Page 6 - MidWeek Windward - June 15, 2022

6 JUNE 15, 2022
Windward Woman Helps Youth Achieve Their Athletic Dreams
BY DON ROBBINS
Hawai‘i alumni cheerleader. Us- ing that, mixed with my major, which was family resources, I creat- ed a program that I wish I had when I was growing up,” Castagnetti Dowl- ing says.
Dowling, and signed her daughter up.
a member of the team called Malulani.
A local girl from Kailua, Pualani Castagnetti Dowling is a former dancer and cheer- leader who is utilizing her athletic talents to help young people reach their goals in gymnastics.
“Coach Pua is a great coach. My daughter’s skills were so much better,” La- timer says.
“Starting this program I have gained many tumbling skills like my back tuck and round off double backhand spring back-tuck for exam- ple,” Gianni shares. “I have also learned how to fly on a one man stunt and improved my techniques and (as) a flyer and a gymnast tremendously. This was also my very first job so I learned about em- ployment and coaching and safety.”
Castagnetti Dowling is president and founder of Ha- waiian Island Cheer, which she established in February 2016, and steadily expand- ed. Meanwhile, the tumbling aspect of the program took off in a positive direction and, in 2019, she also creat- ed Hawaiian Island Tumble Champs.
She shares that as
part of her college education, she in-
terned working with troubled youth and
their families and
called it “frustrating”
that she could not have in- tervened earlier to make a positive impact on the chil- dren’s lives. She wanted to find a more proactive meth- od of helping.
(Above and top left) Youth participate
in programs by Windward resident Pualani Castagnetti Dowling (left), which include Hawaiian Island
Cheer and Hawaiian Island Tumble Champs. PHOTOS COURTESY MICHELE LATIMER AND PUALANI CASTAGNETTI DOWLING
Unfortunately, the pan- demic had a major effect on all students, causing many disruptions that put a damper on school sports. It prevent- ed Gianni cheering during her freshman or sophomore years Kalāheo High School — much to her disappoint- ment — as there were no high school sports during the 2020-21 school year.
Gianni adds that she would recommend the program to others because it is fun and has led her to form many friendships.
Castagnetti Dowling graduated from Castle High school in 2005, compet- ing and cheering on varsi- ty teams and serving as a member of Castle Dance- force. After high school, she attended University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa, where she was a Rainbow Warrior Dancer her freshman year. She helped lead the crowd at games and competed her last three years as a cheerlead- er. In January 2009, the UH cheerleaders even won Paula Abdul’s “Rah” cheerleading bowl. Castagnetti Dowling then graduated with a degree in family resources in 2009.
“I’m a University of
“I’m more of a mentor in the sense of not interven- ing, but prevention,” she explains about why she de- cided to start her programs, which are mobile and taught at various sites on the Wind- ward side.
proud mom of three sons of her own.
Gianni was 12 when she started with Hawaiian Island Cheer and became so profi- cient of an athlete that she even started coaching for HIC at age 15. Gianni, who turns 16 in August, agreed to be the assistant coach for the youngest squad called Keikilani Tiny’s. She is also
“I love the environment and it’s such a great experience and you can learn so much in just one season,” she says.
ed homeless keiki with free cheer and tumble clinics, and has done beach clean- ups.
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Windward resident Mi- chele Latimer is one of the big fans of Castagnetti Dow- ling’s efforts.
Visit hawaiianislandcheer. com or email hawaiianisland- cheer@yahoo.com.
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The pandemic has impact- ed the programs but they are rebounding now that restric- tions have eased, she notes.
Family is also import- ant to Castagnetti Dowling, who notes that she’s also the
Latimer explains that she wanted to find a program to help her daughter Gianni with her cheer skills. After scouring the internet, she found out about Castagnetti
In an effort to give back to the community, Hawaiian Island Cheer has performed for the patients at Shriners Children’s Hawai‘i, provid-
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