PAUL HONDA / PHONDA@STARBULLETIN.COM Members of the Hawaii Center for the Deaf and Blind bowling team are: (front) Marcka Martin and Alexis Pokipala; (center) Brittney Matsumoto, Trina Otani, Abigail Delos Santos, Kristin Akina and Carlos Cambre; (back) Stephen Gouveia, Vuong Ho, Edmond Thomas, Huy Nguyen and Mark Paguirigan. CLICK FOR LARGE

Quiet but effective

The Hawaii Center for the Deaf and Blind's bowling team is making a lot of noise in the OIA

THEIR senior class is 11 strong.

That is, of course, not the only reason why a stroll through their campus is utterly silent during lunch hour. In the quiet classrooms and the rattling alleys of Waialae Bowl, the Dolphins of the Hawaii Center for the Deaf and Blind are in a world of their own. The second season for the school's bowling program is off to another good start.

The Dolphins, coached by Steven Hanai (girls) and Eric Dela Pena (boys) haven't set the world afire just yet. But the boys' 3-0 win over neighboring Kaimuki High School last week is far from their most impressive feat early in the Oahu Interscholastic Association bowling season.

In the crisscrossing weave that is teen social life, the Dolphins inadvertently found a happy medium between competitiveness and friendship. Their exuberance and humility made them fast friends with bowlers from Kailua High School. So, along with Tuesday team practices at Waialae, the Dolphins meet up with the Surfriders on weekends to hang out -- where else? -- at a bowling alley.

"The kids, on their own, figured out a way to write each other," Hanai said. "It's kinda cool because the communication wasn't a barrier."

More bowling, more practice and -- interestingly enough for a group of kids who chose to attend a sign-language-only school -- more interaction with mainstream-school peers.

THEY aren't a crew of ringers. Steven Gouveia was the boys' high scorer against Kaimuki with a high game of 153. From top to bottom, though, the Dolphins are competitive. Relaxed, but focused throughout practice. Carlos Cambre, the tallest of the Dolphins, works on his steps and delivery off the lane between turns. Nobody is munching on snacks or Big Macs.

Half of the team lives in the dormitory at the school, which makes bowling practice like any other activity that allows them to get away for a few hours. That's good news when you're 16 and don't have a car.

Old, creaky Waialae Bowl, with its red brick walls and manually-written score sheets, is a throwback to an era when bowling was king. Today, the clientele is a mix of senior citizens and youngsters, not just kingpins, but givers, as well.

The Dolphins began practicing at Waialae a year ago when the teams first formed. Free alley balls were all they could afford to use.

"One guy came over and gave our kids a ball," Hanai said. "This year, the girls coach from McKinley, Kevin Hirabara, I guess he was impressed that we had a team. So in the early part of the season, he was coming out and helping us with our practices, and he gave some bowling balls to our teams. I guess people have done that kind of stuff."

WHEN she left the country comfort of farm life in Kamuela, Alexis Pokipala learned the meaning of separation. After finishing eighth grade at Waimea Elementary, she was ready to get more committed to education. That meant transferring to HCDB and leaving her precious animals behind.

"Sometimes, I get homesick. I miss the farm, taking care of the pigs, the cows and horses," the junior said, using sign language.

Still, life in the dorms isn't so bad, nothing like the early days of the Hawaii Territorial School for the Deaf and Blind. Back in the 1930s and '40s, neighbor island kids stayed at the dorm from September through June, a long, lonely stretch -- unimaginable by today's standards, but a must for youngsters who had no other means of education back home.

Today, Pokipala and her dorm mates fly back home each Friday and return at the end of the weekend. She gets the best of both worlds.

"Our team has lots of spirit and support. We keep ourselves positive and learn how to do things right," she said. "I really like the team."

While many hearing-impaired students enter mainstream high schools, Pokipala remains convinced that her education has advanced more quickly in a more efficient system. She is more comfortable at HCDB, where she can communicate directly with teachers, counselors, and in some ways, most importantly, with her peers.

"It's easier for me to get involved here," said Pokipala, who has a 3.5 grade-point average. She's aiming for prestigious Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C.

Until then, the junior revels in the fun of bowling.

"At school, everyone's very serious. Here, they're happy and silly," she said.

Vuong Ho, captain of the boys team, is convinced they could win a title with one month of constant practice. Ho, who began bowling at age 6, has learned to temper expectations.

"Coach (Dela Pena) wanted us to focus on working as a team, not as much about winning, to cooperate with one another, to be positive, to not give up. He wants us to be patient. If you're not patient, it's hard to focus," said Ho, a senior who also wants to attend Gallaudet or the National Institute for the Deaf in New York City.

Ho has also experienced some feedback from friends and strangers about his bowling, his future plans.

"Sometimes, people are curious ... and surprised that the deaf can do other things," he said.

Pokipala recalled her family's reaction when she told them she'd joined a team.

"Some of them were surprised that I could bowl. They just think that if I can't hear, how can I bowl," she said.

She also believes her girls team could take on the boys and win.

Ho was diplomatic.

"I'm not gonna say who's better," he said. "No way."

COACHING isn't a new venture for Hanai. A long sign is taped to the partition at the front of his office, signed over every square inch by players from HCDB's elementary-age basketball team several years ago.

The sign is in immaculate condition, and Hanai has no plans to take it down anytime soon.

"We're a small school, so a lot of people wear different hats. Because it's a small school, it allows us the opportunity to do different things. Everybody here tries to pick up," said Hanai, who is a social worker. "You gotta be flexible, be able to do different things and take on more than what maybe your job description says. If a guy comes here and looks at the clock and from 8 to 4, that's all I'm gonna do, I don't know if they'd like working here."

Hanai, 53, has been at HCDB for 14 years. Dela Pena, who graduated from Kaimuki High School, is an educational assistant. Assistant coach Cathy Collier is a teacher at the school.

Their firm, gentle way with the students is a major reason why nearly half of the high school population bowls. Of course, they're typical teenagers.

"They come with the same attitudes. They just happen to be deaf, so you gotta deal with personalities, teenage moods. Hopefully, we set the ground rules, this is the way it's gonna be, and hopefully they follow the line," Hanai said.

HCDB students have played sports in the past. Former student Vela Coryell played basketball for Kalani High School since HCDB doesn't field a hoops team. Hanai takes special pride in seeing a team represent the school.

"The bowling is not part of the job, but I get to work with the kids. Hopefully, this is the start of something the kids can be proud of. When they talk about school pride, they want the kids to take ownership of something," he said.

"Maybe bowling will be one."