A new monument thanks the Lahainaluna High School faithful for bringing the new scoreboard and flagpole to the Luna softball field. Pictured (from left) are Flint and Lei Nakamura, Rob Shelton, Chalice Delos Reyes, Sammy Kadotani and Joanne Dennis.

LAHAINA — A project to honor the Lahainaluna High School faithful responsible for the state-of-the-art scoreboard and flagpole at the Luna softball field has been completed, and a monument has been built to honor them.

Through the donated effort of Flint Nakamura, the husband of Lady Luna softball coach Lei Nakamura, a monument honoring the donors and supporters of the scoreboard and flagpole has been completed and was unveiled recently in a brief ceremony at the field.

The Lahainaluna High School Foundation donated a bronze plaque listing the contributors’ information, and Flint —who also volunteers to maintain the softball field — stepped forward to complete the construction of the monument.

The scoreboard donors — led by and honoring Sammy and Hatsumi Kadotani — include the Rolfing Foundation, Clifton and Patricia Akiyama, Osamu and Sylvia Tanabe, Mamori and Sue Nagao, Richard and Phyllis Nishihara, Steve and Ashlan Austin, Mike White and the LHS Classes of 1941, ’44, ’56, ’61, ’62 and ’81.

In related news, three Lady Luna softball players traveled to the Mainland this summer to hone their skills with the San Jose Sting, a travel team program in California.

Brenna (left) and Haley Nakamura improved their softball skills with the San Jose Sting over the summer.

Makana Hussey and Brenna and Haley Nakamura spent over two months traveling in California and Colorado to play some 60 games over a two-month span.

According to Coach Lei, the girls stayed in the home of San Jose Sting President and coach Bob Terales with two other Hawaii players and gained valuable experience and exposure for their softball futures.

“It was just unbelievable to have the girls play all summer at such a high level. That time changed their frame of mind to make the commitment and focus at a higher level. Within this environment of being around these selected players was a great experience for the girls and has taken their game to a higher level, and it shows with the attitude they brought back. They want more,” she explained.

Haley played with the Sting 14-and-under team that competed in the USA ASA (Amateur Softball Association) National Tournament at Moline, Illinois, last month. That field included 156 teams from all over the U.S., and the San Jose team fought their way to the championship with a stirring late inning rally.

Meanwhile, sister Brenna played on the Sting 16-and-under team that competed with some 135 other travel programs at College Station, Texas, and Hussey played on the 18-and-under team.

“It was an all-around great experience for them, and I want to continue to build on that to expose more Maui players to it,” concluded Coach Lei.