Nittas juggling balls and strikes
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By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer
Glenn Nitta recently recalled the third week of November 1963, when he and his Farrington High football teammates were preparing for a showdown against Kamehameha.
Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser
"It was a big game, basically for the island championship," Nitta said. "I remember how hard everybody was going at practice. We were so intense, so serious. It was almost eerie."
A teacher strike could end the baseball season for Mililani coach Glenn Nitta, who is an outreach counselor at the school, and sons Galenn, left, and Gainor.
The game was pushed aside at the last moment, along with everything else, after President Kennedy was killed by an assassin's bullet on Friday, Nov. 22.
"We ended up playing a week later on Thanksgiving Day and we lost, 10-7," Nitta said. "Who knows? It may have been different if that didn't happen. But that's a case where we had really focused and built ourselves up for something, and then it was suddenly taken away from us.
"I don't know if that's a good comparison, but that's how it might be ..."
That's how it might be very soon for Nitta, an outreach counselor and the head baseball coach at Mililani High, and his two sons, Galenn and Gainor. Nitta is a member of the Hawai'i State Teachers Association, which is threatening to strike on Thursday.
Galenn is a senior third baseman for the Trojans, and Gainor is a sophomore pitcher-outfielder. The Nittas are among many families torn between supporting the HSTA and fighting to salvage the glory days of high school athletics.
"This is the year I was looking forward to," Galenn said. "It's hard."
Making it even harder is that Mililani (4-0) has established itself as an early contender for the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Western Division title. The Trojans also have preseason wins over three traditionally strong teams: Mid-Pacific, Kamehameha and Kailua.
"When we talked about our team goals, the OIA and the state tournament was what we talked about," Nitta said. "We've had a lot of good teams here at Mililani, and this year's team matches up with any one of them. It's one of the better teams we've had."
Nitta, who has been on the Mililani faculty since the school opened in 1973, said he has a different perspective on this year's strike from the 19-day HSTA walkout 28 years ago.
"Back then, I wasn't coaching and the boys weren't even born yet," Nitta said. "Now, knowing that they may not be able to complete their season, I feel really bad for the kids. Not just for my sons, but for the whole team."
At the same time, Nitta said issues surrounding the HSTA are important. As much as he wants to see the baseball season run its course uninterrupted, he won't cross a picket line.
"We have to do what we have to do," Nitta said. "We have to look at what is best for our family."
In the meantime, Galenn said the Trojans are taking everything in stride. If the strike happens on Thursday, they have a plan to stay sharp and be ready for a return.
"Me and the other captains talked about getting everyone together at a park somewhere to work out," Galenn said. "If it comes down to it, that's what we'll do."
The Nittas say their family and the team haven't discussed the strike situation much, although they know it's there.
"We don't want to dwell on it," Nitta said. "Several of the other players have parents who are teachers, too, so I'm sure they'll talk about it at some point. But basically, it's out of their hands.
"They're just victims of whatever happens."
