Conrad

Malama pono is the highly revered Hawaiian tradition to nurture in a motherly way that which is good and righteous. For 16 years and counting, Lahainaluna High School Athletic Trainer and Assistant Athletic Director Jonathan Conrad has exemplified this noble philosophy in growing health, safety and awareness in the thousands of teenage student athletes in his charge.

A New Englander who arrived on Maui in 1998 bright eyed and pony tailed out of Springfield College with his athletic trainer’s degree, Conrad has evolved into one of Maui County’s top advocates for prolonged optimum health for Lahainaluna student athletes. For his tireless work in caring for the youth of the West Side – and for all of Maui County as well – the community honors him as the 2014 Lahaina News Sportsman of the Year.

He is known as “Trainer Jon” to the teenagers he works to diagnose, stabilize, rehabilitate and counsel; but according to longtime Luna football coach Bobby Watson, “Jon (Conrad) is known amongst us as ‘Coach Jon’ because he is one of our peers. He does so much for all of the teams, but especially for football, he has been tremendous at getting the kids ready to play every season. He is always volunteering his time to help in any area that he can and has been an asset to the success that the football program has had. We couldn’t have done it without him, and this is why we call him ‘Coach Jon.’ “

Lahainaluna High School Athletic Director Scott Soldwisch concurred in saying, “Jon is an outstanding example in his role as assistant athletic director and athletic trainer, as he serves as a liaison to the Maui Interscholastic League and state trainers. He has been a leader and a steadfast advocate for the health and safety – for the present and for the future in vital areas such as concussion awareness- of the student athletes. He has been a tireless worker putting in countless hours at all of our sports events with a keen focus on safety of the kids on the courts and fields of play. Jon has been a pleasure to work with throughout the years, and I’ve never had anybody like him as a partner. He is truly deserving of this recognition.”

Perhaps most important of all, there is no doubt that the parents of all of the Luna athletes share the admiration and appreciation of Watson and Soldwisch in recognizing the care that Coach Jon has given to our children throughout the years. We have all had firsthand experience with the expert athletic medical attention he has given to all of our kids, and we send our sincere appreciation to him for this overdue recognition.

TS Restaurants of Hawaii and California honors Coach Jon as the Lahaina News Sportsman of the Year with gift certificates to their top-rated restaurants here on Maui – Kimo’s, Leilani’s on the Beach, Hula Grill and Duke’s Beach House.

TS Restaurants Vice President Dickie Moon commented, “We are once again thrilled to be a part of the Lahaina News Sportsman of the Year award and send our congratulations on to Jon Conrad. Thank you for all you do to promote a healthy environment and future for all of the kids that you come in contact with.”

Conrad will also receive a custom crafted plaque created by Wendall DeVera and Maui Marking Device.

Aloha and mahalo to Coach Jon from the entire West Side community.