Posted on: Sunday, May 27, 2001

High Schools
Jamboree puts spotlight on gender equity

By Kyle Sakamoto
Advertiser Staff Writer

Nani Flores tries to drive by Mel Azama at the Mufi Hannemann Jamboree. They were among many former UH Wahine to compete. Eugene Tanner • The Honolulu Advertiser

Former Punahou coach Shelley Kahuanui Fey shot an airball from the free throw line.

Buffanblu sophomore Becky Hogue enjoyed it so much she applauded and laughed from the opposing team's bench.

"I was doing well in warm-ups, but when you have to run up and down the court about five times, I had no air what so ever," Fey said.

Yesterday's Mufi Hannemann Basketball Jamboree at Iolani School might have been for fun, but they were also for an important cause.

Proceeds from the tournament benefit the Gender Equity Sports Club. No admission was charged, but donations were accepted.

"It started eight years ago when it was apparent to me and others that girls' and women's basketball wasn't getting the exposure that the men do," Hannemann said. "Jill Nunokawa, Fran Villarmia and others, we felt it was important to promote women's basketball."

Nunokawa, a University of Hawai'i civil rights counselor, is the state's leading gender equity advocate.

"Jill is a proponent of Title IX and women's sports and gender equity," Hannemann said. "I felt as a male, it was important that she had some people on the other side of the fence believing in the same issues. Now that the movement is starting to grow, the fruits of her labor are starting to manifest itself."

The gathering of female basketball talent yesterday was pretty impressive.

Stars of the past such as former UH standouts Nani Cockett, Nani Flores and Mel Azama were on hand.

High school seniors such as Milia Macfarlane, Brandy Richardson and Jodi Nakashima also competed. All three will play college basketball at Division I schools next season.

Macfarlane, of Punahou, signed with the University of Hawai'i.

"It's a great opportunity facing some of the Wahine graduates," Macfarlane said. "Becoming a Wahine, it's wonderful for me because I know the caliber (of players) I have to face."

Said Richardson, of Kalaheo, who signed with UC Santa Barbara: "It was great exposure because when you go off to college, you'll be playing against similar players."

Nakashima, of Roosevelt, hit a 3-pointer from 25 feet as time expired in the championship game to tie the score at 35. She is headed for Boise State.

Nakashima's Team Orange defeated Team Blue, 44-40, in overtime.

"It got pretty serious in there, everyone is so competitive and wanted to win," Cockett said. "Unfortunately for me, I didn't do to well, but we still won.

"The girls these days are much quicker and a lot more fundamentally sound than when I was playing (in high school)."