Saturday, April 7, 2001

Kamehameha
basketball coach
Agena on leave

Critics complained about
a conflict of interest with
the Kalakaua youth clinic

By Dave Reardon
Star-Bulletin

Kamehameha assistant girls varsity basketball coach Dennis Agena has left the team and is on a medical leave of absence, according to Warriors head coach Clay Cockett.

Two other sources said Agena has stepped back because of complaints of conflict of interest stemming from a popular youth clinic he has run for 35 years.

Agena could not be reached for comment last night.

"As far as I know it's a leave of absence for medical reasons," Cockett said. "Beyond that, you have to ask him."

Agena is among the state's most respected youth coaches.

Many consider him a vital cog in Kamehameha's success, which includes the 2000 Hawaii High School Athletic Association state championship.

He had been Cockett's top assistant since 1997.

Agena also runs the year-round Kalakaua Recreation Center clinic.

Some 1,500 girls and boys have gone through the clinic over the decades, including standouts such as former University of Hawaii players Nani Cockett, BJ Itoman and Melanie Azama.

"Dennis has done a lot for basketball in Hawaii," Iolani boys head and former girls assistant coach Mark Mugiishi said.

"Half of my players through the years attended his clinic at some point. It's a big loss for Kamehameha, but I'm sure he will continue to help local basketball. His clinic does a lot of good for a lot of people."

Kamehameha athletic director Blane Gaison informed other Interscholastic League of Honolulu athletic directors that Agena was not with the team on Tuesday.

Gaison was on the mainland yesterday and unavailable for comment.

Kamehameha fell to host Punahou last night, 51-48, in a battle for first place in the ILH. See story and box score, B4.

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