Community rallies behind Dragons announcer after theft

KAILUA-KONA — A Honokaa man is overwhelmed by the community support he’s received after ranting on Facebook about the theft of public address equipment from his home earlier this week.

Dominic Yagong, known as the “Voice of the Honokaa Dragons,” has emceed Honokaa High School sporting events with his own equipment since 1992. On Tuesday afternoon, he discovered a cordless microphone, sound mixer and speaker were stolen from his home.

The estimated cost of the stolen property is $2,400.

After reading about the theft in Big Island newspapers, many people called and messaged him on Facebook offering equipment and money to help replace what he lost, Yagong said.

“It makes you feel like people appreciate and believe in what you do,” said Yagong, a former County Council member and chairman. “It’s been a positive experience.”

One person who came forward to help is Honokaa High alumnus Raymond Kawamata. He said he read about Yagong’s plight and immediately contacted police who in turn directed him to Yagong.

Kawamata offered to give Yagong $2,500 to repurchase equipment.

“When I read the story, it struck a note,” Kawamata said. “I can understand the situation. When people take away a resource like Dominic, it strikes the community hard.”

The next home boys basketball game is Monday against the Ka‘u Trojans. Yagong hopes to have a new system at least by Jan. 13 when Honokaa faces Hawaii Preparatory Academy in a rematch of last year’s championship game. The Dragons defeated Ka Makani by one point with no time on the clock.

“It was a really exciting game,” Yagong said.

Email Tiffany DeMasters at tdemasters@westhawaiitoday.com.