HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0033.002 1998-2000 i r~
Hawaii County Council '
25 Aupuni Street
Hilo, Hawaii 96720 1 January 1999
Dear Councilmembers,
Once there was a boy who was born and raised in Holualoa overlooking the sea. He teamed
to swim in the waters off the Kailua-Kona pier. Since his father was aJapanese-Christian minister
serving the poor plantation communities on the Big Island, the family eventually moved to Papaikou.
The boy swam competitively under Coach Sparky Kawamoto at the old windy and cold Hilo Swim
Club pool by the airport and graduated from Hilo High School. in the 1952 Olympic Games in Hel-
sinki, Finland, the now young man from the Big Island, Yoshinobu Oyakawa, won the Gold Medal
and broke the Olympic record In the 100 meter backstroke. He had come a long way from Kona.
I've had the honor of knowing Yoshi for nearly 50 years and once swam on a relay team with
him. He has always been one of the nicest and most unassuming guys in the world.
Soon the Council will be naming the new swim pool the Kona community has been looking
forward to with great anticipation. What greater honor for Kona and the Big Island than to have this
pool named after one of its own sons who brought glory and pride to all of us? Perhaps the great
accomplishments of Yoshi Oyakawa will even inspire a future Olympic champion to rise from the
waters of Kona.
Aloha,
~~~G~C,
iki
76-6342 Kololia Street
Kailua-Kona, 96740
Ph. 329-8013
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