Park tennis coach encourages players

By Ka'ohua Lucas

Bob Keaunui, a tennis coach at Kane'ohe District Park, is adored by both parents and children for his nurturing teaching style. Gregory Yamamoto • The Honolulu Advertiser

"Eh, Tutu Man, stand up," Coach Bob croaks at one of his 5-year-old charges, who has decided to take a siesta in the middle of a game. Chuckling, Coach Bob adds, "What, you getting old over there?"

I search the courts for a parent or two who may be willing to share their thoughts on why Coach Bob captivates adults as well as children.

"He is like a tribal elder with high intellect," says Herb Almeida, a Kane'ohe parent, student and assistant coach of Bob's Mob. "Bob not only gives tennis lessons, he gives life lessons."

Almeida, his wife and two sons have been learning from Bob for several years. It was at his wife's urging that Almeida agreed to take a lesson three years ago from Bob.

Instead of condoning kids' playing of video games, Bob encourages family interaction. "Bob actually forces families to spend healthy time together," Almeida says. "He strengthens families."

Kane'ohe resident Penny Alvarado's son and daughter have been under Coach Bob's tutelage for two years.

The two are very different in their tennis abilities, but Coach Bob noticed their strengths and weaknesses and worked through them, says Alvarado.

"As instructors, when we see kids getting good, the tendency is to only work with them," says Bob. "The other 90 percent who need the extra boost, we tend to ignore."

But Bob's philosophy has been to work with those who truly need it.

Those of his students who are at a level to compete in tournaments hone their skills with clinicians, all of whom are parent volunteers.

"I was never a tennis person," says Almeida. "I was just some dummy. Now I'm one of Bob's rookies. And it's the simple act of remembering people's names that makes all of us (parent volunteers) feel valued."

The world of tennis can be extremely competitive. Some coaches come from the "old school where they break you down to build you up again," Alvarado says. "And other coaches are involved in a sport (because they're) hoping to relive their childhood."

But Bob "does this for the kids," says Alvarado.

And what sets him apart from other instructors is that "Bob is right most of the time, but he's not above admitting his mistakes," Almeida says.

He always has rackets for students to borrow. "I tell them, no need buy one until they get good," Bob says.

If students want to improve their skills, he gives them a bucket of practice balls.

If students have no money to pay for their lessons, he waives their fee.

If tournament fees are a problem, he sponsors the student.

When Alvarado's son, Kamakau, began lessons two years ago, he had never played before.

Coach Bob recognized Kamakau's drive and determination to do well.

"If you plan on getting better, you need to hit 50 balls a day," he told the student.

Kamakau agreed, and Bob gave him a bucket of balls.

"Every day Kamakau was on the court, hitting balls with his dad," Alvarado said.

Coach Bob saw immense improvement and invited Kamakau to enter several tournaments.

Last year, Kamakau became the state junior tennis champion in the 12-year-old division.

"Kamakau has embraced tennis because of Bob," Alvarado says. "And he has given Nalani (my daughter) the confidence she once lacked to compete in tournament play."

It's as if Coach Bob has eyes in the back of his head, says 10-year-old Kanoa O'Connor. "He can be at one end of the court and know exactly what's happening two courts away."

"OK, kids, it's time to pick up balls," the coach shouts.

The 5- to 8-year-olds dart around, retrieving tennis balls like mynah birds pecking at scattered crumbs.

On the far side of the court, one student decides to take an unscheduled break.

"Eh, Nalu, what you think, you one supervisor?" Coach Bob croaks as he bends down to retrieve a bucket. Grinning, he adds, "Get over there and pick up balls!"

The parent group chuckles.

Says Coach Bob, "Bum-bye you can go home and cook rice!"

Ka'ohua Lucas has a 17-year-old daughter and two sons, 10 and 7. She hold a master's degree in education curriculum and instruction, works as a counselor for Native Hawaiians at Windward Community College and writes curriculum with a Hawaiian culture focus.

Lucas and fellow Hawai'i parent Lynne Wikoff take turns writing the Family Matters column. If you have comments, questions or suggestions for future topics, write: Family Matters, 'Ohana Section, The Honolulu Advertiser, P.O. Box 3110, Honolulu, HI 96802; e-mail ohana@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 535-8170.