Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 9, Number 5, 1 May 1992 — A helping hand [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

A helping hand

by Louis Hao Trustee, Moloka'i & Lana'i

Aloha Mai, Apnl 9 marked more than 38 years since 1 had last seen Bob Stevens. He was my neighbor in Waiakea town, a district in Hilo,

Hawai i, where a lonesome giant green eloek stands

watch over the plaee where the Waiakea gymnasium onee stood. At 1:05 one morning in 1960, a giant tidal wave wiped out our town. Only the eloek remains standing today. Memories flashed back as I talked story with Bob, who is the son of Piilani and the nephew of the late Napua Stevens. He was raised by his grandparents. 1 especially remember his grandfather, who managed the Waiakea train station where all trains were housed. Waiakea was the central "turn around" depot for trains routed from Hilo to Puna, and from Hilo to Honokaa during the sugar industry's heyday because it was close to Hilo's Kuhio Bav. whieh housed the wharf

where sugar was stored for shipment. In our ehanee meeting, Bob told me something that touched me deeply. It was gratifying to learn that 1 had been his role model and his basketball idol. I would like to believe that I influ-

enced him and his peers not only athletically, but in the development of character and ideals. I began to think about us older boys helping the younger ones, as was our custom in Waiakea, and then 1 realized the importance of people extending helping hands to others. Many had extended their hands to me. One person was Setsuo "Chop Chop" Yamada, who taught me how to play basketball. I remember my first basketball game. I was the only substi-

tute player left on the bench, and time was running out. "Chop Chop" had no ehoiee but to put me in. I scored the final four points and we won the game. That made me a very confident continued on page 23

The 1954 Territorial First Team of 1954, from left, Al Takahata of Hilo, George Baker of Honokaa, George Alameda of Hilo, Louls Hao of Hilo, Ron Kakuda and Hal Chathrend of McKinley.

/ Trustee Hao

from page 21

1 1 year old. While in high school 1 was guided into becoming the most valuable player in the Territory of Hawaii's annual Shriners' Basketball Tournament. That was in 1953 under Coach Achong Young, who later provided me with the opportunity to receive my athletic scholarship to the University of Hawai'i at Manoa. I not only got to play basketball, I received my college education.

Ah Chew Goo was more than my basketball eoaeh, and his helping hand was especially strong. I was involved in a fatal auto accident, and suddenly, basketball seemed meaningless. Furthermore, the Territorial Law declared me a felon, making me ineligible to complete my officer's training in ROTC. It humbled me so mueh. I lost my pride and self-confidence, and my desire to play basketball was gone. I don't believe I ever fulfilled Ah Chew's expectations of me as a basketball player again, yet he kept me on the team. He opened his home to me; he was my friend. Attorney Munro Matsumura pleaded to Judge William Fairbanks for leniency on my behalf. I was fortunate. There would be no prison sentence for me providing 1 kept out of trouble and completed college. I did both. I found out many years later that it was Lt. Gov. James Kealoha who convinced Gov. William Quinn to grant me a full and free pardon, whieh 1 received right before statehood in 1959. Lt. Gov. Kealoha's assistance had been sought by my high school eoaeh, Achong Young. Helping hands had gone full circle. PerhaDs I was blessed! At anv rate. two spiri-

tual leaders had offered me their helping hands, too — The Revs. Abraham Akaka and Samuel Keala. Kahu Akaka was pastor at Haili Church and greatiy influenced my life while I was growing up. He taught me, "God first, others second, and self last." Kahu Keala was my friend while I was in college. I spent a lot of time listening to him talk, but the odd thing is that I never heard Kahu Keala deliver a sermon. I did attend his church onee, though; and that was when he officiated at my marriage ceremony. That was over 30 years ago. I would like to end this eolumn with a special message to Bob Stevens. Thank you, Bob, for letting me influence your life as others have influenced mine. And thank you for telling me about it. 1 know that you are continuing the tradition that we established in Waiakea town — that of being a worthy role model and extending a helping hand to others. As vice principal of Aliamanu School, how ean you miss? Mahalo !