Issue No. 6 - The David S. Ishii Foundation

8– Through the Green, February 2007, Vol. 6
2006 DSIF College Scholarships Awarded
Four Hawaii high school golfers were awarded
$2,500 David S. Ishii Foundation scholarships in
2006. They are (from left) Brittany Johnston,
graduate of Waiakea High School, Ahromi
Wang of Pearl City High School, Shunsuke
Aonuma of Iolani School, and Ryan Sasaki
of Education Laboratory School. Johnston will
be attending Linfield College, Wang will be
attending UCLA, Aonuma will be attending
Dartmouth College, Sasaki will be attending
Willamette University.
How to Apply
Through the Green
DAVID S. ISHII FOUNDATION NEWSLETTER
ISSUE NO. 6
FEBRUARY 2007
DSIF Travel Stipends Help Young Players
Broaden Their Horizons
Recipients of the 2006 DSIF scholarship were recognized at the DSIF
Hawaii high school seniors graduating in the tournament banquet held at Pearl Country Club.
2006-2007 academic school year who have
demonstrated a high level of academic achievement, were active members of their high school golf teams, and plan on attending college full-time at an accredited U.S. college or university are eligible to apply for the 2007 DSIF Scholarship.
Students can obtain application forms by first checking with their school athletic director or college guidance counselor.
Or, students may submit their request to: DSIF Scholarship Fund Committee, P.O. Box 2927, Aiea, HI 96701-2927. Deadline
for completed application and materials is April 30, 2007.
Note: One of the ways
that the David S. Ishii Foundation (DSIF) supports
junior golfers in Hawaii is by
defraying part of the travel
cost to attend the Boys U.S.
Junior Amateur Championships. The value of this
program is evident in the
letters submitted by two of
this year’s participants, T.J.
Kua and Sean Maekawa.
For more information about
the DSIF U.S. Junior Ama- (L-R): T.J. Kua and Sean Maekawa at the 2006 Boys Junior
teur Travel Stipend, see U.S. Amateur Tournament held at the Rancho Sante Fe
Country Club, California.
page 7.
School on the Big Island,
and Kua, a 16-year-old
junior at Kamehameha Kapalama, finished 1st and
2nd, respectively, to capture
the two spots available
via the two-day qualfier
at the Turtle Bay Resort’s
Palmer Course. Fujikawa,
a 16-year-old sophomore
at Moanalua High School,
earned his way into the field
by virtue of having qualified
for the 2006 U.S. Open.
Only 256 out of well
over 3,000 of the best junior
golfers in the world made
T.J. Kua will never forget his first impression of the
it to Rancho Santa Fe. Of the elite field of 256, only
Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club in California. “I was blown
64 made it past the medal rounds to enter the match
away by the venue!” Kua writes. “A nice course along
play portion of the competition. Impressively, all three
with a great practice facility and clubhouse – what more
players from Hawaii made it to the match play round
could you ask for?”
of 64!
Kua, Sean Maekawa and
“The number of spectators,
Tadd Fujikawa comprised the
“Participating in such an awe- coaches and college coaches I
group of three Hawaii golfers who
saw was the most I have seen at
played in the prestigious U.S.G.A. some event...has allowed me all the tournaments I have played
Junior Amateur Championships in to become a better golfer and in combined,” Kua explains. “I felt
July 2006.
like I was participating in a tournaperson.” – Sean Maekawa
Like Kua, Maekawa was also
ment on tour.”
impressed by what he saw and
Managing to handle their nerexperienced at Rancho Santa Fe. “The (course) was
vousness at this early age is an invaluable learning
in terrific condition!” Maekawa reports. “Many of the
experience for these young men. To perform so well
volunteers who worked this tournament are members
under pressure is a testament to their character and
of the Rancho Sante Fe Golf Club. They made us feel
maturity.
very comfortable with their kind hospitality. I feel very
“The intensity of the tournament stepped my nerfortunate to have played there.”
vousness up to another level. It was good to feel it so
Maekawa, a 17-year-old senior at Honokaa High
See “U.S. Junior Amateur,” continued on page 7
David S. Ishii Foundation
P.O. Box 2927
Aiea, Hawaii 96701
Non-Profit
Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Aiea, Hawaii
Permit No. 17
2 – Through the Green, February 2007, Vol. 6
Just Watch Who You’re
Calling 'Junior'
David S. Ishii
Foundation
P.O. Box 2927 Aiea, Hawaii 96701
By David S. Ishii
David S. Ishii Foundation Officers
David Ishii: President
Lorraine Ishii: Vice President
Fay Nagata: Treasurer
Board of Directors
David Ishii: Chair
Warren Haruki: Vice Chair
Allan Ikawa
Lorraine Ishii
Ann Miller
Neal Okamoto
Elton Tanaka
Tracy Tanji
Wendell Tom
Allan Yamamoto
Honorary Director
GEN Eric K. Shinseki
Golf Tournament
Elton Tanaka: Director
David Ishii: Advisor
Tournament Committee
Dayton Asato, Marilyn Chinen,
Misty Gier, Arnold Hiura, Eloise Hiura,
Colan Ishii, Lorraine Ishii, Danny Lau, Ann
Miller, Fay Nagata, Neal Okamoto, Bill
Sato, Steve Shishido, Wendell Tom,
Allan Yamamoto, Guy Yamamoto,
Pauline Yanagisawa, Rudy Yanagisawa,
Chad Yawata
Junior Golf Scholarship Committee
Guy Yamamoto: Chair
William Sato
Clark Miyazaki
John Ishii
Steven Shishido
College Scholarship Committee
Dayton Asato: Chair
Yasuko Asada
Pat Ariki
Jay Hinazumi
Gail Tamashiro
Bert Yamamoto
Pauline Yanagisawa
Newsletter
Arnold Hiura, MBFT Media
Production by Obun Hawai‘i
Through the Green, February 2007, Vol. 6 – 7
“U.S. Junior Amateur,” Continued from Page 1
O
ne of the most gratifying things about being associated with junior golfers is that
you are able to see the growth and development of Hawaiiʼs young, up-and-coming talent.
There has always been a new crop of promising
young players on the local scene, but I donʼt think
Tadd Fujikawa wowed the
anyone would argue with me if I say that we are
golf world with his amazing
currently witnessing an extraordinary – possibly
performance at the 2007
Sony Open. (808Golf Photo)
even once in a lifetime – group of young players
make their mark both locally and nationally.
The first Hawaii teen to grab worldwide attention was Michelle Wie, who
turned professional in October 2005 at the age of 15. Now 17, Michelle has
compiled a long list of “firsts” and continues to make news wherever she plays.
Recently, Moanalua High School sophomore Tadd Fujikawa captured the
hearts of golf fans everywhere when he made the cut at the Sony Open. At age
16, Tadd became the youngest player to make the cut at a PGA Tour event in 50
years. Nor was this Taddʼs only time in the national spotlight, as he had already
made history by becoming the youngest player to ever qualify for the U.S.
Open at the age of 15.
In spite of his success, Tadd has plenty of competition amongst his age group
here at home. Amongst his chief challengers is reigning boys state high school
champion Chan Kim from Kaimuki High School and Sean Maekawa from
Honokaa High School, amongst other very talented “young guns.”
I once had the opportunity to play with the 6-foot, 2-inch Chan, who hits the
ball a very long way. Chan told me that Tadd at 5-feet, 1-inch tall is about as
long as him! The two friends even paired up last year to win the HPLGA Four
Ball Championship – an adult event!
Local girls also captured national headlines, such as Kimberly Kim, who became
the youngest winner of the U.S. Womenʼs
Amateur Championship at Pumpkin Ridge
Golf Club at the age of 14.
Stephanie Kono, who set several all-time
Hawaii high school records enroute to her
2006 individual state championship, also
made her mark nationally with her perforSee “Junior,” Continued on Page 3
Chan Kim has the physical attributes
to become a star. (808Golf Photo)
Mission of the David S. Ishii Foundation
A non-profit corporation whose primary mission is to
promote and advance the game of golf, and to educate
the public as to its benefits to society.
I could learn to handle it during other
tournaments,” Kua describes. “I felt at
ease after the first round and settled
in nicely, shooting 1-under to qualify
for match play.”
Maekawa also learned a lot about
himself by his participation. “I can
say that I used to be very scared to
go up to the mainland to compete,
because I thought that kids from the
mainland were just way better than I
was,” Maekawa admits. “...I realized
that all golfers, no matter what age
or level, are just people and there’s Sean Maekawa (808Golf Photo)
no reason to feel inferior to anyone.
So, having that kind of mindset has
helped me to feel better about myself
when competing in different places and
tournaments.”
Both Kua and Maekawa say they
learned enduring life lessons as well
as great memories of their experience
at the 2006 Boys U.S. Junior Amateur
Championships.
“Overall, the whole experience of
qualifying and being there was tre- T.J. Kua (808Golf Photo)
mendous,” Kua concludes. I am really
looking forward to qualifying again next
year, especially because the qualifying site is at my home course, Wailua
Municipal Golf Course. At this moment,
I feel confident that I will play well in
the upcoming years, especially with the
experience I had at the U.S.G.A. Junior
Amateur Championship.”
Maekawa agrees, “Participating in
such an awesome event has allowed me
to discover more things about the game
of golf as well as myself and has allowed
me to become a better golfer and person. I truly appreciate the David S. Ishii
Foundation for giving me this opportunity
to share my overall experience and for
the support that it has offered.”
Note: Fujikawa is also eligible to
apply to the DSIF for a Boys U.S. Junior
Amateur travel stipend. At that time, he
will also be submitting a narrative report
on his experiences – just as Kua and
Maekawa have – as well as a summary
of his travel expenses.
Scholarships Honoring Gee
and Ito Get Assist from DSIF
the schoolʼs newswriting program and a member of the
golf team. Cachero attends the University of Hawaii at
Manoa.
The memory of longtime Honolulu sportswriters Bill
Gee of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin and Monte Ito of the
Honolulu Advertiser is perpetuated via two scholarship
programs named in their honor. Each year, the scholarships are awarded to students whose interests combine
an appreciation of both journalism and golf. The scholarships, $1,500 each, are funded by the Honolulu Star
Bulletin and Honolulu Advertiser, respectively, and administered by the David S. Ishii Foundation, a non-profit,
tax-exempt, 501c3 organization.
The 2006 Monte Ito Memorial Scholarship was
presented to Christopher Kobayashi of Kaneohe by David
Ishii at the DSIF tournament banquet. Kobayashi double
majors in journalism and English at the University of
Northern Colorado. He is an avid golfer, who was once a
member of the McKinley High School golf team.
The 2006 Bill Gee Memorial Scholarship was presented to Ruel Cachero of Kalihi. Cachero recently graduated
from Farrington High School, where he was a member of
DSIF Boys U.S. Junior
Amateur Travel Stipend Info
The DSIF U.S. Junior Amateur Travel Stipend for
Boys is open to all male junior golfers who are residents
of the State of Hawaii and who have been upstanding citizens in the community. Awards will not exceed $500 per
qualifier. Applicants must submit a completed application
and tournament entry form. Selection will be determined
by sectional qualifying results and tournament participation.
All recipients must turn in a written report within 30
days of the tournament completion. This report should
include the tournament experience, personal results and a
summary of expenses.
Questions can be directed to: Guy Yamamoto, DSIF
Junior Golf Travel Stipend for Boys Committee Chair,
Phone 688-2104.
6 – Through the Green, February 2007, Vol. 6
Moanalua Girls Take 2006 DSIF/HHSAA Title
The Moanalua High School girls golf team put
together rounds of 225-226 – 451 stroke total to
take the 2006 DSIF/HHSAA Girls Golf championship, held May 9-10, 2006, at the Turtle Bay
Resortʼs Fazio Course. Moanalua edged runner-up
Punahou by two strokes. Punahou could not hold
on to its slim first round lead, finishing 224-229
– 453. Maui High School captured third (253-234
– 487).
Punahou sophomore Stephanie
Kono set a tournament record by
firing an 8-underpar 64 enroute
Head coach Joshua Suapaia and the winning Moanalua girls
to winning the
golf team. (Photos by Joey Itagaki)
individual crown.
Konoʼs 64-72 – 136 also set a girls two-round record. Kristina Merkle from the
David addresses the audience victorious Moanalua team came in second individually (71-72 – 143), and Miki
Ueoka of Kauai High School took third (76-71 – 147).
at the awards presentation.
Baldwin is 2006 DSIF/HHSAA Boys Champion
Baldwin High School of Maui captured top
team honors at the 2006 DSIF/HHSAA Boys
Golf Championship, held at the Turtle Bay
Resortʼs Palmer Course, May 16-17, 2006.
The victory was Baldwinʼs first-ever state
high school golf team championship. Baldwin put together a two-day total of 305-309–
614. Punahou High
School was second
(303-312–615)
and in third place
was 2005 state
champion Kauai
High School (309(L-R) David Ishii, Coach Tom Nakamoto, Baldwin team members,
314–623).
and HHSAA Executive Director Keith Amemiya (far right).
(L-R): Friendly rivals
Moanalua's Tadd Fujikawa and Kaimuki's Chan
Kim.
Kaimuki High Schoolʼs Chan Kim took the boyʼs individual title by firing 4-under par
68-72–140. Runner up was Sean Maekawa from Honokaa High School on the Big
Island who shot 2-under par 74-68–142. Moanaluaʼs Tadd Fujikawa rounded out the
top three with 1-under par 71-72–143.
Through the Green, February 2007, Vol. 6 – 3
“Juniors,” Continued from Page 2
mances at the U.S. Womenʼs Publinx, U.S. Womenʼs Amateur, and her victory at the prestigious Joanne Winter Silver Belle Championship in Arizona.
Other teens of note include Cyd Okino, who won the 2006 Hawaii State Open Womenʼs
Division at the age of 13, and 17-year-old Ayaka Kaneko, who advanced to the quarterfinals
of the 2006 U.S. Womenʼs Amateur Championship and has been invited to qualify in a few
LPGA events this year.
There are more players that I should be listing here – but my point is that this amazing
outburst of talent and success is due to the support that parents, coaches and the community
has put into junior golf and high school golf. Not all of these players have played in the state
tournament or received a scholarship from our foundation, but your support does matter and
does play a part in the tremendous success of Hawaiiʼs junior golfers.
Finally, more than the victories, I believe that golfʼs greatest value to our society is its
emphasis on values and character. Our young champions conduct themselves with class and
humility when they are cast before the national media. Watching sports on TV, I see more and
more violent play and self-serving practices such as endzone celebrations and taunting opponents and opposing fans. Well, thereʼs no taunting in golf... and I think there is value in that.
Stephanie Kono (HHSAA
Photo by RebelShots.com)
MAHALO 2006 TOURNAMENT SPONSORS
PLATINUM
Yasuko Asada
GOLD
Brian “Joe” Baker
First Hawaiian Bank
SILVER
Aman Resorts
Big Island Candies
ECD Hawaii, Inc.
Elton T. Tanaka
Hawaiian Telcom
International Union of Painters and
Allied Trades
Katsumi & Reiko Kaneko
Plumbers and Fitters Local 675
BRONZE
Advantage Webco Hawaii
Aisen Shiatsu School
Alex Brenner
Allstate Kahala
Ameron International
BEI
B. Hayman
Central Pacific Bank
Commercial Roofing + Waterproofing
Hawaii Inc
Commercial Sheetmetal Co., Inc.
Fetal Diagnostic Institute of the
Pacific
Flora-Dec Sales, Inc.
Fujisawa & Associates, LLC
Dr. Yutaka Hamano
Warren Haruki
Hawaii Marketing Associates
Hawaiian Sun
HGEA
HHSAA
Helen & Charles Higa
Horizon Lines
Carey and Iris Inouye
Jayar Construction, Inc.
Kauai Producers Ltd.
Quentin Kawananakoa
Koga Engineering
Gary Komoto & Family
Matson Navigation Company
Morgan Stanley / Thomas McCarthy
Pacific Transfer
Pizza Hut & Taco Bell
RK Sales Inc.
Royal Contracting Co., Ltd.
Sato & Associates, Inc.
Tamura Super Market
Tanioka Seafoods & Catering
Travel Ways
Troy & Tracy Tanji
Weyerhauser
Yamasato Fujiwara Higa & Associates
Randal Yanagisawa
Hole-In-One
Japan Airlines
Pflueger Auto Value Center
A Word About Our Newsletter
Welcome to the sixth edition of Through the Green, the offical newsletter of the David S. Ishii Foundation. The USGA
defines the phrase “through the green” as “the entire golf course, except for tees, greens and designated hazards.” In
tournament play, the phrase is used to mean that everything else is “in play.”
Through the Green is the Foundation’s way of saying to Hawaii’s young golfers: pursue your goals, play it as it lies,
and strive to be the best you can along the way...
4 – Through the Green, February 2007, Vol. 6
2006 DSIF Tournament Donors
Aisen Shiatsu School (Fumihiko
Indei)
Alan Wong’s Restaurant (Alan
Wong)
Anheuser Busch
Carole Arakawa
Dayton Asato
Bank of Hawaii (Alton Kuioka)
Big City Diner (Mark Sasaki)
Big Island Candies (Allan Ikawa)
Canon USA Inc. (Jeff Fukui)
Castle & Cooke Resorts - Golf
Courses (Dough Stephenson)
Classic Resorts Limited (Peter Rice)
Cooke Island Distributors (John
Schroeder)
Daiwa Seiko Inc.
Del-Marc Fujita Enterprises
Des Mahoney Golf Instruction (Des
Mahoney)
Kevin Endo
John Fink (KHNL/KFVE TV)
Footjoy (Keith Kodani)
Francis H. I’I Brown Golf Courses
(Dennis Rose)
Frito Lay (Damon Ng)
Art Fujita
Germaine’s Luau. Inc. (Toby Kusaka)
Golf Concepts (Jay Hinazumi)
Grove Farm Company (Warren
Haruki)
Howard Hamada
Craig & Karlyn Hamamoto
Hawaii Kai Golf Course (Peter
Suemori)
Hawaiian Springs (Roger Morey)
Hawaiian Sun (Brian Tsuruda)
Hawaiian Tel FCU (Norman
Okimoto)
HHSAA (Keith Amemiya)
Helen & Charles Higa
Mr. & Mrs. Edwin Higashino
Honolulu Country Club (Gary
Brown)
Hualalai Resort Jack Nicklaus
Signature Course (Jeremy
Sosner)
Glenn & Lynne Inouye
David S. Ishii
Island Air (Bernie Worley/Les
Murashige)
Ito-en
Japan Airlines (Gilbert Kimura)
Coach June Jones
K & S Golf Hawaii (Henry
Komenaka)
Kaanapali Golf Courses (Chris
Smallmon)
Katsumi & Reiko Kaneko
Micky M. Kanemaru, D.D.S.
Kapalua (Thomas Juliano)
Kevin Kashiwai
Kauai Lagoons Golf Club (Kenneth
Kimura)
Karen Keawehawaii LLC
Kiahuna Golf Club (Ron Castillo, Jr.)
Rodney Kim
King Nissan (Bill Mickelsen)
Koa Trading Co., Inc. (Peter
Yukimura)
Kop Distributors (Brandan & Gail
Kop)
KSSK (Michael W. Perry / Larry Price)
KTA Super Stores (Barry Taniguchi)
Kuki’o Golf & Beach Club (Casey
Paulson)
Let’s Eat Hawaii (James Lee & Sam
Choy)
Makaha Valley Country Club
(Yoshio Sano)
Makalei Golf Club (Kevin Ginoza)
Makena Resort & Golf Course (Scott
Bridges)
Manpro Audio (Mike Nacapuy)
Matson Navigation Company (Cliff
Mattos)
Maui Lani Golf Course LLC (David
Gleason)
Mauna Kea Resort (Ted McAneeley)
Thomas McCarthy
Beth & Chris McLachlin
Greg Meyer (JGTO)
Mililani Golf Club (Alvin Kitamura)
Tad & Margaret Miura
Clark Miyazaki
MMK Maui L.P. (Rick Castillo)
Ken & Michele Morikami
Melvyn Nagata
Nishimoto Trading Co. (Gareth
Hanano)
Noguchi & Associates, Inc.
Oahu Country Club (Andrew
Feldman)
Oahu Interscholastic Association
(Dwight Toyama)
Oakley (Jason Sakamoto)
Oishi’s Property Mgmt. Corp (Carol
Yamane)
Garret Omuro
Ono Hawaiian Food
Paradise Beverages
Pearl Country Club (Kevin Kashiwai)
Pepsi Cola (Lloyd Higa)
Pint Size Corporation (Don Kim)
Poipu Bay Golf Course / Kawailoa
Development (Myles Shibata)
Samuel W. Pratt
Larry Price
Princeville Golf Course (Michael
Castillo)
Pro Am Golf Shop (Nathan
Yoshioka)
Progressive Marketing, Inc. (Vincent
Yim)
Puakea Golf Course (Paul Ito)
Mike Reid (Champions Tour)
Dianne Reilly
Rolfing Sports, Inc. (Mark Rolfing)
Sand & Seaside Hotel (Alan Kimi)
Sansei Seafood Restaurant & Sushi
Bar (DK & Lori Kodama)
James & Audrey Seki
Sheraton Hotels & Resorts (Jason
Ito)
Paul Shinseki
Yoshie Shirai
See "Donors," on next page
Through the Green, February 2007, Vol. 6 – 5
"Donors," continued
Scott Simpson (Champions Tour)
SN Golf (Scott Nishimura)
Roy Sonomura
Suemori & Inouye, Inc.
Paul Sugimoto
Dr. Ryan Sumida
Surfrider Golf Shop (Gerald
Arakawa & Jan Nagato
Cary T. Tanaka
Keith Tanaka (Roots & Relics)
TaylorMade (Eric Yasunaga)
TD Food Group, inc. (Robyn Taba)
Keith Teranishi
The First Tee of Oahu (Ken Zitz)
The Pint Size Corporation (Clayton
Kim)
Tip Top Café & Bakery (Jonathan
Ota)
Titleist Hawaii (Les Tamashiro)
Wendell Tom
Gerald Tomosawa
Tori Richard (Mark Troedson))
Travel Ways (Marc Shimamoto)
Waiakea High School Athletic
Boosters
Waialae Country Club (Ray Suzuki)
Waikoloa Beach & Golf Resort
(David Pritchett)
Waikoloa Village Golf Course (Fran
Cipro)
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
Art & Signs
Dayton Asato
Kevin Carll
Daiwa Seiko Inc.
Kelsey Deguchi
TJ Kua
Chris McLachlin
Garret Omuro
Pearl Country Club
Glenn Sakaguchi
Sam Choy’s Restaurants
(Sally Watanabe)
Spencer Shishido
Dean Wilson
Zippy’s Restaurants
Wailea Golf LLC (Barry Helle)
Wailua Golf Course (Ed Okamoto)
Yamasato Fujiwara Higa &
Associates
Ray Yamashiro
Yanagi Sushi, Inc.
Renee Yanagisawa
Rudy & Pauline Yanagisawa
Tatsuhiro & Hiro Yoshida
Zippy’s Restaurants (Charley Higa)
Save This Date!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
7th Annual
David S. Ishii Foundation
Golf Tournament
Pearl Country Club
2006 DSIF Golf Tournament Volunteers
Natasha Ahston
James Bac
Jeremy Bac
Peter Balding
Keri Castillo
Ron Chinen
Alex Chu
Les Chung
Grandpa Chung
Ted Ganade
Yvonne Ganade
Blaine Gier
Charlotte Gier
Watson Gier
Kacie Harada
Jaron Harada
Alexis Hazelwood
Martha Hernandez
Ryan Hironaka
Matt Ho
Eric Imada
Sara Inouye
Robb Inouye
Kensey Inouye
Cheryl Inouye
John Kaaikala
Susan Kau
Brian Kau
Annie Kraciw
Stan Kua
Kory Kuroiwa
Teri Kuroiwa
Bryzonn Lau
Travis Liu
Chris Martin
Caressa Matsuoka
Spencer Mclachlin
Albert Moniz
Kayla Morikami
Michele Morikami
Michelle Morinaga
Ashlee Nagamine
Eleanor Nagata
Mel Nagata
Len Nakahara
Ross Nakahara
Lea Nakashige
Claudette Nishigaya
Adam Nishigaya
Margaret Nosaka
Matt Oyadomari
David Pawlak
Ashford Rita
Scott Seki
Spencer Shishido
Charlotte Shishido
Jason Tanaka
Futi Tavana
Mark Tanji
Jayce Teruya
Aaron Tom
John Vu
Mabel Yawata
Randy Yawata
Kyle Yawata
Matt Yen