HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0033.001 1998-2000 December 24, 1998
RECEIVED '
QPtR..~k~T a$ i 9-~._~_
County Council ~
Hawaii County Council
c/o Mt. Dominic Yagong
25 Aupuni St.
Hilo, HI 96720
Deaz Council Members:
It has come to my attention that a county developed swimming pool is about to be or has been
completed in the Kona area. I understand that some individuals have expressed interest in the
naming of that swimming pool to honor Yoshi Oyakawa, a gold medalist in the 1952 Olympics in
Helsinki, Fintand, competitor in the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, a national collegiate
champion and a former captain of the Ohio State University swim team. I highly support this
move and ask for your support is naming the pool, the "Yoshi Oyakawa Swimming Pool."
Yoshi and I were classmates through the years at Kalanianaole School and through Hilo High
school. A quiet and unassuming boy, little did we think that he would one day even compete in
the Olympics let alone win a gold medal. We were awaze, however, that he trained regulazly after
school as we always saw his father driving him off to swim practice. I visited Yoshi in Cincinnati
the summer of 1997. Throughout his teaching career, he coached students in swimming and
now as a retiree he still worksout regularly at the "Y"swim pool and competes and places in
national seniors swim competitions.
Perhaps you might say that he has not brought his service back here to our island, however, just as
Ellison Onizuka has inspired local children to 'reach for the stars', Yoshi's achievements can
inspire local children to 'reach for the gold (or even silver or bronze)'. Yoshi didn't have the
Olympic sized Kawamoto Swimming Pool to train in. He trained at the NAS swinuning pool
while he lived on this island. Also, it was mentioned to me that Yoshi was bom in Holualoa,
Kona. On his visit here two yeazs ago he went to Kona and took cone- or two-mile swim out of
Kailua.
Naming the new pool "Yoshi Oyakawa Swimming Pool" would be an honor for Yoshi -but more
than that it could promote the sport [o a more serious level -inspiring youngsters to swim not just
for fun but for achieving great heights in this sport. Swim training for the Triathalon, getting
swimming scholarships to colleges, experiencing national competitions, and of course, competing
in the Olympics are reachable goals for ow youngsters.
I humbly ask for your consideration in the naming of the new swimming pool in Kona the "Yoshi
Oyakawa Swimming Pool". Thank you.
(Very Truly Yours,
Masne~
dO
Retired Dept. of Education Specialist
276 Anela Street
Hilo, HI 96720 ~ ,3. O I
Cooom. No. A
File No. PR~
t~et ~Presentad PWPC