Field in Palolo to
honor volunteerA renaming ceremony will celebrate
the work of Edward Pacheco
Edward Pacheco and baseball are synonymous in Palolo Valley.
CORRECTION
Wednesday, July 7, 2004The late Edward J. Pacheco was a retired chief warrant officer in the U.S. Army. A Page A3 article Saturday incorrectly reported that he was a retired master sergeant.
The Honolulu Star-Bulletin strives to make its news report fair and accurate. If you have a question or comment about news coverage, call Editor Frank Bridgewater at 529-4791 or email him at corrections@starbulletin.com.
Pacheco started the Palolo Little League in 1966. He spent most of his time on a Palolo softball field, coaching youngsters, cheering them on and getting their parents to watch the action.
Palolo Field will be renamed Edward J. Pacheco Field in a ceremony at 9 a.m. next Saturday.
Pacheco, a retired master sergeant with the U.S. Army, died at the age of 85 from a heart attack in March 2000.
"It was always his field," said Leigh-Wai Doo, a Palolo resident and former city councilman. "The name change is something that flows naturally from what had been the character of the leader of the field."
"My dad was always a humble man," said Pacheco's daughter, Linda Rohr. "He would be honored, but because of his humility, he would be a little speechless. I really don't think there's anyone more deserving than my dad."
"I'm very proud of my dad. Whatever he did, it came from his heart," Rohr said.
"Ed was instrumental in taking care of us so we wouldn't get into trouble," said state Rep. Calvin Say, who grew up in Palolo and had Pacheco as a coach. "I think that was Ed's life, supporting the community and families of Palolo. He just had a tremendous amount of love for everyone."
Say said Pacheco took care of every team member, making sure each one had a baseball uniform, gloves and a ride home.
Pacheco's leadership was also recognized by Mayor Jeremy Harris, who dubbed him the "honorary mayor of Palolo."
The community knew Pacheco as a leader who always stood up for what he believed in, even calling area legislators and hanging up on them to get his message across.
Born in Oakland, Calif., Pacheco became a founding member of the Palolo Community Council and president of the Palolo Little League.
Pacheco helped lead the community in the fight against the installation of 100-foot-tall, 138-kilovolt power lines in 1978.
He also organized the construction of a scorer's booth for Palolo Field and a "Welcome to Palolo Valley" sign at Triangle Park.
Raising funds along with the students of Jarrett Middle School, the welcome sign was made without any state or city funds.
"Every time I pass our 'Welcome to Palolo' sign, I think of Ed Pacheco," Doo said.
Rohr said every time passed the sign, he "always smiled and chuckled and say, 'I helped get that there.'"
