Ginoza will be honored by Waianae

Larry Ginoza gave as good as he got in 20 years at the helm of Waianae football.

After more than a decade as athletic director, Ginoza retired in 1995 and left a legacy at Waianae that has influenced myriad coaches and players. Even his impact as an honored educator left an imprint on the Leeward Coast. All those years, a labor of love, are why Waianae will honor Ginoza on June 25 by renaming the school's athletic complex in his name.

A benefit dinner to raise funds for the athletic department and scholarships will be held that night at the Ala Moana Hotel's main ballroom.

"A lot of kids now need to know what he stood for and what he envisioned for Waianae football, and a lot of that has been carried on," Waianae athletic director Glenn Tokunaga said. "He was very firm, but very fair and flexible sometimes."

For more information about the dinner, call 697-7021 or e-mail glenn_tokunaga@notes.k12.hi.us.

Ginoza, often loathe to be in any spotlight, is still a regular attendee of Waianae football games.

"We told him, 'Coach, we'll be doing this and naming the complex after you,' " Tokunaga said. "He said, 'Oh yeah? That's OK.' "

Waianae won nine Oahu Interscholastic Association titles from 1966 to '82 under Ginoza. The Seariders won three Prep Bowls, in 1973, '77 and '78, and tied with Iolani in 1980.