Hoops season dedicated to Sindiong

Sindiong
Kahi Sindiong defined the word gentleman, and at the same time, manifested the essential Hawaiian values of aloha (sharing the breath of life) and malama pono (nurturing that which is good and righteous).
A kind, soft-spoken soul, Sindiong spent much of his adult life mentoring the children of the West Side as a youth baseball and basketball coach. He also taught the keiki of Lahaina Canoe Club the important core culture and values of the Hawaiian outrigger canoe.
Sadly, Kahi Sindiong lost his battle with cancer last July.
Born and raised on Oahu, Kahi was the oldest son of Jane and Crispolo Sindiong’s four children. Kelsey “Kahi” Sindiong attended Kamehameha Schools-Kapalama and then went on to Loyola Marymount University. Degree in hand, he then pursued a career in hotel management here on Maui, working at the Hyatt Regency Maui, Kaanapali Beach Hotel and Napili Kai Beach Resort.
His passion became his involvement with the youth of the community in the West Maui Little League Baseball, West Maui Youth Basketball Association and Lahaina Canoe Club organizations. In particular, Kahi’s peaceful warrior presence was felt in the WMYBL where he coached for 11 years and in all three divisions. He was voted “Coach of the Year” three times by his peers.
“We’re dedicating this season to Kahi’s memory,” explained WMYBL Commissioner Don Rosenthal last week. “He won’t be remembered as just a coach, but as a mentor to all he came in contact with. His love for the kids was just awesome. If you played for him, coached alongside him or had children that played for him, you were blessed. He truly was an uncle, a brother and a friend to all. If you ever needed anything, you could count on Kahi to be there for you.”
“He was the essence of our program in that he always maintained our core values of sportsmanship, ethics and teamwork. Kahi was a kindhearted person that worked well with the less fortunate in our community, and was much requested by parents to be their children’s coach.
“We will sorely miss his presence here in the gym, but above all of our sorrow, we will celebrate what he has meant to this program, and to all of us who were fortunate enough to know him. We’ll wear his name on all of the coaches’ and volunteers’ shirts to commemorate him. So, no tears — that’s how Kahi would want it.
“Kahi, you will always be in our hearts and prayers,” said Rosenthal. “See you in Heaven!”