Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, 1 March 1983 — THE 7th SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES [ARTICLE]

THE 7th SOUTH PACIFIC GAMES

One of the most exciting aspects of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs' development of an inter-island Makahiki Games is the possible entry of Hawaiians as part of the South Pacific Games. Through the efforts of Trustee Tommy Kaulukukui, the loeal Commission for the Games has gained the support of Governor Ariyoshi, and has been placed on the next meeting agenda of the South Pacific Games Council. At that meeting, Tommy Kaulukukui will present an application for involvement and participation in the Games. The meeting will be conducted during the 7th South Pacific Games in Apia, Western Samoa in early September of this year. It is known as the Pacific's "01ympic" Games. The Games were established by the South Pacific Conference in 1961 with the first Games held in 1963 at Su\ a, Fiji. lt has been a gathering plaee for nations of the Pacific uniting in friendly competition. The Games were so established to meet these objectives: "to create bonds of kindred, friendship and brotherhood amongst the peoples . . . of the South Pacific region . . . to promote amateur sports . . . and toensureefficient propaganda in favor of sport amongst these peoples." In twenty years the Games have grown from twelve countries competing and 700 participants to the 1979 6th Games in Suva with well over 2.000 competitors. Now the 7th Games will mark the second decade with the anticipated entry of Hawaiians. According to Tommy Kaulukukui, Chair of the loeal Commission, the objectives now

are to seek an "observer's status" just to see how the Games are run and what the competition is like. In doing so, Kaulukukui would see first hand, how and in what sports Hawaiians may be able to compete. Kaulukukui says mueh of the credit for getting on the agenda should go to the friendships begun by the Office's delegation to the 22nd South Pacific Conference in Pago Pago last year, and to various members of the loeal Commission. It is expected that one day the Games may be hosted here in Hawaii by attractingnotonlythe peoples of the South Pacific, but bringing international attention to sports here. We have the communication, hotel and sport centers, dormitory and training facilities and most of the requirements to host a major sportingevent. A test of that ability will be found in this summer's National Handicap 01ympic Games at the University of Hawaii, Manoacampus. But the main eoneem for Tommy Kaulukukui is to open up more opportunities for Hawaiian kids to participate in sports, and in doing so build up their own self-image, confidence and respect. 01d-timers will remember that it was Kaulukukui who helped foster Pop

Warner Football here, and to many is known as the Father of Pop Warner in Hawaii. Now, he wants to instill that spirit of friendly competition through culture and sports.

Kaulukukui

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