Celebrate the success of Hawaii’s athletes

THE ISSUE Today's parade is a great way to celebrate last month's accomplishments.

HAWAII athletes earned unprecedented global recognition in August, and a parade on Labor Day is a fine way to celebrate. Numerous medal victories at the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing and the second Little League world championship in four years are accomplishments deserving of great pride.

The Waipio Little League's stunning comeback to win the national title against a Louisiana team and its overwhelming victory over a Mexico team excited friends and relatives attending the Pennsylvania tournament and watching on television.

Meanwhile, Bryan Clay of Kaneohe won the prestigious decathlon gold medal while other athletes with Hawaii connections also brought home medals. Those striking gold were U.S. team members Natasha Kai (women's soccer) and Clay Stanley (men's volleyball) and Netherlands water polo teammates lefke Van Belkum and Meike Denooy, all present or past University of Hawaii athletes.

All of the other six past or present UH athletes who competed in the Olympics also won medals. Those included Australian softball players Justine Smethurst and Stacey Porter (bronze), Australian 4X10 freestyle relay member Melanie Schlanger (bronze) and U.S. women's volleyball team members Robyn Ah Mow Santos, Heather Brown and Kim Willoughby (silver).

Helping celebrate in the parade will include the Royal Hawaiian Band and four high school bands. The parade is scheduled to start at 5 p.m. in Waikiki, followed by entertainment.