a generosity far-surpassing his means when it
came to the sport of baseball and the development of youth in the sport.
Coach Correa was a fixture at the Ho'olulu Park baseball field for much of his
adult life. With all of his accomplishments in the sport of baseball, his name has
become synonymous with baseball on the island of Hawaii and especially the
Hilo area. Naming the baseball field at the Ho'olulu Complex after Jimmy Correa
would be an honor to him and his family that is well-deserved.
Paul N. Pakele, Jr.
45-3686 Olopua Place
Honokaa, HI 96727
(808)987-7731
Comm. 5;�� .
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Ref. Dote nEC - 5 2023