Keo Nakama Invitational

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Welcome to the 62nd Annual Keo Nakama Invitational

July 2- 4, 2010 Veterans’ Memorial Aquatic Center

The Keo Nakama Swimming Invitational is the oldest swim meet in Hawaii. Established over half a century ago by legendary coach Soichi Sakamoto, it continuously draws the best teams in the country, and from overseas, who wish to combine a great swimming experience and a magnificent vacation in beautiful Hawaii. This meet is USS sanctioned and is held at the Central Oahu Regional Park Aquatics Center. The swim meet is named after Hawaii’s most well know swimmer, Keo Nakama. State Anthem Hawai‘i Pono‘ï

Hawai‘i pono‘ï Hawaii’s own true sons Nänä i kou mö‘ï Be loyal to your chief Ka lani ali‘i, Your country’s liege and lord Ke ali‘i The chief

Hui: Chorus: Makua lani ë, Royal father Kamehameha ë, Kamehameha Na kaua e pale, Shall defend in war Me ka ihe With spears

Hawai‘i pono‘ï Hawaii’s own true sons Nänä i nä ali‘i Look to your chief Nä pua muli kou Those chiefs of younger birth Nä pöki‘i Younger descent

Hawai‘i pono‘ï Hawaii’s own true sons E ka lähui e People of loyal heart ‘O käu hana nui The only duty lies E u‘ië List and abide Hawaii Swimming Club Welcomes you all to the 62nd Keo Nakama Invitational

We welcome everyone and thank you for joining us this year for the 62nd Annual Keo Nakama Invitational Swimming & Diving meet. This year, for the first time in a long time, we are including diving as part of our meet. We hope you will get a chance to watch some of that competition.

It is our pleasure to host this meet and to continue the legacy, which was started by our Head Coach, Soichi Sakamoto. If you had the opportunity to see the Honolulu Theatre for Youth presentation of “The Three Year Swim Club,” by Lee A. Tonouchi, a good part of that play was based on the very stories contained in our booklet. We hope you will enjoy reading the stories of Keo Nakama. Envision in your mind what athletes of that time had to endure to accomplish their goals and fulfill their dreams. Then continue to strive and reach your own goals. Graduating seniors, take some of that endurance and grit along with you when you head off to college.

We would like to thank our HSC parents and the sponsors of this event. Without you, we would not be able to host this meet. Your support, dedication and hard work are appreciated more than words can say.

To the lifeguards, maintenance staff and pool manager Glenn Pang, we appreciate all you do to provide the swimming community with a first rate swimming facility.

Thank you to the many volunteer officials. Your dedication to the sport of swimming and the swimming program in Hawaii is what allows us all to continue to enjoy that which we take for granted. Without our volunteers, we would have no sport. Thank you!

As Coach Sakamoto would always say on the deck, “Swim swiftly!” Hope you all enjoy a weekend of great competition.

Aloha, Coach Keith Arakaki Hawaii Swimming Club The Veterans’ Memorial Aquatic Center Welcomes the 62nd Keo Nakama Invitational

Aloha and welcome to the Veterans’ Memorial Aquatic Center. The center is a world-class facility that includes a 50-meter pool with electronic touch pads and a diving well with 1- and 3-meter boards. We opened our main entrance to the public on Veterans Day in 2005. The Honorable Mayor Mufi Hannemann dedicated the facility to honor all the men and women who answered the nation’s call to duty, and who selflessly served and sacrificed so our youth could live and play in peace.

This facility was designed to host a variety of local, national and international aquatic sporting events and to be a training site for the community. The facility schedule and public lap swim hours are available on our web site at: www.honoluluparks.com [Locations, Hours and Contact – District V]; or for real-time information on current schedule go to twitter.com enter: vmac96797 in search box.

We would like to welcome all of the swimmers to the 62nd Annual Keo Nakama Invitational Swimming & Diving meet. We are excited for all of you and wish you the best of luck. Please respect the pool rules posted around the pool and have a safe meet.

Mahalo, Glenn Pang, Pool Director How It All Began... by Coach Soichi Sakamoto “Coach, how about inviting Mike Peppe’s perennial collegiate champion Ohio State University’s swimming team for a major meet here ?”

It was Keo Nakama’s wish, following Kahanamoku, Buster Crabbe, and the his return to Honolulu after his grad- Kalili boys. Since the first meet, the uation from the Buckeye Institution, great University of Michigan swim- in 1946, to invite his former team and ming team (coached by now deceased teammates over as an outstanding Matt Mann) was invited to follow its swimming attraction and event. arch-rival here for the second Keo Nakama Meet; again the meet was So, with the help of George Higa held at the Waikiki Natatorium. (owner of the Honolulu Cafe at that time) and sports promoter Ralph Yem- Thereon, some of the world’s greatest puku (a bosom friend of George), the swimmers made their appearances here first Keo Nakama Swimming Meet from 1948-1972. Included among them was held at the famous Waikiki War were: Japan’s great Furuhashi (who Memorial Natatorium. blazed the trail in swimming the 1500 meters below the 19 minute barrier); tainment, synchronized swimming Up to the inaugural meet, Keo had Masao Furukawa (the 1956 Olympic and water ballet, clown diving, swim- captained some of the greatest cham- breaststroke gold medalist); and Shiro ming exhibitions (Johnny Weismuller pionship teams at his Alma Mater; Hashizumi; Australia’s Jon Henricks and Duke Kahanamoku), and the in addition, he was the University's (the 100 meter freestyle champion in presence and appearance of movie baseball captain in his final year. 1956). Among the United States’ cream stars – Edward G. Robinson, John of the crop swimmers and divers were: Wayne and Danny Kaye. Caroline The visiting Buckeyes team consisted Chris Von Saltzer (1960-1964 Olympic Kennedy also was present when she of some of the nation’s outstanding great); Pat McCormick and Sammy Lee was 9 years old. swimmers and champions including (Olympic diving champions 1948, Jim Counselman (present coach of In- 1952, 1956 respectively); Barbara Strak The Keo Nakama Meets were staged diana University); Halo Hirose, Keo’s (another backstroke star); Bumpy Jones at the Waikiki War Memorial’s 100 former teammate; Al Wiggins; and (University of Michigan’s great IM meter pool. It was changed on two oc- Jack Hill, the great middle distance Swimmer); Bill Yorzyk (American casions to a 50 meter pool with bulk- champion. butterfly champ); George Breen (Coach head. During those years, the meets Counselman’s U.S. distance titalist); were held for two weeks, one in the 50 Keo and I pondered on a appropriate Frank McKinney (Indiana’s twice 2nd meter pool at Farrington High School name for the meet. I settled on the place winner in the 1956 and 1960 and Kaimuki High School. idea that we should perpetuate his Olympics); Shelly Mann (Washington, name since he had done so fabulously D.C.’s U.S. butterfly gold medalist); Attendance wise, the earliest Keo with his swimming exploits here Gail Peters (perennial winner in Na- Nakama Meets, were paid admission, and in college. I wanted the “Keo tional championship); and many others. were outstanding as the permanent Nakama Swimming Meet” to be a and temporary bleachers were packed reminder that it was Keo, more than From 1948-1972 the Keo Meets were solid with standing room only. anyone else during his time, who had filled with pageantries and they in- brought about the renaissance of cluded parades, Queen of the Meet, Hawaii will long remember Casey swimming to Hawaii when it was at a Royal Hawaiian Band, military Nakama, a combination athlete – a standstill following the days of Duke bands, Hawaiian music and enter- swimmer and a baseball player! Records and Titles for Hall of Fame Swimmer KEO NAKAMA

• World Record...One Mile 20:29.00 • 5 Pan American Games Titles • 8 Big Ten Titles • 13 NCAA and AAU Titles • 5 Australian National Titles • 1943 Big Ten Swim Champs, Swim Team Captain for Ohio State U. • 1944 Big Ten Baseball Champs, Baseball Team Captain for Ohio State U. • First person to swim the Molokai (Kaiwi) Channel. Year: 1961 Age: 41. Approximate distance of 32 Miles

NCAA Men's Swimming Champions PAN AMERICAN SWIMMING http://hickoksports.com/history/ncaamswim.shtml CHAMPIONSHIPS: 1940 (5 golds)

440-Yard Freestyle AUSTRALIAN NATIONALS: 1939 1943 Keo Nakama, Ohio State 4:43.2 (5 titles: all freestyle events, 330 yd 1944 Keo Nakama, Ohio State 4:47.0 individual medley)

1500-Meter Freestyle U.S. NATIONALS: 27 titles (110yd to 1500m) 1943 Keo Nakama, Ohio State 19:18.6 1944 Keo Nakama, Ohio State 20:02.2 WORLD RECORDS: extended from mile at New Haven at age 22 to 27-mile Molokai Swimming Hall of Fame Channel at age 41. http://www.hickoksports.com/history/iswimhof.shtml Nakama, Keo USA 1975 http://starbulletin.com/97/07/03/sports/story1.html http://www.ishof.org/HonorUSA.html Nakama, Keo (1975) Swimmer, USA Waikiki Natatorium Hosts the 1st Keo Nakama Swim Invitational

Hawaii’s 1921 Territorial Legislature funds construction of the living Memo- rial with its 100 X 40 meter saltwater swimming pool was built to honor 101 who died and the nearly 10,000 others who served in WWI from Hawaii with $250,000.

Opened on August 24, 1927, the birthday of Olympic Gold Medalist and god- father of modern surfing, Duke Kahanamoku, who dives in for the first cere- monial swim before a cheering, capacity crowd. During its heyday, the Natatorium hosts celebrity swimmers including Esther Williams, Buster Crabbe The Natatorium, circa 1928. and Johnny Weissmuller as well as some 34 members of the International Swimming Hall of Fame. It is later also used by the DOE for its mandatory elementary school Learn to Swim Program. Hawaii's last Olympic swimmer learned to swim at the Natatorium.

Owned by the State but operated under and executive order by the City, the Natatorium is closed in 1979 due to thirty years of neglect. Prior to its closure in 1979, the last recorded public investment in capital maintenance was $100,000 in 1949.

On both the National and State Registers of Historic Places. Named to the Na- San Souci, circa 1930. tional Trust for Historic Preservation’s II Most Endangered list in 1995. In 1997 the same team that designed the highly successful Ko‘olina Swimming La- goons completes an exhaustive study of coastal conditions, structural integrity and construction alternatives. After considering everything from removal to modifications to full restoration, the State concludes that complete restoration with a re-engineered pool is the most sensible option. The re-designed pool would be Hawaii’s only fully ADA-accessible saltwater swimming venue with lifts for wheelchair-bound swimmers to enter the pool.

(Photos courtesy of the Hawaii State Archives). Swimmers diving off the floatiing deck. Keo Nakama

It all started in the irrigation ditch in their crazy antics and races were com- School, which had never won a Maui Puunene, a good eighteen years back mon occurrences and almost proved to School Swimming championship up when the little boys in their knee pants be a nuisance to those who lived near till then, finally began to win victory used to jump in the running water to the ditch. Already these teenagers after victory to be come peerless swim, play tag and dive for objects. were beginning to sense the superior among the school boy ranks. And among these youngsters tadpol- seed and endurance of those within ing around in the often filthy water their midst. They began to name and Later while at Maui High School, the were boys who were later to become pick them on their sides to strengthen up and coming nators began to make America’s outstanding mermen and whatever team they organized to themselves felt throughout the territory champions. race against each other. Keo Nakama, as Keo won the 500 yard freestyle race Halo Hirose, Asagi Honda, Sammy and broke the existing criterion of 6:07 Keo Nakama, the eldest of the Nakasone, Jose Balmores, Emerick plus and Halo swam the 220 yard Nakama family of three boys includ- Ishikawa, and Hisashi Yamada were freestyle event in 2:22 plus. This starting Bunmei Nakama, who later be- names that began to become more and ed the ball rolling for the duo, but it come a champion himself, used to more popular in these kid-races. was not until that great day when Keo, sandwich a cool plunge in the ditch who was sixteen years of age chal- between his endless tasks of helping lenged and vanquished the Olympic his mother with her work around the tested Ralph Gilman in the 400 meter household. But before this happened, race, did the world know that here at Keo’s mother did everything around last was a real champion who could the house to bring up the young boys’ take the place of Hawaii’s swimming midst humble means. And as the greats like Duke Kahanamoku. Later mother stated in one of her favorite in the 200 meter freestyle race against sayings, “I had to let Keo alone crying the great Olympic champion, Jack in his crib as I was too busy with my Medica, our pair finished second and Keo Nakama and Halo Hirose work, and because of this, my son third with Keo taking the silver medal developed such a thing as will power, Nearby was Puunene School which for his great work. After this great race strength and tenacity. In addition to Keo and his friends attended and it Jack Medica stated, “These boys are this he suffered a lot as he grew up and was here they started themselves in a already fit for topnotch competition. was constantly working to help me regular unit for competition against with my chores.” boys of other schools on Maui. The They ought to go to the National meets regularly scheduled kids’ and school on the Mainland.” This statement Swimming was just one of those swimming meets under the sponsor- proved very true as Keo placed second natural things that the ditch boys ship of the Alexander House Commu- in the one mile, 800 meter and 400 me- indulged in besides playing marbles, nity Association of Maui gave the ter races while Halo finished second in cowboy and Indian, and baseball in boys the necessary impetus and chal- the 200 meter event to Adolph Kiefer. which young Keo began to show lenge to test their mettle against out- This happened in the 1938 Men’s Out- much promise. Up-stream and down- side competition. By this time, Keo door National Swimming Meet at stream went the close-to-the nature had grown to about twelve years of Louisville, Kentucky. paddlers and this helped to develop age and he and Halo Hirose began to their arm and leg power beyond what thunder their way to victories in all of In 1939 at Detroit, Michigan, right ordinary pool-swimming would give. their Maui Kid races. The closest race after Keo’s triumphant and memo- And mixed in with their ordinary fun- was in the 100 yard freestyle in which rable swimming trip to Australia, swimming, the gang as they called both boys competed. The final result young Nakama won his first National themselves, swam in the never-to- was never decided until the last foot or crown in the 200 meter freestyle event be-forgotten ditch races. The familiar two as either one could do around a and placed second in the 400 and 800 yells and screams that accompanied minute flat for the distance. Puunene meter races to the champion Ralph Flanagan. It was the first National Then at the National Outdoor Swim- team championship for Maui. ming Championships at St. Louis, Mis- souri, our fast recovering swimmer At Santa Barbara, California the next proved that he was still the great cham- year, Keo lost his crown in the event pion by annexing the 1500 meter and that he won in 1938 to the great Otto 800 meter crowns, and coming second Jaretz. The Valley Islander, who rep- to Bill Smith in the 400 meter race. He resented the Alexander House Com- tied with Jose Balmores and Bill Smith munity Association, vindicated him- for the high point swimmer of the meet. self by winning his races in the 400 Once again the outstanding perform- meter and 800 meter freestyle events ances of our young star brought back to win two National Championship the third team title in a row for the Val- crowns. These great performances ley Island and Alexander House Com- paved the way for the second in a row munity Association. team title for Maui. 1941 proved to be the greatest year for 1940 was not very bright for young young Nakama as he performed his Keo as he underwent an operation for greatest swimming feat by establishing appendicitis and everything appeared a world’s record of 20 minutes 29 sec- gloomy for him as far as swimming onds in the one mile swim and being was concerned. However, the big out-touched by Bill Smith when he too Hawaiian Outdoor Swimming Cham- made a world’s record of 9 minutes pionship Meet was just about three 54.6 seconds in the 880 yard freestyle adopted while playing base ball) home, months after the operation and follow- race at New London, Con cut. and since then he has hung up his fa- ing his doctor’s permission, Nakama miliar trunks but still takes an active in- started preparing for the big event. He 1942 on to 1945 Keo heralded as the terest in his beloved sport as a very ca- proved himself fit and as good as ever greatest Buckeye swimmer and he was pable official. Today, Hawaii wants to when he swam the best 400 meter race honored by becoming captain of his remember and commemorate the great in his life in which he did a 4:46.8 to team in 1944 and 1945. Inter-colle- athlete from Puunene, Maui and keep place second to the scintillating star giate championships became a byword him close to its heart as one who had Bill Smith, who won it in the record with the Mauian as he was king of the done much for Hawaii’s sake through time of 4:44.8. 1500 meter and 400 meter events his never-to-be-forgotten feats in the throughout his college water and for his great sports like con- years. 1945 saw Keo not duct out of the water. For this, the Keo only a swimmer but he Nakama Meet was inaugurated to per- played and captained his petuate the name of Hawaii’s great ath- Ohio State baseball lete. Last year, Ohio State – Keo’s alma team. Keo’s second love, mater was invited to take part in the baseball, began to creep first meet, and this year University of up on him and he could- Michigan will be our guests. n’t resist the temptation of the diamond game. This article was taken from the “Second Annual” Keo Nakama Swimming Invita- Following graduation, tional, August 20–31 1947. Yes, the meet was 7 days long —trials finals!!! The Sec- Hawaii beckoned Casey ond Annual Keo Nakama Swimming Meet (a name which Keo 1939 Keo Nakama with Uke and group Congratulations to all of our Graduating Seniors.

Kiana White Hawaii Swimming Club Mililani High School Lindenwood University at St. Charles, Missouri

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ELBRIDGE W. SMITH SMITH HIMMELMANN, AAL, ALC TOPA Financial Center, Suite 311 745 Fort Street, Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Tel: 808-523-5050 MEMBER [email protected] www.shlaw.us The Molokai Channel By Lin Clark HSN Assistant Editor

Both Nakama and Hirose went on to win several individual and team All Hawaii is proud of you, Keo Nakama. honors under Ohio State University You and your spirit and your strength have given us all a thrill Coach Mike Peppe, during WWII, that goes far beyond the automatic burst of pride in a victor. But it is believed that the war and You have reminded us all what man can do if he has a mind to. subsequent cancellation of the ’40 Sometimes in these dark days of world danger when awesome Olympics was the only factor that forces threaten, we tend to forget what a man is, how he is, what kept them from winning Olympic swimming medals. he can do. You have refreshed our memory. Your triumph over the Molokai Channel is our triumph, too. In 1943 the Buckeyes were greeted Thank you for that, Keo Nakama. We all needed it. by jeers and snide remarks at the Na- tional Indoor Championships at Yale University for entering a certain fresh man of Japanese ancestry. We were at ……So read a note of appreciation which appeared in the Monday, Oct. 2, 1961 war with Japan. Coach Peppe stood editorial section of the Honolulu Advertiser. up and told the crowd that Ohio State has only Americans on this team and From 1930, Keo Nakama was a 41-year-old physical education instructor at our American-Japanese boy swims. William Paul Jarrett Inter ate School. The 5-6, 145 pound swimmer hadn’t competed since winning 13 National AAU championships between 1939-45. The crowd cheered the favored Yale swimmer, Renee Choteau, when he What drew over 10,000 spectators and well-wishers to the beach and cliffs stood up on his block. When little surrounding Hanauma Bay on Friday evening, Sept. 29, 1961 was history in the Nakama took his place the crowd was making. Nakama had tackled the 27-mile Kaiwi (Molokai) Channel and would deafeningly silent. emerge from the water 15 hours and 37 seconds after diving in near Laau Point on Molokai. Choteau caught Nakama at the 350 mark of that 400, but Nakama – not But what awed the entire state of Hawaii was something more. It was that some- to be denied–pulled ahead in the last thing Nakama tried to instill in the Island youngsters he came in contact with five yards to win the event. The as a teacher, swim coach and softball coach. That even those goals which crowd, realizing here was a man seemed in able can be achieved through the proper dedication, preparation and worth of his Japanese-American title, effort. Kiyoshi (later “Keo”) “Casey” Nakama began his legendary swimming gave Nakama a standing ovation. career in the Hawaiian. Nakama had shown a lot of people Commercial & Sugar Company irrigation ditches in Puunene, Maui under the that day that anyone – even the Ori- tutelage of Hall of Famer coach Soichi Sakamoto. Sakamoto had started with a ental son of an immigrant plantation small group of youngsters – including Nakama’s sprint running-mate Takashi worker – can become anyone he (Halo) Hirose – which grew to over 100 boys and girls. wants to,provided he is willing to work hard at it and be proud of what The plantation allowed Sakamoto to move his entourage to the new Frank F. he is. Baldwin Memorial Park Pool where, in 1937, “The Maui 3-Y.S.C.” (Three- Year Swimming Club) was born. From 1930-1941 the 3-Y.S.C.s won three It’s a philosophy Nakama has carried AAU men’s outdoor teams championships, but their real goal was the 1940 with him wherever he has ventured. Olympics. And after winning 27 National cham- front was a shark cage towed by one of several accompanying sampans and pionships, obtaining his master’s de- cabin cruisers. Forty-three men in all came across the Channel with Nakama. gree from Ohio State, and returning to Hawaii two years later to teach and At times other swimmers joined Nakama – for short period of time – to pace him. to coach high school swimming at Farrington, Leilehua, McKinley and One hour out, Nakama became sick when a glassy sea turned to rough open later at UH. Nakama didn’t abandon ocean and he lost Thursday evening’s steak dinner. For a short time he entered that philosophy. the shark cage to recover, then re-entered the water.

In fact, it was that notion of believing Twice more he was sick and felt nauseated until he was stung on the arms and in oneself that was most responsible torso by a man-o’-war.” The stings made me forget I was seasick. I thought for pushing Nakama across that about all the work my friends had done and how they believed I could do it. I Channel – even after others, includ- kept going.” ing Greta Andersen, the Danish-born channel swimmer – had failed. After several course changes and some “feedings” of tea and orange juice (with honey), and more man-o’-war stings, Nakama came within view of Oahu. He The whole idea of tackling a channel ordered his crew to “put on some steam.” By 1 p.m. five-foot swells were push- crossing came from buddies at the ing Nakama toward Hanauma Bay. “I swam for what seemed like hours and the “Y”, and it started as a joke. “I had let mountains of O‘ahu didn’t come any closer.” Nakama recalled. “ I was sure myself get out of shape and my doc- somebody was moving those mountains back.” tor told me to exercise more, so I joined the YMCA,” Nakama related. At about 4:20 a strong current did start to push him back. After a double dose “It was there that my racquetball bud- of the orange mixture he pushed stubbornly on. dies started telling me that I could do it. Greta Andersen had tried two times Finally, at 6:33 p.m., after negotiating the coral reef inside the bay, Nakama earlier that year, so it was on eve walked ashore, looking a little bewildered and smiling shyly. He looked more one’s mind. The joke turned serious as if he’d just finished a leisurely afternoon swim than a grueling 35- mile (ac- and I finally decided to try it.” tual distance covered) channel crossing.

So Nakama increased his training Throngs of people swarmed around him –almost disqualifying his effort be- regimen, enlisted the help of a few fore he reached the designated finish line. They screamed and reached out to friends and dove into (so to speak) him, yelling congratulations. the seemingly impossible. “I made it Mama,” he said to his wife, Evelyn, as she draped a lei around his The event entailed a great deal of neck and hugged him. His six daughters, also bearing leis, struggled through the planning: Bill Chung and Tom Higa crowd to join him. co-chaired a committee to sponsor Nakama; experienced fishermen and Nakama recalled he was “kind of tired, but wise I felt real good.” Asked by a divers familiar with existing currents reporter if he wanted to repeat the feat, he’d replied, “No, I don’t think so. were recruited; Capt. Tommy Akana That's the last time I swim that one.” charted the course and Dr. Coolidge S. Wakai prepared a high protein con- Nakama’s mentor, Coach Soichi Sakamoto, wasn’t surprised by his protege’s centrate for Nakama’s meals in route. milestone: “When he made up his mind to do it, I knew he could.” he said sim- After one postponement due to unfa- ply. “In all his years of competitive swimming, he always accomplished what- vorable currents Nakama plunged ever goal he set.” into the water at 3 a.m. Friday, Sept 29. All paddling surfboards, Allen WHAT’S MORE: Nakama, who picked up the nickname “Casey” since he Chang, Sodie Kabalis, Marco No- never struck out on the Buckeye base ball team, is still active in the mura and D. Kaeo provided an escort Kawananakoa Softball League and assists the Detroit Tigers as a local talent on either side and behind Nakama. In scout. Nakama: Recalling the Crossing, the Man behind It

I Still Call Him Coach By K. Arakaki

1959, I was 8 years old. I had taken Molokai Channel. This came shortly swimming lessons for a year or so at after Greta Andersen tried unsuccess- Central YMCA. I wanted to join the fully to swim the channel, twice. swimming team there because my older brother was swimming. I remember going down to Ala Moana shopping center and watching Ms. My mom knew the coach there and Anderson swim back and forth in a introduced me to him. “His birthday portable swimming pool. ( I remember is the same day as yours”, she said. when there was no Ala Moana shop- “May 21st.” ping center, and only a heap of coral.)

The beginning of my swimming career At a point of time before the 1961 May 21, 2007, 86 years old Keo Nakama was a blur. Coach Nakama was teach- and Matthew Arakaki Molokai crossing, Mr Ida and Mr ing us the butterfly with a breaststroke Richards (parents turned assistant kick one week (Orthodox Breast- ters Karen & Kaycee, they got long coaches) took over the team to free stroke), then the next week he taught nails,” some one yelled. up Coach Nakama’s personal training us the dolphin kick. Then we could mix time. Coach was getting more intense up the dolphin and breast kick, then we Speaking of daughters, Coach has six now. We would see him running couldn’t do anything but the fly kick. of them. Karen, Kaycee, Terry, Joey, longer around the track and do a Flip turn with butterfly. Touch the wall Lynn and Jamie. Counting his wife, swim workout twice a day. on your free turn, then we didn’t have that’s seven women and just him. My to touch the wall. If that wasn’t con- mom always told Coach if he wanted The day Coach swam the channel, I fusing enough, I had to stay out of my a boy she would give me away. “No was glued to the radio. The swim brothers way in the water. He would way, not a house full of girls!” I seemed to be going ok, then in the push off into me or swim right over changed my perspective as I got older. late afternoon, the radio announcer me. Coach Nakama, meanwhile, was said that “Keo was having trouble in very patient, knowledgeable and fair. Coach really cared. At a swim meet the water” speculation was he would at Palama Settlement, he lined up all be pulled out and equated his efforts My first trip with the swimming team 30 swimmers, and gave us all a fast to Greata Andersen’s failed attempts. took us to the Island of Kauai. Coach and brisk massage to limber us up for Nakama had a big meeting with the the event. “If any thing, this will help Then Coach Nakama made a Her- swimmers and parents. Something your swim, keep loose,” he said. culean effort to finish the swim. We was said about selling cookies and were down at Hanauma Bay with what sending postcards to all the people From Central Y Swim Club we seemed like hundreds and thousands that we sold cookies to, to let them changed our name to Waikiki Athletic of people. They were lined up along know how we did at the swimming Club. I think WAC, sponsored us in the walkway and the parking lots were meet. He was a caring coach. our swimming program. overflowing. “Wow, mom, how are we going to see Coach come in?” I don’t remember the swim meet Then a strange thing happened. Coach specifically, but I do remember wak- started running around the Central The swim team had a banner con- ing up early to find Coach cooking “Y” field. Around and around. When gratulating Coach. Some of the breakfast for 30 – 40 of us swimmers! he got off the field he told us that he swimmers met, but we never saw Bacon & eggs. He must’ve been had already swam 5-6,000 kilometers him. Later that evening, we all did get cooking since 4:00 AM. in the morning. Wow!!! to see him come in, on the television! As a swimmer, that was pretty much Coach taught us how to play water Shortly there after, he announced to the last time I saw Coach Nakama. polo. “Look out for Coach’s daugh- the team that he was going to swim the Then there was talk of folding up the this article was taken from the

OHIO NEWS BUREAU, INC., CLEVELAND, OHIO; club and how we would be farmed SEPTEMBER 13, 1943 out to our “Parent” club... Hawaii Swimming Club.

“My swimming coach, was Coach Kio Nakama, O.S.U. Swim Champ Sakamoto,” Coach Nakama said. “He Saves Life of Sailor ! taught me how to swim fast and he can help you.” “I would like all of Columbus, Ohio, September 13 – “They also serve who only stand you to swim for him and represent and wait.” Hawaii Swimming Club.” First spoken by a blind poet more than 300 years ago it has rever- Aside from coaching at Farrington berated down the halls of time but never more vividly recalled than and Leilehua High School he was a few days ago on the Ohio State campus by a little Hawaiian boy the coach at McKinley High School. thousands of miles away from his homeland. McKinley High School, under his direction, won the Territorial Champi- It all started a little more than a year ago when Kio Nakama, a onships over Kaimuki High School, member of the Ohio State Varsity swimming team and one of the by a few points he said. But we were greatest natators in the country was rejected by the Army because his only age group team he had ever of flat feet. coached. Dejected, downhearted and lonesome, little Kio threw himself into My brief experience with Coach is his school work in an effort to forget his disappointment. Major- one I’ll cherish forever! ing in physical education the youngster started his pratice teaching. He volunteered to help teach swimming to the Navy Recognition He was a guiding light for me and school students. showed me how to persevere. How to set goals and do my best to accom- Kio asked for the hard cases. Men who couldn’t swim a stroke plish them. He gave me a chance to were turned over to him for instruction, all part of his practice be successful. teaching. I still call him Coach. One case in particular claimed his attention. A young lieutenant from Princeton not only could not swim but held a strong antipa- thy toward water. He was assigned to Nakama for instruction. The author of this article now coaches the Weeks and weeks of work followed. Patient, painstaking work. Parent team, Hawaii Swimming Club, and Hour after hour in the pool but at last the lieutenant mastered the took Coach Nakama’s advice to coach technique. Hawaii Swim Club with the guidance of the heart. Came graduation from the Recognition School the lieutenant was assigned to the Helena, everyone by this time knows the fate of that ship.

Came a letter a few days ago from the lietenant to one of his in- structors: “tell the little Hawaiian boy I was in the water for more than an hour and with his patient teaching I wouldn't be writing this letter. He saved my life.” Sydney Harbour Bridge, Tourism Australia Copyright GROUP SPORT TOUR TO AUSTRALIA FOR UNIVERSITIES, CLUBS AND SCHOOLS

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©iStockphoto.com/strickke ©iStockphoto.com/strickke HAWAII SWIMMING CLUB 62nd ANNUAL KEO NAKAMA SPRINGBOARD DIVING INVITATIONAL MEET JULY 2 - 3, 2010

Friday - July 2, 2010

07:00 a.m. VMAC Opened — Set-up completed

07:30 a.m. Practice starts for 1-Meter Springboard Competition Revision of Dive Sheets 08:00 a.m. No further Dive Sheet revisions will be accepted 08:30 a.m. Practice ends 09:00 a.m. 1-Meter Springboard Competition Starts Level(s) 1 thru 8 Female, then Male 10:30 a.m. 1-Meter Springboard Competition Ends 10:30 a.m. Practice Starts for 3-Meter Springboard Competition Revision of Dive Sheets 10:45 a.m. No further Dive Sheet revisions will be accepted 11:00 a.m. Practice ends 3-Meter Springboard Competition begins Level(s) 1 thru 8 Female, then Male 12:30 a.m. 3-Meter Springboard Competition Ends 02:00 p.m. Clean-up and Closed

Saturday - July 3, 2010

Estimated Time 11:30 a.m. All divers will perform their best dive 1-Meter, then 3-Meter HAWAII SWIMMING CLUB 62nd ANNUAL KEO NAKAMA INVITATIONAL VETERANS’ MEMORIAL AQUATIC CENTER JULY 2 - 4, 2010

SESSION 1 • Friday - July 2, 2010 GIRLS EVENT # DIVISION EVENT BOYS EVENT # 1 OPEN 200 IM 2 3 10 & U 200 IM 4 5 11 - 12 200 IM 6 7 13 - 14 200 IM 8 9 15 - 16 200 IM 10 11 OPEN 100 Free 12 13 10 & U 50 Free 14 15 11 - 12 50 Free 16 17 13 - 14 50 Free 18 19 15 - 16 100 Free 20 21 11 - 12 400 Med Rly 22 23 13 - 14 400 Med Rly 24 25 15 - 16 400 Med Rly 26 27 OPEN 400 Med Rly 28

SESSION 2 • Friday - July 2, 2010 GIRLS EVENT # DIVISION EVENT BOYS EVENT # 29 11 - 12 200 Free Rly 30 31 OPEN 200 Free Rly 32 33 11 - 12 50 Fly 34 35 13 - 14 100 Fly 36 37 15 - 16 100 Fly 38 39 11 - 12 100 Back 40 41 OPEN 100 Fly 42 43 13 - 14 200 Back 44 45 11 - 12 50 Breast 46 47 15 - 16 200 Back 48 49 OPEN 200 Back 50 51 11 - 12 200 Free 52

“In all his years of competitive swimming, Keo Nakama always accomplished whatever goal he set.” SESSION 3 • Saturday - July 3, 2010 GIRLS EVENT # DIVISION EVENT BOYS EVENT # 53 10 & U 200 Free Rly 54 55 13 - 14 200 Free Rly 56 57 15 - 16 200 Free Rly 58 59 10 & U 50 Fly 60 61 13 - 14 100 Breast 62 63 15 - 16 100 Breast 64 65 10 & U 100 Back 66 67 OPEN 100 Breast 68 69 13 - 14 200 Free 70 71 10 & U 50 Breast 72 73 15 - 16 200 Free 74 75 OPEN 200 Free 76 77 10 & U 200 Free 78

SESSION 4 • Sunday - July 4, 2010 GIRLS EVENT # DIVISION EVENT BOYS EVENT # 79 11 - 12 200 Med Rly 80 81 OPEN 200 Med Rly 82 83 11 - 12 100 Fly 84 85 13 - 14 200 Fly 86 87 15 - 16 200 Fly 88 89 11 - 12 50 Back 90 91 OPEN 200 Fly 92 93 13 - 14 100 Back 94 95 11 - 12 100 Breast 96 97 15 - 16 100 Back 98 99 OPEN 100 Back 100 101 11 - 12 100 Free 102 103 13 - 14 400 Free Rly 104 105 11 - 12 400 Free Rly 106

SESSION 5 • Sunday - July 4, 2010 GIRLS EVENT # DIVISION EVENT BOYS EVENT # 107 10 & U 200 Med Rly 108 109 13 - 14 200 Med Rly 110 111 15 - 16 200 Med Rly 112 113 10 & U 100 Fly 114 115 13 - 14 200 Breast 116 117 15 - 16 200 Breast 118 119 10 & U 50 Back 120 121 OPEN 200 Breast 122 123 13 - 14 100 Free 124 125 10 & U 100 Breast 126 127 15 - 16 50 Free 128 129 OPEN 50 Free 130 131 10 & U 100 Free 132 133 15 - 16 400 Med Rly 134 135 OPEN 400 Med Rly 136 Presenting the Athletes: Miet Engelhardt Rey L Cabanilla Angela Flinter Ryan L Cabanilla

Gina C Butler Samantha Fynmore Leo Y Chan Natalie J Butler Tim Gouskov Kevin J Cheng Katie S Dalgamouni Lachlan Iossifidis Ronald Chu Micah K Faurot Zoe Iossifidis Shelby M Cornell Noah H Faurot Alex Kompos Austin D Corpuz Aloha Aquatics, HI Hi‘ilani P Hopkins Phoebe LawlessPyne Jorden D Corpuz Mya R Adams Jaek J Horner Llewellyn Little David K Curiel Liz S Becherer Aaron M Kiyotoki James Margary Jasmin L Curiel Ceci Brezeale Olivia G Klem Anna McEvoy Alex L Daley Emma K Chun Kiana P McDonald Andrew Roberts Dru L Daley Darby Y Davidson Aspen J Morgan Tom Shepard Carson K Davis Patrick L Delos Santos Serena H Myatt Edward Stoios Alannah L Don Jakob J Dewald Nick J Pederson Ruby Stoios Lian T Don Lindsey S Dewald Hallie H Pound Annie WardAmbler Ryan T Drinkward Stephen E Dewald Rachel L Randall William Westaway Colin K Fellezs Sofia L Frasz Alyssa M Reyes Max S Fleischauer Nicole K Halemano Mitch P Richmond Desert Storm Raquel K Foster Swimming, CA Anna L Harder Desiree P Takahama Hiroko D Fraser Alexus K Iaea Josh K Toy Jared K Miao Brooke K Fujihara James M Kaku Kiana M Yamashiro Tyler K Miao Mahea E Gardiner Cassie L Kawamata Nicholas B Zachmeier Jake S Glasgow Erin E McMurdo Hawaii Swim Club, HI Hali‘a D Gora

Rachel M Miyoga Angela I Acosta Kilinoe M Gora Natalie C Moore Kasey L Agena Josette K Gose Fabiene A Palipti Peter J Agustin Micah S Gowen Sarah M Warren Bailey K Akimseu Edan L Grimsley Savanna P Warren Caulfield Grammar Kevin I Arakaki Enki L Grimsley Sean S Yamada School, Australia Shayna M Asuncion Enlil L Grimsley Tobey K Young Georgie Connor Angel M Bacos Prue Cormack Blaze P Baraquio Aulea Swim Club, HI Lachlan Dickie Echo J Baraquio Josh M Bittick Sam Dwyer Emily L Batts Sophia Y Bruno Patrick Eaves Kiarra L Burkitt Kalia K Guillermo Sabado Jessica S Luong Raedyn H Silva La‘akea D Gum Stacia N Malmos Sumin Sung Jessica A Gum Cathlene N Masicampo- Evan S Suzuki Van Ostrand Jayson M Hagi Nikkie M Talion Robby T Masicampo- Kamehameha Brandi L Halemano Van Ostrand Ashley V Vasquez Swim Club, HI Leilani T Herrera Stella K Matthews Ben Wang Kale A AI Corilynn K Higa Molly T McGuire Joanna Wang Ryan D AllenLongfield Kawelu K Higashino Jimmy L McGuire Dariane M Watanabe Anela E Alumbaugh Austin X Hirstein Jack R McGuire Alea M Weber Victor W Alumbaugh Zeheng Huang Michael P McGuire Elizabeth A Wells Noah T Ames Eric Hwangpo Amy Miao Kiana A White Ethan A AustinElbaz Kramer A Ichimura Mazie Miao Tyler K Wong Wesley A Babcock Diamond K Inouye Mikayla K Min Kent S Yamada Dylan R Becker Nicky S Inouye Darah N Miyashita Kyle S Yamada Nicholas M Becker Paris K James Kaylie N Miyashita Grace Yang Kimberlee L Cadell Madeline F Jamora Jordan J Nakao Mari N Yoshimura Krislyn C Cha Cassandra E Jones Naomi K Ng Arthur W Cheung Mika F Kane Nigel K Ng Iolani Swim Club, HI Daren T Choi Amanda W Ki Dana T Okuma Nicholas S Arima Shanelle R Choi Heewoon Kim Megan T Okuma Cagla A Brennan Jeffrey T Collins John C Kim Rysen K Otomo Maximus W Chang Connor R Damaschi Phoebe S Kim Connie Ruan Susan M Hasegawa Steven P Derman Young Jae Kim Teresa Ruan Nathan D Hue Natalie R Fong Joey Kim Emily Ruan Erin M Ibaan Curtis J Frifeldt Mare Kitabayashi Julian L Ruiz Amos J Jun Jason S Frifeldt Drayton B Kollasch Cierra Nicole G Sabado Kelsie C Kodama Kevin D Frifeldt Sheri S Komori Tatum M Samson Rafi S Lee Aukai A Gilliland Zack J Kresge Kanoa Sawai Chase T Nakamura Randi H Gongob Raymond H Lai Vanshj Seth Taryn K Okemura Charlea I Goodness Hyun Woo Lee Zukie Seth Izabella V Sakoda Evan A Hamamoto Joyce H Lee Jamesmichael C Alyssa Y Sasaki Summer A Harrison Sherman-Lewis Jack Lee Hannah S Silva Nainoa N Hartley Johnmartin N Sherman-Lewis Raymond S Li Kyleigh K Takahashi Hanna D Heiss Joyelaine P Sherman-Lewis Kirra P Lindman Camryn J Yee Kayla M Heiss Caitlyn H Shigaki Megan K LuiKwan Robyn M Yim Angela M Huber Leah L Huber Kupa‘a B Naone Kaneohe Swim Manhoben Swim Megan L Hunt Anu H Nihipali Association, HI Club, Guam Chad A Ikegami Chrisitan T Nishimura Esther R Beatty Jacob Bustamante Emma K Jenny Allyson K Ontai Kekai K Davidson Chris Duenas Kacy L Johnson Lance K Ontai Mykah T Fujiwara Tommy Imazu Jared A Jones Danny K Palimoo Moana K Hillen Daraven Perez Jordyn A Jones Maia A Petrides Elizabeth Mueller Amanda Poppe Kaiulani K Kaalekahi Michael T Petrides Devin W Sandoval Santiago Poppe Sara S Kahanamoku-Snelling Donovan R Pope Michael A Schenk Johnny Rivera Kaleikoa K Kaleoaloha Ki‘i K Rea Ryan T Schenk Kanoa K Kaleoaloha Evan T Rosca GaBo G Steele Manoa Aquatics, HI

Devynn M Kaneshiro Ryan K Saunders SeeWah S Steele Chelsea W Chan Catia Marie N Kaniho Corrine Y Shigeta Elijah S Tabar Reverie M Hara Jonah I Kaniho Tomas N Sodini Alex R Yee Dong Hyeon Hwang Dane I Kawamoto Stephanie H Spear Beth M Yee Dong Jin Hwang Noel M Kawano Ryan M Stack Travis S Lau Joshua T Kay Stephanie K Suda Kona Aquatics, HI Jenna Y Morikubo Monica M Kirk Tyler Sugimoto Noe M Vargas Bryce Murley KeikiLani N Knudsen Kira N Terada Jenna A Nishida Vanessa M Kwong Sean K Terada Jonathan Y Oba Braysen K Libed Shandee A Teruya Eric T Park Christopher D Ma Maya N Tigley Yoji Starkey Ka‘ena Y Maeda Kai C Tsubota Skylar M Taba Jasmine K Mau Jacob C Urbano Lynbrook Aquatics, CA Aaron T Wong Gayla M McQuaid Victoria T Wakasa Tehani M Agosto Ky Wong Kristi L McQuaid Ethan A Walter Criselle A Alop Rachel M Wong Megan A Miyahira Rebecca K Walton Kyndra M Alop Christian C Yang Mimi K Moody Jessie K Watkins Samantha M Beck Wyatt H Young Samantha C Moody Alex M Whitfield Casey M Garcia Kevin R Moy Michaela L Whitfield Rachael C Garcia Jaime Ann K Mukai Brent T Yanagihara Michael S Gillis Natsuko R Muranaka Ian K Yanagihara Cody U Porter Kekoa D Nakasone Michelle A Yoshida Jake T Schaffer Mid Cities Arlington Kyle A Nakatsuka Sharon S Young Tomochan T Shellko Swimming, TX

Alika B Naone Bryant H Zeh Derek S TanizakiHudson Tiffani P Tanaka Ka‘ikena B Naone Lani T TanizakiHudson Dayne K Yanai Pearl Harbor Madison Meister Patrick A Lum Aquatics, HI Emily Nakata Robbie Y Mau Athena L Alvarez Melissa Newsham Jonathan T Nishida Olympique de Pirae, Noelle Y Chang Iris Onaka Marc K Okimura Tahiti Samantha M Dammann Perry Onaka Lisa L Owen Keahi Agnieray Sophia E Dammann Maria Parker Rachel L Owen Tearii Cowan Michael J Hampton Rhiann Sato Andrea M Powell Ranihau Doom Alexandra M Huffman Noah Soxpollard Kayla K Rask Kaweinga Hart Addison K Jackson Zack Uchima Savath Saepoo Tunui Nui Ericka L Matulenas Kekoa Vieira Diana M Sellner Maheata Richmond Joshua M Matulenas Edward Weldon Anson K Tam Henere Sommers Audrey M Mumford Nicole Yarbrough Patrick Y Tam Kana M Shake Eiji E Taone Rebekah G Tandberg Rainbow Aquatics, HI Matt M Velasco Conor F Uetz Rachel K Fujita Ashlyn M Witherwax Evan G Fukumoto Cody M Wong-Pascua Pearl City Punahou Aquatics, HI Gail K Fukumoto Aquatics, Inc., HI Jolene E Akasaki Taiga T Hashimoto Schofield Sharks Monique R Duplessis Maddie Balish Jay J Holmes Swim Club, HI Cheyenne A Garcia Luke Boyer Trisha H Ishikawa Mary Helen H Gustafson Frankie F Gilliland III Ella Copp Alex A Henderson Kylie K Hong Noa Copp Sophie L Henderson Lesley K Hong Leia Deer Alec H Lee Dustin N Ikeda Anna Deryck Madeline C Lee Kristi N Ikeda Sean Deryck Akira Kanamaru Adam R McKittrick Kayla S Ippongi Lia Foster Grant E Kaneshiro Taylor R McKittrick Tyra E Ippongi Jake Gaughan Shireen S Kheradpey Aimee M Iwamoto Elan Giddings Rainer A Kiessling South Maui Sharks, HI

Reyna A Iwamoto Ashlee Grover Robbie B Kiessling Alex T Armstrong Erika T Kakazu Alvin Lai Roxy R Kiessling Trini J Martinez-Grim Tahni M Kakazu Justin Lee Ruddy T Kiessling Erica A Sawczynec Natda Luangkhot Brandon Leong Esther Kim Stephen Park Gregory Loui Bobby Ky Charlene A Rivers Kaiko Manson Carolyn Li Dawson J Sloan Kelly Marshall Kevin Liu Matthew A Taira Jacqueline Mash Andrew P Lum Splash Aquatics, Michael T Sakai Aja O Grande Superior Stingray Inc., HI Hayato Shigihara Katherine F Guevara Swimming, OR Joseph N Ahia Bryce K Tanaka Kimi T Guevara Alyse P Darnall Jennifer Y Chung Jaycie A Tanaka Jarrell N Hibler Taiyo Endo Caitlyn C Whang Albert M Lee Tarakito Swim Club, Kate S Fujii Jun Yeub Yoon Kaya M Lee Guam Shawn J Fujii Toby R Yoshida Walter M Lee Justin Fell Shaye Demi R Ganuelas Ciera M Young Aukai A Lileikis Diego Shimizu ErikaAnn F Kim Grant C Zukeran Nohea M Lileikis AJ Sholing Logan E Kim Gregory C Zukeran Kara J Machida Kelcie E Kimura Victoria K Zukeran Kenji M Mori Unattached Iolani, HI

Sydney M Kimura Katie M Woo Shawmasama Chun Jonathan S Magota Sunshine Aquatics Zack Y Woo Eryn N Nakashima Swim Club, HI Michaela M Yamashita Unattached, HI Lauryn M Nakashima Taylor N Bogdahn Senil Hyun Taylor N Peralta Courtney K Choy Senin Hyun Evan H Sakai TJ J Dawson Kyle T Sakai Lyra L Gonzalez

Veterans’ Memorial Aquatic Center Facility Rules

1. ALL ATHLETES AND SWIMMER NEED TO SHOWER BEFORE ENTERING THE POOL

2. NO FOOND OR DRINKS ON MAIN POOL DECK Except for Meet Officials, Volunteers, and Coaches during scheduled competition events. Spectators and events participants may have food and drinks in bleacher and grass area where team tent are set up. Athletes may use plastic water bottles for re-hydration on pool deck.

3. BULK HEADS ARE OFF LIMITS TO ALL SPECTATORS AND SWIMMERS Only Meet Officials, Facility Personal and Coaches are permitted on the bulkhead during the course of the meet and scheduled practice times. Exception: swimmers who are assisting during distance events.

4. DIVING WELL IS CLOSED DURING SWIMMING EVENTS Only during short course season. All Diving Boards are closed except for diving competitions and practice.

5. BLEACHER AREA, PLEASE KEEP A 3-4 FOOT WALK PATH ALONG HAND RAIL The Three Year

by Lee A. Tonouchi

From October 2009-February 2010, Honolulu Theatre for Youth toured an original production by Lee Tonouchi entitled The Three Year Swim Club. Reaching over 10,000 students and families this production was an audience favorite and hopes to return to an HTY season in the future. For more information about the Honolulu Theatre for Youth please visit htyweb.org Hawaii Swim Club honors Nakama By Seabrook Mow Special to The Advertiser

He may not have been the most recognizable figure While the Nakama meet may be held in a pool, it’s not strolling around the Palolo Recreation Pool, but Keo where Nakama first learned to swim. Nakama was never far from people’s thoughts. Nakama learned to swim in an irrigation ditch in Pu‘unene, “He’s cool,” said Helena Suehiro, 16. “He does have a meet Maui. dedicated to him.” “We would swim from bridge to Suehiro was one of 550 club swim- bridge,” said Nakama. The dis- mers participating in the 53rd Keo tance between each bridge was Nakama Swimming Invitational, a about 50 meters, and he was three day meet that attracts top swimming against the current. swimmers from Hawai‘i and the Mainland. The preparation would pay off in his competitive years. While the event honors one of Hawai‘i’s swimming legends, it Arakaki recalled a story about also gives youths from the Islands Nakama, also his first swim coach, a chance to square off with Mainland swimmers. in a race against a U.S. Olympic champion Ralph Gilman in the 30s. Gilman was visiting Hawai'i for an exhibition “Number one, it lets the kids know the tradition in Hawai‘i meet. swimming and they get the experience to swim against people from other counties,” said Iolani's intern swim “Keo Nakama (in this late teens) stepped up to the block, coach, Bobby Brewer, a former national 100 backstroke Gilman (in his twenties) was 6-feet 3-inches and Nakama champion and Olympic trials competitor. was 5-5. They had a good race for about 300 meters and Nakama pulled through the last 20 meters of the event and “This event exposes them (children) to a lot of different beat this Olympic star. And this was a nobody (Nakama) cultures; to show them that there’s more then Hawai‘i,” from the plantation.” Reid Yamamoto, a coach at Hawai‘i Swim Club said. Nakama twice missed his opportunity for the Olympics in Brewer, like many people, know Nakama by name and the 40s. The first was a result of World War II, and the sec- reputation, but have never actually met the 81-year-old. ond one was because of a “funny kind of rule,” he said. “They said when I taught (Nakama was a physical educa- Nakama tries to avoid the spotlight and is now just another tion teacher) I was already a professional.” spectator at the meet. But even without the Olympics, “Swimming has been very He even goes as far as saying, “I’m just too afraid to tell nice to me, I got to travel all around the world,” he said. them to name the event after someone else.” In addition, he was the first person to swim the 27-mile That isn’t likely to happen, though. Kaiwi channel between Moloka‘i and O‘ahu.

“But without an event like this, people would forget who “What Mr. Nakama did was so phenomenal and we hold Keo Nakama was,” said meet Keith Arakaki, the director this event to honor him and remind the kids and the parents and a swim coach for Hawai‘i Swim Club. of the achievement that he did,” Arakaki said.

The Advertise, July 9, 2001 From the Australian press. How they viewed the great swimmer from Hawaii

KEO NAKAMA Baseball/Swimming 1943-45 Inducted: 1979 Keo Nakama was an All-American distance freestyler, winning four NCAA, six Big Ten , three NAAU indoor and six NAAU outdoor titles. Nakama was a vital contributor on OSU’s National Champi- onship teams in 1943 and 1945. The two-sport star was also a member of the OSU baseball team, starting at third base on the 1943 Big Ten Championship team. He is the only person in the modern history of Ohio State to be a captain of two varsity teams in the same year. http://ohiostatebuckeyes.cstv.com/genrel/osu-mhof.html Keo Nakama

Back (L-R): Charley Oda, Bill Smith, unknown, Halo Hirose, Jose Balmores Front (L-R): Bunmei Nakama, unknown, Keo Nakama

1934 Halo and Keo at Puunene summer school

August 1938, Keo on board the S.S. Hamuula WORLD RECORDS: One Mile, New Haven at age 22

Keo Nakama, Coach Sakamoto, a big swimming fan, “Duke” John Wayne and Mr. Paulie (former owner of the L.A. Rams and previous owner of Coconut Island) with Hawaii Swimming Club’s National Team!

At age 41, first person to ever swim the 26 mile Molokai Channel Keo Nakama Keo Nakama never got his chance at pionship years for Hall of Fame Coach onships when Keo and his friend, the Olympics because of World War Mike Peppe’s Buckeyes with Keo the Halo Hirose, became old enough to II, but his “Big Meet” record is no captain his last two years. He also cap- swim. It was the same at Maui High less Olympian. At the 1940 Pan tained the Ohio State University base- School and on the main land when American Swimming Championships ball team. Back in the Islands Keo's Sakamoto’s Nakama led Alexander in Ecuador, the diminutive Hawaiian House Community Association Team won 5 events. At the Australian Na- won the first of several U.S. National tionals in 1939, he won 6 titles, AAU Team Championships in 1939. adding the 330 yard Individual Med- After the war, Hawaii’s big Annual ley to his sweep of all 5 freestyle International Swimming Meet at the events. Nakama is a little guy com- tide-filled Waikiki War Memorial pared to the size of most swimming Natatorium was naturally named the champions, but wherever he has been Keo Nakama Meet. big things have happened, not only to himself but to what ever team he has Keo received his Masters Degree at belonged. Ohio State in 1945, taught at the Uni- versity for two years and then re- During his swimming career in the turned to Hawaii as a high school early 1940’s, Nakama won 27 Na- swimming coach, teacher and athletic tional Championships from 110 yards director. He was elected and served in to 1500 meters. His World Records ex- Coach, Hall of Fame Coach Soichi the Hawaii State Legislature from tend from the mile (1760 yards) swum Sakamoto, was beginning a new era of 1964 to 1974. at New Haven when he was 22 years great Hawaiian Swimming. old to the 27 mile Molokai Channel, a Keo is married to the former Evelyn first-time ever swim, when he was 41 He trained them in an irrigation ditch Oyadomori and they have 6 daugh- years old. on Maui and his first of many Na- ters. Currently, Keo is a Community tional Champions was Keo Nakama. Relations Director for the HGEA and Nakama’s 3 varsity seasons at Ohio Keo’s Puunene School won its first also is a baseball scout for the Detroit State, were Big Ten and NCAA Cham- Maui School Swimming Champi- Tigers.

Need an Employment Lawyer in Hawai‘i?

www.flex.com/~hsc/nela.html www.nela.org Hawaii Swimming Club

Hawaii Swimming Club, Maui

Our History And Philosophy Hawaii Swimming Club Coaches Hawaii Swimming Club (HSC) was founded by “Coach” Soichi Sakamoto in 1945 with the purpose of promoting and Waikele: developing swimming for the benefit of Hawaii’s youth. Emmett Vidal “Coach” Sakamoto’s exploits are well known and he is per- Keith Arakaki haps best remembered for his development of Olympic swimmers using the cane field ditch in Puunene as his training pool. VMAC: Scott Sherwood Hawaii Swimming Club’s mission is to continue the timeless tradition established by “Coach” Sakamoto for the benefit Salt Lake: of our youth. Our coaches fully embrace his philosophy that Claire McKewen age group swimming is for the development of competitive athletes – yes, but perhaps more important, swimming is a Ernest Cheung means of teaching our children life values. Maui: Our desire is to establish an environment where coaches, par- Reid Yamamoto ents and children can share in a commitment, discipline, hard Rodney Hayashi work, respect for others and showing our gratitude. Swimming is important but the love of God, family and education are all www.hawaiiswim.org higher in priority. Oh yes, having FUN is important too. Hawaii Swimming Club, Salt Lake

Hawaii Swimming Club

Hawaii Swimming Club, Hawaii Swimming Club, Waikele

Fast Training, Fast Racing, Swim Swiftly!

VMAC Hawaii The club employs qualified trainers of which the oldest has worked for the good of Polynesian swimming for 42 years! (Mr Karl CERAN-JERUSALEMY, Olympic of PIRAE is a swimming club which counts trainer of the elite (open competitors) !) 250 licenses member from 5 to 70 years. The club is managed by an office which is composed of the fol- The club uses primarily a basin of 50 m for lowing voluntary people: its trainings and training courses.

President: Jean SUEN KO The conducting line of the club is the respect of others and the blooming of the child within the Vice-president: Arthur AGNIERAY family circle and to excel in the sporting effort. Treasurer: Michel SOMMERS Assistant treasurer: Matairea FAAHU Swimming club of Tahiti Secretary: Mayor LOU CHAO Assistant secretary: Patricia NG PAO “Olympique de PIRAE”

TARAKITO SWIM CLUB

Tarakito Swim Club is a private club from Guam, USA established in 1995. It has approximately 120 members ranging from Swim School to Nationally ranked Senior Competitive swimmers. The Head Coach is Pepeʼ Laflamme. Head Coach Pepeʼ Laflamme Caulfield Grammar School 2010 Hawaii Swimming & Diving Tour

Celebrating more than 125 years of history, Caulfield Grammar School has grown to become one of Australia's most well known and influential co-educational day and boarding schools through its innova- tive approaches to teaching and learning.

Caulfield is located in Melbourne Victoria, and is the second largest independent school in Australia with over 3,000 day and boarding students attending the Schoolʼs four metropolitan campuses.

Swimming and Diving are two of the most popular sports at Caulfield Grammar School, with over 220 students representing the School in the Associated Public Caulfield Dive Team Schools (APS) competitions.

The School has a proud history in Swimming and Diving. Within the APS Competition, Caulfield Grammar School has continually been a leader. Caulfield Grammar School was the first school to simultaneously hold both the Boys and Girls Championships at the one time. The Girls squad held the Championship trophy for 9 years before relinquishing it in 2007. Since then the team has finished 2nd each year. The Boys Team won back to back premierships in 2002 / 03 and since then have finished in the top three schools. The 2010 season saw both teams come second by narrow margins and they are building for the 2011 season. The school has also been successful in the State Relays Championship, winning the Rob Woodhouse Trophy regularly for the best Co-educational school when the event was held.

Aside from team performances, the School has had a number of past and current students represent the school with distinction. At the recent National Age Championships for Australia, Caulfield Grammar School students won a remarkable 14 gold medals, in a total of 19 medals overall. The school is also very proud of Cameron Prosser, a past student who was recently selected in the Commonwealth Games team to represent Australia in Delhi later this year.

The 2010 Tour is the first Swimming and Diving Tour to the USA by the School and consists of 22 swimmers and 3 divers, accompanied by five staff.

Caulfield Swim Team Iolani Swim Club Splash Aquatics

Our club is a USA Swimming year-round competitive swim team offering high quality professional coaching and technique instruction for all ages and abilities. The goal of our team is to provide every member an opportunity to improve swimming skills and achieve success at his or her level of ability, from novice to international competitor.

All of our coaches, as members of the American Swim Coaches Association, have access to the most com- prehensive training and certification program for youth coaches of any sport in the United States. They provide assurances that the time children spend in swimming will be quality time. MARS also works as a feeder program for area high school swim teams and many of coaches are also the head coaches of their respective high school teams.

Sports Basics Hawaii Dive Team Kona Dolphin Swim Club 2010

Front left to back: Kristi Cotton, Assistant Coach Kathy Clarke, Owner/Assistant Coach Harry Canales, Head Coach MANHOBEN SWIM CLUB Hagatna, Guam

Front row: Santiago Poppe, Daraven Perez, Tommy Imazu, Back row: Chris Duenas, Johnny Rivera, Jacob Bustamante, Amanda Poppe

The Manhoben Swim Club, started in 1978 and is under the direction of Head Coach Ed Ching and Assistant Coach Don San Agustin. The team is comprised of swimmers ranging from the ages of six to twenty broken down into three sub-teams, depending upon the swimmers skill level and age. Under Coach Ching and Coach San Agustin, the team has made some impressive accomplishments and recognitions. Some of the Manhoben Swimmers still hold records in the U.S. and Saipan. Our Swimmers have participated in many prestigious competitions and medaled like the South Pacific Games, Australia Age Group Championships and here at the Keo Nakama Invitational, plus not to mention many have been selected to represent Guam in the Olympics. Two of the Manhoben Swimmers ranked in the USA Swim- ming.. Last year, Manhoben swimmers competed in the Worlds in Rome andEast Asian Games in Hong Kong. Our swimmer made finals at the East Asian Games and broke Guam Records in two age categories,. Coach Ching is head coach for Guam in 5 Olympics con- secutively with several his swimmers, and Coach San Agustin was selected by Guam Na- tional Olympic Committee to be head coach for the Guam swimmers who participated at the South Pacific Games in Samoa, Worlds in Rome, Jr Pan Pacific in Maui, Pan Pacific in Korea and East Asian Games in Hong Kong. RAINBOW AQUATICS

What Kids Are Saying About Swimming:

“The best part about swimming is when you beat your time. It doesnʼt even matter if you lose the race as long as you tried your best; you can walk away with a smile on your face. When youʼre in the water you forget that people may be watching and all you care about is getting to the other side of the pool and touching the wall. You can just let go and fly.” — Stormie, 12

“I used to only swim in the summer when it was hot out, but now I go to the health club and swim every week, even in the winter. Iʼm going to try out for my schoolʼs swimming team this year.” — Bill, 12

“Swimming is more than just playing in my pool. It is good for my heart and keeps me in shape. It is definitely a great exercise for children.” — Miriam, 11

“Iʼve been told swimming is a wimp sport but we donʼt get time outs and we canʼt stop and catch our breath. Itʼs tough but fun.” — Amber, 13

From pbskids.org on Elbridge W. Smith & Perry Ann Howell

Here is a list of where you can catch Fourth of July fireworks around Oahu. SMITH HIMMELMANN ATTORNEYS AT LAW • A LAW CORPORATION July 2rd, Friday: Hilton Hawaiian Village’s Friday Night Take pleasure in supporting/sponsoring Fireworks on Waikiki Beach Hawaii age group swimmers Hawaii Swimming Club July 3rd, Saturday: and Aloha Tower Marketplace - 8:45 p.m. Coach Keith Arakaki July 4th, Sunday: in honoring Ala Moana Shopping Center - 8:30 p.m. Hickam Air Force Base - 8:30 p.m. KEO NAKAMA Kailua - 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. one of Hawaii’s greatest swimmer Kapolei, Wet and Wild Hawaii - 8:50 p.m. Maili Beach Park - 8:00 p.m. Gook Luck! Maunalua Bay, Hawaii Kai - 8:00 p.m. and Pearl Harbor - 9:00 p.m. Good Swimming! Schofield Barracks - 9:00 p.m. Turtle Bay Resort - 8:00 p.m. “at dark”

Real Estate Referral Center, Inc. 745 Fort Street, Suite 311 Honolulu, Hawaii 96813 Sherry A. Goya (S), President 1806 South King Street, Suite 31 Telephone: 523-5050 Honolulu, HI 96826 www.shlaw.us Email: [email protected] [email protected] Phone: Fax: Specializing in Representing Federal Employees 808-722-8487 808-235-3650 Aloha Tower Marketplace July 3rd Fireworks Extravaganza Aloha Tower Marketplace hosts its annual pre-Independence Day celebration on Saturday, July 3, from 3 pm to 10 pm, the festivities including food, fun and live music for both kids and adults. The ultimate fireworks show is set to go off from Honolulu Harbor around 8:45 pm. Admission is FREE. Start your 4th of July celebration a day early with fun for the whole family at Aloha Tower Marketplace! For more information, visit www.alohatower.com or call (808) 566-2337.

Ala Moana Center 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular Ala Moana Center presents the largest fireworks show on Independence Day thatʼs been popular with locals and visitors. The fireworks extravaganza will begin at 8:30 pm. There is plently of excellent entertainment starting at noon. For more information and a shopping discount, visit www.alamoanacenter.com/julyw.htm?indday, or call (808) 955-9517.

4th of July Celebration & Fireworks at Turtle Bay Resort It is a FREE community event with the celebration starts at 5:30 pm with live entertainment by the Kaʻala Boys and Kapena. There will be booths, military displays, food and games. The fireworks show start “at dark” around 8:00 pm. Admission and parking is FREE. For more information, visit www.turtlebayresortblog.com, or call (808) 293-6053.

Maunalua Bay Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks This family-friendly event starts at 1:00 pm with entertainment, food booths, and a fireworks show at 8:00 pm. Maunalua Bay is located between Diamond Head and Koko Head on the southeast side of Oahu. For more information, visit www.independecedayatmaunaluabay.org, or call (808) 396-9226.

4th of July Sunset Sail The 4th of July Sail is a fundraiser for the Wild Dolphin Foundation to promote wildlife conservation efforts. Enjoy a catered buffet dinner and see the fireworks while sailing out to see the brilliant star display. The boat departs from Kewalo Basin Harbor at 7:00 pm just before sunset to capture the transition form glorious sunset to silver moonlight. For more information, visit www.sialhawaii.com, or call (808) 306-7273. THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS!

Elbridge W. Smith, Smith Himmelmann, AAL, ALC Stuart McElhaney, The Pillbox Pharmacy Able Pest Exterminators, Inc. Gulliver’s Sport Travel Waipio Shopping Center Real Estate Referral Center, Inc. Hawaii Swimming Club Parents

A very special Mahalo to all of our HSC families.

Thank you for your hard work, generous food and monetary donations. There are so many things that could not happen without your help from planning, coordinating the swimming and diving events, assisting the visiting teams, gathering sponsors, helping with the deck set up, shopping, hospitality, hous- ing, artistic skills in putting together our souvenir booklet, safety marshalling, recycling, deck and office officiating, life guarding, head timing and clean up. Every job is so crucial to the success of our meet. And each year we rely on the con- tinued support of all of our great parents. Thank you for your generosity and for responding to the call for help!