HPU Offers Free Helmets In Memory Of Former Ewa Student
The Hawaii Pacific University athletics department has announced that Saturday will be Helmet Night, in honor of two of its former student-athletes — Kameron Steinhoff and Zachary Manago.
Free bike/skateboard helmets will be given to all children on a first-come, first-served basis after the men’s basketball game, which begins at 5 p.m. at the Blaisdell Arena.
An Ewa Beach resident, Steinhoff was an HPU basketball player, who passed away in May of 2011 from injuries suffered in a skateboard accident. Baseball player Manago was killed during
an organized bike ride in 2010. As a way to hopefully prevent future tragedies, the college estab- lished a program last year called Kam’s Helmets, which provides helmets to children and others. Last May, HPU gave out more than 200 free helmets in con- junction with The Queen’s Medical Center’s Trauma Center and ThinkFirst Hawaii. The program has since been renamed “Kam’s and Zach’s Helmets.”
The program continues this year with Saturday’s event kicking it off. Game tickets cost $5 for adults and $3 for children and seniors. The athletics department is donating all ticket revenue from the 2012-2013 season to Kam’s and Zach’s Helmets.
Steinhoff, who was a 2008 Punahou graduate and former Hawaii State Player of the Year, played in 51 games as a Sea Warrior, tallying a career-high 13 points in an overtime win over Dominican University in February 2010.
Everyone is encouraged to attend. For questions, call Lauren Conching at 356-5223 or email lconching@hpu.edu.
HPU baseball team ranked 9th
Hawaii Pacific University’s baseball team opened its 2013 season last weekend at Hans L’Orange Park in Waipahu as the ninth-ranked team in the West Region, according to the latest poll from the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.
Royal Kunia resident Garett Yukumoto coaches the team, which is coming off a 30-19 season in 2012. HPU returned eight players who saw significant playing time last season, including six who made All-Conference teams. HPU also welcomes a host of newcomers, including a few highly valued recruits.
A trio of HPU seniors were named to the Preseason All-West Region Second Team with Kale Sumner earning honors at third base, Wade Tamaru at shortstop and Michael Murray as a pitcher. An Aiea resident, Tamaru made the All-PacWest First Team for the second consecutive year in 2012, after batting .361 with 25 runs, four doubles and 23 RBI.
In addition to Tamaru, HPU also features eight other West Oahu products, including Tre’ Haliburton-Goeas and Joshua Garcia (both Kapolei residents/Saint Louis graduates); Tyler Tokunaga, Cory Yuh and Reid Akau (Waipahu/Pearl City High); Keanu Kapana (Ewa Beach/Campbell High), Jordan Oshiro (Pearl City High) and Austin Inabata (Kapolei/Moanalua High).
HPU returns to action at 6 p.m. Feb. 14 at Hans L’Orange Park, opening a four-game series with Northwest Nazarene University.
