LAHAINA — The altruistic nature of the Aloha State shines through in many ways. This “give back” mentality is manifested here on the West Side in the continuing care of Sue D. Cooley Stadium by volunteer organizations such as the Lahainaluna High School Foundation and the Friends of Lahainaluna Football.

Situated on campus at the base of the West Maui Mountains and Puu Kukui where the “L” and the grave site of David Malo are located, Sue D. Cooley Stadium reflects the aloha and steadfast traditions of the Lahaina community. Featuring the pristine view plain down to Lahaina Town and across the channel to the island of Lanai, it is considered one of the top high school athletic facilities in the state and across the nation.

It was built through the immense generosity of Auntie Sue Cooley and has been steadfastly maintained by the aforementioned organizations since its inception 2008.

It has been a joyous football decade throughout, featuring 11 straight Maui Interscholastic League Division II titles and four consecutive Hawaii High School Athletic Association State DII Championships.

The volunteers work at cleanups every third Saturday of each month, and the most recent effort featured the assistance of the Maui County Fire Department.

Coach Lanny Tihada, the leader of the Friends of Lahainaluna Football, contacted Lahaina MFD Ladder 3 Capt. Geoff Bogar, a LHS graduate and football player for the Lunas, inquiring about getting the department’s aid in cleaning up the stadium.

Due to the lack of rain this year, the stadium has not had the cleansing washoffs of normal times. So Coach Lanny, the high energy thinker that he is, contacted Captain Bogar to see if the MFD might be able to help.

Lahaina Battalion Chief Guy Danley gave the okay, and soon Ladder 3 led by Captain Bogar, and Engine 3 led by Mike Howe, were on the Lahainaluna campus parked at the stadium.

Ladder 3 parked above the facility, while Engine 3 pulled into the stadium parking lot.

The Ladder 3 crew extended the 50- foot ladder over the bleachers and hooked up their hoses to let Lahaina Boy climb the ladder and shoot down the dust and dirt accumulated on the surfaces below.

Meanwhile, the engine crew power-washed the entry areas and parking lot there.

Both efforts sent a muddy stream from the areas flowing into planted areas at the stadium.

“Yeah, the stadium got a nice shower and bath,” said Coach Lanny. “I just thought it was time to get something done, as we haven’t had the normal rainfall we usually get. There was a lot of muddy water coming out, but it looks good now. Many thanks to Chief Danley and the crews for helping out.”