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Volleyball mentors launch new program for intermediate school students

By Staff | May 26, 2016

Hano and Charmaine Ganer, leading youth volleyball advocates on the West Side, take a breather during a practice day for the West Maui Youth Volleyball League at Lahaina Civic Center. Over 50 intermediate school age student athletes participated in the inaugural season of the program.

LAHAINA – The cane fire that is youth volleyball on Maui is lighting up the West Side, as West Maui Parks and Recreation leader Sean Gordon launched an intermediate school program for the sport last month.

With instant access to the top facility on the island at the Lahaina Civic Center, Recreation Technician Gordon, assisted by Yolanda Dukes, Kupono Hong, Michelle Gordon, Nakai Young and the Ganer clan, organized the league that drew 44 girls and six boys to form six coed teams to compete in the inaugural season.

“It’s been mostly Lahaina Intermediate kids, but we mixed them all up in the six teams, and we tried to keep it in a recreational theme,” explained Coach Sean recently. “We want to grow the program so more kids participate, and so far things are going well. It’s successful because volleyball on Maui, and especially here on the West Side, is a big family system.”

Indeed, Charmaine and Hano Ganer – two of the area’s leading volleyball advocates, who are instrumental in reviving the sport in Lahaina – help organize and run the league, while their children, Trixie Ganer, Ashley Ganer and Davilynn Ganer, are coaches in the program. Other coach/mentors in the league are Mo Blando, Georgie Kaita and Janice Phillips.

West Maui Parks and Recreation sponsors the league that tipped off on April 20 and will culminate its first year with a season-ending tournament on Saturday, May 28. Trophies will presented to all participants.

“This program is a big family system where the coaches all work to run the league, with the goal centered on getting more volleyball players for Lahainaluna. It’s good to see the Lunas doing well,” added Gordon.