Scott Soldwisch began his tenure at Lahainaluna High School as a history teacher and coach in 1991.

LAHAINA — After a sterling career as a teacher, coach and administrator that stretched over three decades, Lahainaluna High School Athletic Director Scott Soldwisch will retire at the end of this month.

Beginning in 1991, Soldwisch, 57, began his tenure at the historic campus as a history teacher and coach.

Next, he moved on to the administrative post directing the Athletic Department.

He came to Maui after earning a Bachelor’s Degree in History from Westmont College and a Master’s in History at Villanova University.

Soldwisch also was a pitcher on the Westmont baseball team and a golf enthusiast.

That attraction to the links drew him to the Valley Isle and the burgeoning golf resorts at Kapalua, Kaanapali and Wailea. He signed on at Kapalua during the “Caddyshack” era of the mid-1980s that signaled the beginning of an illustrious career as a youth sports supporter.

Along with teaching social studies at Lahainaluna, Soldwisch coached baseball, basketball and golf.

He mentored West Side kids in the community with the West Maui Youth Athletic Association and attended to the inception and development of the Lahaina Junior Golf Association that is today one of Maui’s foremost keiki programs.

He became the Lunas’ assistant athletic director to Joe Balangitao and later to Alan Kawaguchi over a ten-year span before accepting the A.D. position at Maui High.

Shortly thereafter, Coach Scott returned to Lahainaluna to take over as athletic director to carry on the traditions set in the previous administrations of Joe Balangitao and Derrick Montalvo.

His return to Lahainaluna coincided with a marked rise in the integrity of the sports programs.

Guided and influenced by Luna luminaries such as Principal and former Athletic Director Henry “Bruno” Ariyoshi; history teacher and cultural advisor Andrew Kutsunai; preceding Athletic Directors Balangitao, Alan Kawaguchi and Derrick Montalvo; Principal Michael Nakano; Maui Interscholastic League Executive Director Stephen Kim, and countless others, the Luna Big Red achieved success on several fronts during the first decades of the 2000s.

There were MIL titles across the board and numerous state championships, including the unprecedented four consecutive state football championships, a girls basketball state title, wrestling gold medals and a canoe paddling state championship.

Groundbreaking facilities improvements were highlighted by the unveiling of Sue D. Cooley Stadium, a state-of-the art athletic facility on campus, renovations to the Jimmie H. Greig Gymnasium, construction of a new locker room and physical fitness training facility, and an on-campus softball field.

“Lahainaluna is such a special place,” said Coach Scott, in reflection of his 30 years there. “All those important values such as sportsmanship, work ethic and respect are all parts of the traditions and expectations here. And the community support that all of the teams get is very special.”

“I just can’t thank all of the staff at Lahainaluna enough for the support and encouragement they’ve given to me. Everyone has always been so welcoming and supportive of the athletic programs here. Everybody works hard, has discipline and represents the pride of the community.”

“My special thanks goes out to all the coaches, Principal Jeri Dean, and Trainer and Assistant Athletic Director Jon Conrad for their support throughout the years. It has been inspiring to see the hard work that all of the teams put in, especially in the off season. Thank you, Lahaina!”

Mahalo to you, Coach Scott, wife Mylene, children Dillon and Aryia and grandchildren Rori and Nohea.