Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 32, Number 11, 1 November 2015 — Polynesian Football Hall of Fame should be embroced [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

Polynesian Football Hall of Fame should be embroced

Aloha mai from Kaua'i and Ni'hau! Last month I had the honor and pleasure to introduce the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Class of 2016 in Honolulu. Some of the distinguished attendees were Polynesian Football Hall of Fame board members Coach June Jones, Jesse Sapolu, and Ma'a Tanuvasa. It was a successful media

event that garnered wide national and international coverage. Inductees this year include Charlie Teetai Ane, Rockne Freitas, A1 Lolotai, and Vai Sikahema. The class headliner is recent NFL retiree, Pittsburgh Steeler great and likely NFL Hall of Fame inductee Troy Polamalu. I am beyond honored to also serve on the steering committee for the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame. This organization is doing such great work and its impact in the Polynesian community around the world will be immense. I feel I have a distinct responsibility in representing the Native Hawaiian community in this organization. The people of Hawai'i have an incredible opportunity in being the home of the Hall of Fame and being home to many of the inductees. Polynesians have had a huge impact in both collegiate and professional football, and football has

had a profound impact in the Polynesian community by providing immense opportunities for our people. As a former collegiate football player, I have been able to experience first hand the benefits that football provides our young people. I will continue to advocate for youth athletic programs and I know that being a part of Polynesian Football Hall of Fame organization will help our Native Hawaiian eommunities in this quest. With the NFL now taking

the Pro Bowl to other locations, it is critical for Hawai'i to remain eonnected for the benefit of our youth athletes and embrace all that the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame has to offer. It is vital that we support its efforts to build a Hawai'i-grown entity that provides educational, eeonomie, and community building opportunities with homegrown talent while utilizing its broad network of partnerships from around the world. I am extremely excited to work with this organization by building bridges between the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame and communities throughout Hawai'i. The Class of 2016 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend will be held on January 29 and 30, 2016 in O'ahu. Table reservations for the Enshrinement Weekend are now available. For more information please visit www. polynesianfootballHOF.org. ■

Dan Ahuna

VicE Chair, TrustEE, Kaua'i and Ni'ihau

The 201 6 Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Class is announced. Photo: OHA Communications. From left, Trustee Dan Ahuna, June Jones, Jesse Sapolu and Ma'a Tanuvasa. - Photo: Claudine Calpito