Participate

This is a list of the 2012 fundraising, sporting, and volunteer opportunities for SOWH.

To participate in any of these events, call Area Director Dave Ross at 808-345-1344 or email him at sowhdave@yahoo.com. Also, those interested in becoming an athlete, new volunteer or unified partner should visit www.sowh.org/forms and complete the required forms.

January
29 — Kickoff barbecue: SOWH hosts a 2 p.m. barbecue at Kahaluu Beach Park, where interested athletes and volunteers can sign up for the upcoming Spring sports season or learn more about the organization. Awards will be given to participants and supporters. SOWH athletes will receive yearbooks. A local musicians will provide the entertainment. There will also be ono grinds.

February
Spring sports season begins: Softball and T-Ball is from 3:15 to 4:45 p.m. Mondays and Thursday at the Old Kona Airport Park’s baseball field. Swimming is from 5 to 6 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays at the Kona Community Aquatic Center. Powerlifting is from 5 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays at The Club in Kona. Track and Field is from 2 to 3:15 p.m. Wednesdays at Konawaena High School’s track.
25 — Coaches clinic: This is for all SOWH coaches teaching Track & Field, Swimming, Softball & T-Ball, and Powerlifting. It’s scheduled tenatively at University of Hawaii at Manoa.
TBA — Guns and Hoses Law Enforcement & Fire Regatta: This race benefits SOWH. Volunteers are needed for registration, timekeepers, set up, food service, decorating and clean up. Shifts are from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Kailua Pier or from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. Old Kona Airport pavilion.

March
1 — Fueling Dreams: Tesoro gas station on Queen Kaahumanu Highway across from the Honokohau Small Boat Harbor. Volunteers are needed to serve four-hour shifts with local police officers, who will pump gas and wash windows for tips. The public is encouraged to buy gas from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 1 and 2. Tesoro is hosting this event, which raises money for SOWH. To learn more about the fundraiser, visit www.sowh.org.

April
14 — Track and Field Meet: SOWH athletes will be competing at Keaau High in Hilo. Check with Area Director Dave Ross for more details.
16 — Deadline for Summer Games paperwork: All medical, releases, special partner and volunteer forms must be submitted to Special Olympics Hawaii’s state office
21 — Hele-On Bus Pull: Special Olympics West Hawaii athletes and volunteers will attempt to pull a Hele-On bus at the Keauhou Shopping Center.
28 — SOWH Softball Tournament: Special Olympics West Hawaii is hosting a softball tournament from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Old Kona Airport fields, located behind the Kona Community Aquatics Center. Big Island softball and T-ball teams will compete for spots at the State Special Olympic Summer Games held in late May on Oahu. Volunteers are needed to help support the participating athletes.
29— Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run/Wal & Powerlifting Meet: Event begins at 9 a.m. at First Hawaiian Bank in the Lanihau Shopping Center. Police officers and volunteers carry the “Flame of Hope” through the streets of Kailua-Kona in an effort to raise awareness and funds for the Special Olympics athletes. The “Flame of Hope” will carried along Alii Drive, go to Hale Halewai and end at The Club in Kona, where the Special Olympics West Hawaii Powerlifting Tournament will be held directly after the run. Entry fee is $20. To participate, call Dectective Renee Morinaka at 326-4646 ext. 301.
TBA — Fun Day: This free event will be held at Hawaii Preparatory Academy’s Stanford W. Shutes Track, located on the Upper Campus. Participants compete in the 50m Dash, 100m Dash, 200m Dash, Softball Throw, Shot Put Throw, 100m Assisted Walk, Bocce Ball, Standing Long Jump, and Running Long Jump. To register or for more information, contact Dana Petteys at dpetteys@hpa.edu.

May
12 — The Visitor Industry Charity Walk: Event starts at 6:45 a.m. for runners and 7 a.m. for walkers at the Mauna Lani Resort. This 3-mile walk raises money for local charities, including SOWH. There’s a $35 entry fee. To learn more about this fundraiser, visit www.charitywalkhawaii.org.
25, 26 & 27 — Summer Games: The Summer Games is held at the University of Hawaii over Memorial Day weekend. This event features 3 days of competition for more 700 athletes in Track & Field (Athletics), Swimming (Aquatics), Powerlifting, and Softball (includes Unified Softball, Coach Pitch, T-Ball, and Individual Skills). The Summer Games marks the end of the Spring season. Over 1,500 volunteers are needed.
TBA — Surf Day: Hawaii Lifeguard Surf Instructors, Halona’s Ocean Tours and Full Life are helping people with disabilities experience surfing. This free event takes place from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Kahaluu Beach Park. To register or for more information, call Deann Canuteson, Full Life president, at 322-9333.
TBA — Ironman 70.3 Hawaii Triathlon: Volunteers are needed for three-hour-long shifts at the SOWH aid station, which runs from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Mauna Lani Resort. They will pass out drinks to triathletes. To learn more about the triathlon, visit www.ironman703hawaii.com.

June
9 — Swinging for Special Olympics: This golf tournament at the Kona Country Club in Keauhou benefits SOWH.
TBA — UCC Coffee Kona Marathon: Volunteers are needed at the SOWH aid station, where they will pass out drinks to athletes from 5:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of Island Chevrolet in Kailua-Kona. Various work shifts are available. To learn more about the marathon, visit www.konamarathon.com.

July
21 — East Hawaii Bocce Ball Tournament: Contact Area Director Dave Ross for more details.
28 — Big Island Soccer & Bocce Ball Competition in Kona: Contact Area Director Dave Ross for more details.
TBA — Ohana barbecue and fun day: SOWH hosts a barbecue and fun day for its athletes, coaches, volunteers, families and friends at noon at the park located below McDonald’s and the post office in Kealakekua. Participants are expected to bring a dish and get their food assignment from SOWH Volunteer Coordinator KC Strand, who can be reached at zionvideos@yahoo.com

August
TBA — Big Island Games Day: SOWH athletes and their unified partners compete against other island teams in bocce and soccer for a spot at the Aukake State Games, which will be held on Aug. 16 and 17 on Oahu. The Big Island Games Day tournaments take place from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Old Kona Airport soccer fields. Volunteers are need for the award presentation, food table staff, runners, referees, etc.
TBA — Project Compassion: SOWH athletes, coaches, volunteers, families and friends will jotten down orders or welcome patrons at Denny’s Restaurant in Kailua-Kona. All the tips earned and 20 percent of Denny’s gross sales made from 2 to 9 p.m. goes straight to SOWH. Project Compassion is a series of monthly dinner evenings at Denny’s hosted by deserving charities and administered by the Rotary Club of Kona. For more information, call 756-6550.

September
14, 15 & 16 — Cop On Top: Local police officers sit atop of a scaffold in front of Walmart in Kailua-Kona, encouraging and calling out to nearby shoppers to donate money toward SOWH. The public can make donations from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Volunteers are needed to collect donations, express gratitude, man the information table and pass out balloons.
TBA — Tree Planting: SOWH athletes, coaches, volunteers, friends and families help reforest a native dryland forest, by planting trees at the West Hawaii Veterans Cemetery. This year-round program of sports training and competitions for individuals with intellectual disabilities regularly tries to gives back to the community. This community service project takes place from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

October
13 — East Hawaii Unified Bowling Tournament: Contact Area Director Dave Ross for more details.
20 — East Hawaii Singles Bowling Tournament: Contact Area Director Dave Ross for more details.
21 — West Hawaii Unified Bowling Tournament: Contact Area Director Dave Ross for more details.
27 — Weinberg Neighbor Island Regional Basketball Tournament: Contact Area Director Dave Ross for more details.
TBA — Ironman World Championship: About 70 volunteers are needed to work five-hour shifts at the SOWH aid station, where they will pass out drinks to athletes and pick up rubbish. To learn more about the World Championship, visit www.ironman.com.

December
1 & 2 — Holiday Classic: Special Olympics participants statewide compete in a basketball tournament and individual skills competition; singles, doubles and unified team bowling competitions; and traditional and unified doubles bocce tournaments. The Holiday Classic held at Hick Air Base and Kaneohe Bay Marine Corps Base marks the end of the Fall season.
15 — State Award Nominations Due
TBA — Fun Night: SOWH hosts a family-friendly event filled with movies, food and games at the Kona International Marketplace.