Thursday, April 12, 2001

Clinics key
in Agena’s
resignation

Some saw his work at
Kamehameha and the
youth clinics he has run for
35 years as a conflict of interest

By Dave Reardon
Star-Bulletin

Kamehameha assistant girls basketball coach Dennis Agena confirmed yesterday that he left the Warriors bench because of health reasons and a perceived conflict of interest.

Agena, 52, one of the most respected youth coaches in the state, resigned from his post at two-time defending state champion Kamehameha on March 17.

Agena, who is asthmatic, said he was recently diagnosed with high blood pressure and an unhealthy cholesterol level.

"When I coach, it tends to build up the blood pressure. I quit because of my health, but also for the other reasons," he said.

Those reasons are complaints that Kamehameha unfairly benefits because Agena is the director of a hugely popular youth basketball clinic at Kalakaua Gym.

"People accused me of things, and I wanted to protect myself and Kamehameha," Agena said. "I decided that the best thing for Kamehameha and Kalakaua was that I resign and then they can say all they want."

Critics have said that the Warriors can draw the top players from the clinic, that Agena can pay extra attention to Kamehameha players, and that players from Kamehameha can get moved up on waiting lists to participate in the clinic.

Agena denies bias, and supporters point out that the clinic -- in which 1,500 boys and girls have participated during the last 35 years -- has benefited many players who end up at many different schools.

The most shining current example is Brandy Richardson, the Star-Bulletin's two-time Ms. Basketball. Richardson, a niece of Kamehameha head coach Clay Cockett, is a senior at Kalaheo High School.

Agena has not been at the Kalakaua clinic for about a month, but plans to return soon.

"I've been at the clinic longer than at Kamehameha (since 1997), and I can help more boys and girls at Kalakaua."

---

Hawaii School Web Sites