Athletic trainers’
bill goes to Governor

It will increase the number
of specialists to 40

By Pat Bigold
Star-Bulletin

The Legislature sends to the governor today a bill designed to put a full-time certified athletic trainer in each of the state's public high schools.

It's news that's being greeted with genuine excitement by athletic directors who've faced high liability without a trainer on campus.

"I'm going to jump for joy at school when this happens," said Kapaa High School athletic director Dwight Fujino last night. "I can't wait."

The provision in the 1997 education budget bill reported out Friday includes $678,000 for fiscal year 1997-98 and $813,600 for fiscal year 1998-99 to pay for 25 additional "athletic health care specialists."

There have been 15 full-time athletic trainers assigned to Oahu and the neighbor islands since 1993. Those will be retained in the new budget, bringing the statewide total to 40 -- enough to cover every school.

"It's a matter of health and safety for the kids," said Neal Takamori, athletic director at McKinley High School.