The Big Island Sports Hall of Fame recognizes the men and women who have contributed to promoting sports and sportmanship on the Big Island. ADVERTISING The Big Island Sports Hall of Fame recognizes the men and women who have contributed
The Big Island Sports Hall of Fame recognizes the men and women who have contributed to promoting sports and sportmanship on the Big Island.
The legacies of local greats such as Nobu Yamauchi, Larry Manliguis, Hamilton Manley, Leilani Southward, Daphne Honma, Wayne Joseph and more are kept alive by the nonprofit organization. But the Hall of Fame Wall, featuring the photos and names of those local legends, is currently in storage.
Last month, the wall, located at Prince Kuhio Plaza, was taken down and put into storage, according to Hall of Fame president Jerry Chang. Increased costs and lack of funding are the primary reasons for the wall’s status, he said.
“The management of Prince Kuhio Plaza informed us that the area where the wall is located (near the entrance of International House of Pancakes and Macy’s) will be leased to the new Pier 1 Imports store,” Chang said.
The mall’s managers offered the Hall of Fame an alternative, larger wall, but at double the cost it had been charging before.
“We are currently paying $250 a month for the wall space, which we are outgrowing — one of the reasons we have not inducted a new class since 2011,” Chang said.
Funding for the installation and rent for the wall came primarily from private donors and a major contributor, KTA Super Stores.
“Until we can establish other sources to sustain the wall, or a new, less expensive site, the wall will be kept in storage,” Chang said.
The Big Island Sports Hall of Fame was founded in the late 1990s by the late Jack Matsui, to honor members of the Big Island who have positively impacted the local athletic community. Until the wall was taken down, 128 awardees were displayed upon it.
After about eight years, the wall was mothballed when managers at Prince Kuhio Plaza decided to begin charging for the use of wall space, according to Hall of Fame organizers. It was reinstated at a special ceremony on May 22, 2010.
Donations to pay for a new wall space are being accepted at Big Island Sports Hall of Fame, 969 Kinoole St., Hilo, HI 96720, or through Treasurer Ellsworth Fontes at 935-5519.
In mid-August, Prince Kuhio Plaza General Manager Kimberly Shimabuku confirmed that furniture and gift store Pier 1 Imports planned to move into the space occupied by the Sure Foundation church.
Pier 1’s most recent additions have been in Hawaii — with two stores opening in May in Kapolei and Lihue. There are also locations in Pearl City, Honolulu, Kailua, Kahului and Kailua-Kona.
