Page 4 - MidWeek Central - Feb 16, 2022

4 FEBRUARY 16, 2022
Tee Off To Support Leilehua High School Mules Football Team
BY KYLE GALDEIRA
program currently receives as part of the typical budgeting process.
it comes to its beloved Leilehua Mules, and once the communi- ty is aware of the assistance they can provide to the program, they show up in full force. Coach Mark Kurisu (class of 1993) is a well-re- spected person in the Hawai‘i high school football and Wahiawā com- munities, so when his vision of F3 (Faith, Family, Future) came to fru- ition, we decided to hit the ground running. And, with the COVID-19 pandemic going on and so many families throughout Hawai‘i going through rough times, this organiza- tion became a necessity.”
cost, all sports at Leilehua High School will benefit financially.”
As a physical education teacher at Leilehua High School, Willie Ganiko constantly looks for ways to set his students and student-ath- letes up for success.
One of the organization’s first large-scale initiatives is the F3 Golf Tournament slated for Wednesday, March 16, at Mililani Golf Club.
Golf tournament chairperson Traci Kashiwabara, a Leilehua physical education teacher and the Leilehua girls golf coach, has been hard at work organizing the event, which promises “delicious food, great prizes and fellowship” for participants.
When he noticed the trend of rising expenses across the high school sports landscape in Ha- wai‘i, especially when it came to the Leilehua Mules football team, the teacher began drawing up a proverbial playbook to help the team continue operating as a suc- cessful program amid a competi- tive playing environment.
The three-person scramble tournament features a shotgun start scheduled for 11 a.m. with an entry cost of $150 per person or $450 per team. Ganiko explains that the tournament will feature standard contests such as closest to the pin, longest drive and low- est team score, and participants can also look forward to prize giveaways including free rounds of golf, weekend getaways in Waikīkī, golf clubs, sports mem- orabilia and gift certificates from supporting restaurants.
Leilehua Mules football coach Mark Kurisu addresses his players in a contest versus Farrington earlier this season. PHOTO COURTESY HONOLULU STAR-ADVERTISER
“Leilehua High School is the pride of Wahiawā,” Ganiko shares. “When we need to rely on others to help us achieve our goals, Wahi- awā is always the first to offer their hearts!”
While he is not a member of the football team’s coaching staff, Ganiko is president of the newly formed F3 Team, a non- profit booster club established to provide Leilehua football coach Mark Kurisu and the Mules with support that supplements what the
and players in a position to suc- ceed,” Ganiko says.
Kurisu stresses that “each year, the start-up costs for football can run anywhere between $10,000 to $25,000 because of the type of safety equipment that needs to be refurbished or replenished. Equip- ment and uniform costs come close to $1,000 per player. If we can help alleviate the amount of this starting
There are limited spots remain- ing in the tournament, and Ganiko credits Leilehua principal Jason Nakamoto and athletics director Nolan Tokuda for helping to make the idea of a booster club and fund- raising event a reality.
“We are hoping this annual golf tournament will help generate funds to put our football program
“(The tournament will help) to provide assistance with lowering the costs of team meals, uniforms, tournament fees and other services required to run a quality program.
For more information, visit thef3team.weebly.com.
“Wahiawā is a town that is hard- working, humble and proud when
BIRD EXCLUSION
Rid Your Home of Bird Activity
SERVICES NOW AVAILABLE
Bird Exclusion Services

Plus

Call us to schedule a home inspection
Free Estimates
CALL 808-622-2268
www.alohatermite.com
PCO -1118