As the first football pre-season game against Castle High School kicked off, for many the focal point of the evening was not on the games, but was on the stadium renaming and dedication to former Athletic Director John Kauinana, 61.
The ceremony was held in between the JV and Varsity games on the track, where the unveiling of the stadium's new name, John Kauinana Stadium, took place. The stadium was renamed to recognize all of the selfless acts towards the advancement of the school that Kauinana carried out.
Athletic Director Glenn Nitta, successor to Kauinana, said in response to the dedication, "It's something that's been a long time coming. We just felt that he had done so much to put Mililani High School Athletics on the map, to make it one of the best programs in the State."
Kauinana first joined the Trojan staff in 1974 and was the first athletic director and football coach for the school. His numerous accomplishments during his time as director include having a hand in acquiring nearly all of the athletic facilities such as money for the gym, the track, the weight room, the concession stand and even, in part, the dining lanai. His recent retirement in 2001 accumulated 27 years of dedicated service to the school.
"He is such a big-hearted person and it shows because of all the people that want to come and see the dedication. He was so loved and so big-hearted that everyone wants to be there to honor him," said Nitta.
To express their thanks for the fruit of his labors, the Trojan football players also recognized Kauinana through their performance.
Prior to the games, newly instated Head Football Coach Darnell Arceneaux commented, "Hopefully we can recognize him well by playing the kind of football they envisioned so many years ago, to keep our Mililani tradition going." Recognize they did, with an end score of 43 to 6, in Mililani's favor.
As a last word, Arceneaux stressed, "He has been such a father figure, an example, to football coaches, (and) of High Schools for the state."
Also, at the dedication were Kauinana's wife, Sharon, 61, and son Jason, 35, and to bless the stadium was Reverend Solomon Kekoa who spoke of Kauinana's great accomplishments and great heart.
In light of the events a very emotional Kauinana stated with enthusiasm, "It's exciting, even thrilling; it's unbelievable for something like this to happen. It's nice to see all these people come back. I haven't seen a lot of these people in a long time. Seeing all my old players come back and how far they went, it makes me happy."
This distinguished recognition will hopefully give long-standing credit and appreciation towards Kauinana's innumerable tributes to the Trojans.
