Almost all of Oahu's 21 public high school athletic programs now have full-time nationally certified trainers on the job. Move leaves McKinley
By Pat Bigold
Tigers without a trainer
Star-BulletinBut in an ironic turn of events, McKinley High School, is one of the few without a trainer two weeks into the football season.
McKinley is the same school that was involved a few years ago in the largest settlement the state has ever been known to pay in a prep football injury lawsuit.
In 1993, an out-of-court settlement sources put at just under $1 million was made with the family of a Tiger player who suffered a paralyzing injury during a 1989 scrimmage.
McKinley athletic director Neal Takamori said last night he is concerned because he does not even have a list from which to seek an emergency hire.
The football team is undefeated and a strong contender for the Oahu Interscholastic Association White Conference title.
McKinley, among the first 15 schools appropriated trainers in a pilot program started in 1992, lost its full-time trainer in a transfer to Kaimuki three weeks ago.
Takamori, who was one of the league's most vocal advocates in the effort to put trainers in the state's remaining 25 public high schools, has been beating the bushes to find a certified trainer. He said that without a list from the Department of Education, this task is especially difficult.
He cited "procedure" as the reason he has not yet been granted a list.
Requirements are that trainers be certified by the National Athletic Trainers Association. A college degree is a must.
Neighbor island schools have received limited lists of applicants for their trainer positions. Several neighbor island ADs contacted by the Star-Bulletin said it will be next month before they have people on the job.
Only five schools outside Oahu had trainers prior to this year.
ADs from Baldwin, Molokai, King Kekaulike, Hana and Lanai high schools met to conduct joint telephone interviews with their short list applicants.
Baldwin AD Jon Garcia said only three applicants were from Hawaii and none was available.
That left six mainland candidates who indicated they are still interested in moving to Hawaii. It will take at least three weeks to bring in these applicants.
Garcia has offered his trainer position to a Vermont woman.
Kapaa High AD Dwight Fujii, whose school is currently involved in a soccer injury lawsuit, said he finally has a trainer.
She is Mele Kaui Lord, a certified trainer, a Kapaa alumna and a Linfield College graduate.
WONG OUT: Iolani quarterback Marvin Wong, the third leading passer in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu last year with 1,070 yards and nine touchdowns, sustained a broken left arm going for a fumble five minutes into Friday's 21-0 victory over Damien.
The 6-foot-2, 180-pound senior, a right-hander, is presumed out for the season.
"It was a freaky play," said Iolani head coach Wendell Look who has tapped sophomore Ben Karmuth to replace Wong.
Barry will work with head coach Chris Neid, who was his assistant at Iolani for seven years and once played for him on the Raiders' varsity.