The students, teachers and administration have come and gone at Hilo High, but the voice has remained the same.
The students, teachers and administration have come and gone at Hilo High, but the voice has remained the same.
Since 1979, Royden Okunami has been a fixture at sporting events for his beloved alma mater.
The “Voice of the Vikings” is poised to step down as public address announcer after 38 seasons, and Okunami will be honored Saturday night at Afook-Chinen Auditorium at a halftime ceremony during the boys championship game of the Hilo High Holiday Prep Classic
Okunami, 82, has worked for 10 different athletic directors and was also an assistant coach on the Hilo boys basketball team in 2000 that captured the HHSAA championship.
During Saturday’s ceremony – the title game starts at 7:30 p.m. – Okunami will receive a mayor’s proclamation and gifts from Hilo AD Kurt Kawachi and well as others.
Okunami will call games for the Vikings through the baseball season.