The Big Island Sports Hall of Fame soon will have a new home at Prince Kuhio Plaza. The next step is to find new members.
The Big Island Sports Hall of Fame soon will have a new home at Prince Kuhio Plaza. The next step is to find new members.
The organization is accepting nominations for its first class since 2011 as it moves forward after a period marked by uncertainty and underfunding.
“The turning point was we got enough donations for professional installers and guys to put (pictures) up,” said Jerry Chang, president of the nonprofit BISHOF. “We’re very happy right now. The biggest problem we’ve had is funding.”
Chang was hopeful that by October the class of 2015 could be unveiled along with a rededicating ceremony for the rest of the hall’s members at a new Wall of Fame to be located in the area across from the movie theater ticket booth inside Prince Kuhio Plaza. Pictures of the 128 inductees have been in storage since the past summer when the Wall of Fame at the mall was displaced to make way for the construction of a Pier 1 Imports store.
Chang said the rent will be double the $250 monthly fee the organization paid at the old location, but he said the new site was preferable in size and scope.
“We are thankful to Prince Kuhio Plaza management for allowing us to re-install the new wall in a more visible area,” said Chang, who cited KTA Super Stores as a major contributor.
BISHOF is accepting nominations through Aug. 14, but don’t submit nationally known names such Kolten Wong, Max Unger or BJ Penn just yet.
Respecting the bylaws set forth by founder Jack Matsui, nominees are required to have at least 20 years of volunteer involvement in athletics, either as a coach, teacher or mentor.
“We were comfortable with keeping those requirements,” Chang said.
While the hall’s home is in East Hawaii, Chang stressed that the organization’s intent was to honor those who have promoted and supported athletics islandwide.
“We’ll pick from whoever nominates,” he said. “If people from Kona don’t nominate, we can’t pick them.”
The BISHOF inducted seven members in its 13th class four years ago, but Chang envisioned a scenario where classes were selected every two years with approximately eight members.
He said some members’ pictures were damaged or destroyed in storage, but they’ve either been refurbished or in some cases family members provided new photos.
A book and website detailing hall members is in the works.
The organization is accepting contributions at www.gofundme.com, or they can be sent to Big Island Sports Hall of Fame, 969 Kinoole St., Hilo, HI 96720.
Nominators are asked to send a two-page write-up of the nominee’s background, accomplishments and contributions to the community with an 8-inch by 10-inch picture, color preferred.