Remembering a great Lahaina coach

Dr. John Morris was the best coach. It was late summer in Lahaina, and on a hot Wednesday afternoon, about 30 boys from Honokahua to Lahaina to Olowalu turned out for preseason Pop Warner Football. It was 1965, and Lahaina’s Pop Warner had not done too well as of late. We checked in and got our helmets.

Looking out on the field, we were amazed at the sight of a tall guy sprinting from goal to goal. Running like a deer, fast and smooth, then gliding to a slow trot. We had never seen ANYONE run like that. Shortly, he comes over and is introduced as a new assistant coach.

He looked us over and said, “Well, you’re not big but you will be great blockers, tacklers, and you will be fast.” So it began. We practiced hard, we got our fundamentals down, and by the time we opened in Wailuku, we were ready. Lahaina beat Wailuku that day, 16-0. First time. Great defense led by nose guard Anthony Kekona from Honokahua, and a solid running attack led by Randy Casco. Coach Morris taught me audibles – to change the play at the line. He taught all of us how to play football – good, real good.

We went undefeated until our last game, losing to Kahului. Dr. Morris went on to coach at Lahainaluna. He was a great, great coach. He was a doctor on Maui working with the Maui Medical Group. He was a star football player at Cornell University, a member of the United States Olympic track team, medalist, and played flanker for the Pittsburgh Steelers. He practiced medicine, raised a family and coached on Maui until relocating to Honolulu. His grandson played quarterback at Punahou.

Dr. Morris is now with his maker above, but I still see him in my mind, sprinting across that hot football field in a hot Lahaina afternoon, showing us boys the path to victory. Aloha, Sir!

RICHARD IACONETTI, West Maui

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DOT plans to bypass popular stretch of highway

The state Department of Transportation recently reported at a public meeting that the next phase of the Lahaina Bypass would bypass a popular fishing spot on the Pali/Lahaina shoreline drive. But it would bypass much more – the world treasure of a long stretch of shoreline drive from Olowalu to Lahaina, where people can not only fish but stop anywhere to view, beach, surf, swim or campout.

Without the existing highway and assurance of all beach access, it could be like from Lahaina to Kapalua for the public – limited or no access to the beach or shoreline.

In addition, the wide shoulder serving as a bike lane of the existing shoreline drive would be lost in its continuity and with the bike lanes of the rest of the island, and bikes would not be allowed on the new bypass, as they are not on the present one.

Developers/landowners are anxious to “develop” between the bypass and the shore. But the existing highway could be maintained and only moved where necessary a distance needed to preserve the shore. The land between the adjusted present highway and the shore should be left for the people – natural and for parks and parking.

The present first phase of the Lahaina Bypass only goes from just south of Lahaina to Keawe Street, the busiest intersection in mid-Lahaina. The Department of Transportation’s planned new phase of the Lahaina Bypass would not bypass any of Lahaina, but only the public’s shoreline drive. The new phase of the Lahaina Bypass should instead extend from Keawe Street north, which would assist the flow of Kaanapali, Kahana, Napili and Kapalua traffic and ease the traffic in Lahaina.

The department’s next phase, as planned, would still be two lanes, but once expanded, could increase flow into Lahaina, like H1 on Oahu, converting Lahaina into a “mini-Honolulu.”

Having been in Lahaina in the early 1960s, I can attest that in that time, Lahaina Town itself has retained its charm and changed very little – less than any other town or city that I have ever seen. We need to be careful what we wish for.

GEORGE S. LAVENSON. Lahaina

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An open letter to our new president-elect

You are elected to lead this great nation. The campaign season is over. As you prepare to lead us, please consider carrying with you these four questions as guidelines of the things you think, say and do for your presidency and for your administration.

First, is it the truth? Seek the truth at every opportunity and then tell us. We can handle the truth.

Second, is it fair to all concerned? We like to be treated fairly, and that one effort could lead to your reelection.

Third, will it build goodwill and better friendships throughout our country and the world? We Americans feel friendly towards others and want others to consider us friends. A smile, a conversation, listening to the aspirations of others is a step in this direction.

Fourth, will it be beneficial to all concerned? Truth, fairness and goodwill are important, but please take the extra step to try to benefit all stakeholders – both within this country and all over the planet.

You have earned the right to lead us, and we are here to help, as we also seek to live by these principles. We wish you well.

AL JUBITZ, War Prevention Initiative & Rotarian Action Group for Peace

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Mahalo for supporting the Aloha Team Classic

Beyond the Rainbow Foundation would like to thank all those that participated in and supported this year’s 11th annual Aloha Team Classic on Oct. 17-20, during which over $11,000 was raised to help Maui’s youth.

Participants enjoyed the four-day event that started with the Sunset Welcome Reception donated by Pi Artisan Pizzeria. Golf followed the next three days at King Kamehameha Golf Club, Kaanapali Golf Courses’ Royal Course and Kapalua Golf’s Plantation Course, with lunch afterwards each day provided by King Kamehameha Golf Club, Roy’s Kaanapali Restaurant and the Plantation House Restaurant. Many of the participants participated in an optional dinner at Sansei Kapalua, and the event concluded with the Anuenue Gala held at the Sheraton Maui Resort.

In particular, Beyond the Rainbow Foundation would like to thank the People for Educational Equality Foundation for co-hosting the Anuenue Gala. Working together, the two organizations brought together over 65 participants for the evening, which included cocktails, dinner, a desert bar and dancing into the evening to the wonderful entertainment provided by Jimmy Mac and the Kool Kats.

Thank you to all of the above mentioned venues for supporting this effort as well as Gray Line Tours (Polynesian Adventure Tours) for providing the bus to and from KKGC, as well as the following organizations that provided prizes and welcome gifts for the event; Aston Kaanapali Shores, Beach Club Restaurant, Duke’s Beach House Restaurant, Grand Wailea Resort, Honu/Mala Ocean Tavern/Frida’s Restaurants, Kapalua Golf, Longs Drug Store, Maui Chips Company, Maui Paradise Properties, Maui Printing, Maui Soda, Maui Wowie Candy, Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua, Warren & Annabelle’s, Whalers Locker and the Wine Palette Kapalua.

Monies raised by Beyond the Rainbow Foundation are granted to agencies across the island that are focused on “Helping Maui’s youth realize the promise of their future!” The foundation is an all-volunteer organization, with all of the net proceeds going to help our keiki.

The foundation is much appreciative of all the volunteers that worked to make this event possible and encourages anyone that would like to join the effort in the future to contact the foundation.

BEYOND THE RAINBOW FOUNDATION, Lahaina