BIIF chair Yamase dies

Hawaii Police Department officials confirmed yesterday that Ken Yamase, executive director of the Big Island Interscholastic Federation, died in waters off the Puako Coast.

Yamase, 59, was found afloat in the water by a kayaker. CPR was administered, but Yamase was not revived.

Acting Sgt. Aubrey Auna also confirmed that no foul play is suspected in Yamase's death. A coroner's inquest has been made.

Diving was one of Yamase's favorite pastimes.

"He said he was going diving for tako," Konawaena athletic director Lyle Crozier said of their recent phone conversation. "That was his favorite thing to do."

For the Big Island high school sports community, Yamase's death was a shock. He began his administrative career as an athletic director at Waiakea in 1987. He left that post in 2007 to become chief of the BIIF.

"At the past HIADA (Hawaii Interscholastic Athletic Directors Association), he was new, ruffling some feathers but trying to do his job for the kids in the BIIF," said Crozier, who also became an AD in '87 and was often a diving buddy of Yamase.

Yamase, a Maui High graduate, coached baseball at Campbell and Waiakea.

"He was a loud coach. He was demanding and made sure his kids did it right," Crozier recalled. "He was a genuine guy and never wanted recognition. He always passed off the limelight."