2014 Districts Year-in-Review
WEST HAWAII DISTRICT TENNIS ASSOCIATION
www.westhawaii.usta.com
SAUNDRA GULLEY, District President
[email protected]
West Hawaii players’ enthusiasm for “The Game” totally rocks! For the 3rd consecutive year, Adult League play grew, which was a herculean task in the face of continuing to offer all the new USTA leagues. We had record participation at our 5th Annual League Party, and
shared Big Island aloha in hosting the 2014 Ekolu and Tri Level Sectional League Championships in West Hawaii.
WHDTA also proudly celebrated (and financially sponsored) our two 55+ Adult teams advancing to the 2014 National Championships: The
Lava Girls SL55 8.0 Women’s Team (captained by Pat Jamesson & Kathy Lindsey), and the Mauna Kea Breakers 7.0 Women’s Team captained by Emily Tate.
WHDTA’s continued dedication to “our kids” in 2014 included P/E school programs in Waimea, and our Annual Junior Championships in
May – which included both singles and doubles this year. The District also sponsored 4 junior and 3 adult tournaments.
As a 100% volunteer organization, we can never be too grateful for our volunteers -- a heartfelt mahalo goes out to the dedicated and talented individuals who continue to serve on the WHDTA Board: Al Honey, Amy Nordin, Jerry Jamesson, Keely Rochon, Lily Acoba, Lovette
Llantos, Nick Yamasaki & Shelly Pelfrey, and new members Emily Tate & Jeff Kam. We also recognize Pat Jamesson as the recipient of
West Hawaii’s 2014 District Service Award for going above & beyond in her support of tennis.
EAST HAWAII DISTRICT TENNIS ASSOCIATION
www.easthawaii.usta.com
Leonora Kunimoto, District President
[email protected]
East Hawaii District was guided through an eventful year by its officers and Board of Directors: President Leo Kunimoto, Vice-president
Sheri Nishida, Secretary Valerie Galacgac, Treasurer Jane Iida, Past President Jill Atwal, District Delegate Ray Hasegawa, Hilo Junior Tennis Club President Gerald Kosaki; also, Donna Lim, Andrea Ueno, Nancy Kelly, Lori Nekoba, Peter Tadaki, and Clarysse Nunokawa.
Two very successful events were “Got Game” and “Tennis Festival.” “Got Game” introduced tennis to 50 new and beginning players and
made a pitch for league tennis. “Tennis Festival” was held in December as a thank you to adult and junior players for their involvement
in tennis. Both events were free and provided attendees with food, tennis clinic, hit for prizes and lots of fun.
Several East HI juniors attended national events: Diana (Didi) Wong, Junior Nationals, Level 1, 16s; Emily Soares, 16 Zonals, National Hard
Courts 16s; Sarah Dvorak, National Clay Courts, National Hard Courts, National Team; Maile Brilhante, 12 Zonals.
Several USTA League teams played in national tournaments: 2.5 mixed 18 and over, captain Pam Oki, Laila Jayyous, Kira Mae, Earl Maltezo, Ross Naito, Brent Nishi placed 4th; 8.0 men adult 55 and over, captain Grant Yamamoto, Scott Thompson, Tom Kekahio, Richard
Cunningham, Tom Randle, Robin Takahashi, Ken Kuwahara, Dean Takebayashi, Henri Aki, Doug Pang, Bill Von Boeckman, Al Zavarro,
Peter Follett, Jeff Kam; 2.5 W adult 18 and over, captain Valerie Galacgac, Brenda Ho, Tiffanie Okuda, Hanna Wilson, Jo Ann Ishida, Frances Calantoc, Billie Jo Vieira, and 6.0 adult 65 and over, captain Charlotte Etling, Linda Levine, Eunice Hashimoto, Annie Gleason, Ellen
Higa, Jan Nakahara, Lucy Makuakane, Larie Kent placed 4th.
East HI District Leagues Committee consists eight members, six of whom are LLCs. This committee revises the district league rules
whenever appropriate and manages any league related matters and concerns.
There are now five qualified referees, Bill Brilhante, Chris Brilhante, Mark Chun, Wayne Yamada, and Gerald Kosaki.
Three recipients were presented with section awards at the annual awards banquet: Emily Soares, Jim Howe Sportsmanship Award,
Jane Iida, Section Service Award, and Andrea Ueno, District Service Award.
EHD gave awards to four people, Andrea Ueno, John Sumada (County of Hawaii) and RobinTakahashi (UHH) for going above and beyond in organizing and obtaining courts for league matches; Jane Iida for her major role in recruiting and organizing new and beginning players in league tennis resulting in a record number of 2.5 and 3.0 teams.
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Hawaii Pacific Yearbook 2015