Fans cheer on Waipi'o Little Leaguers
We've invited supporters of the Little League team from Waipi'o to send us their best wishes and "i mua". Here are their comments. Send your greetings to online@honoluluadvertiser.com
Hello Coach Clyde and Team!!
I am a former Hawaii resident living in New York City now and am an avid baseball fan. The only thing is I got so tired of hearing abou the impending baseball strike I decided to tune into the Little League World Series and was really impressed with the way everyone on the team played and represented Hawaii. I will always I think be a true Hawaii resident at heart. Imua Waipi'o!! And all of Hawaii for that matter.
Aloha,
John Herrick
OnBoard Leader-Delta Air Lines
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CONGRATULATIONS to the Waipio Little League Majors team that represented the entire state of Hawaii in Williamsport, Pa. Their play on the field was just AWESOME and their fans in the stands were great too. But the one person who was so classy and so great to see and hear on TV was the manager of the Waipio team, Clyde Tanabe. Myself, I don't know Clyde Tanabe personally. But, just from watching and listening to him on all of the games that were televised from San Bernardino and Williamsport, I must say that this man is a great Little League coach. The boys on the team played great baseball, but without Clyde, I do not think this team would have made it to Williamsport or even to San Bernardino. I have so much respect for this guy, just from watching all of their games on TV. The other 2 coaches on the team deserve some credit too, for it takes a staff of 3 to make it all happen. But you know what.......Clyde, YOU DA MAN.......... Good luck to all of you (14 players and 3 coaches) in the future and thanks for all of the hard work that you guys (and gal) put in to make it to Williamsport, so that all of us in Hawaii could be so proud of OUR team from WAIPIO....... Mahalo nui loa, da fuj from Lahaina
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I am keeping upon how you are doing, and from the mainland I am cheering for you because my heart will always be you, until I can come back home to Mililani.
My cheers, and Aloha go out to you,
Kelley Nolan
CA/ Mililani
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hey guys...
wellz....it's kinda to late...but anyways...i hope you guys had lots of fun and a good experience. you guys did good and i am real proud of you..i think you guys got lots of talent and proved it against these other teams. wellz, congratulations on a job well done. anyways...if you read this e-mail meeh, cuz i like congrat and talk to you guys...cuz boring on this island...kauai!!
...jenna mercado...
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WAIPIO LITTLE LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
WOW! What another rush you've given the Hawaiian community in Las Vegas NV. There are no words that can express how proud we are of all of you. Being a past baseball mom, I know that great feeling of pride, love and support your parents, coaches, ohana and Hawaii feels when you are the STARS representing HAWAII. Keep your dreams BIG, because baseball not only teaches you to play as a team but also to become humble responsible young men. I know I've been very proud of my son Ikaika Baptista's accomplishments. Coaches, your wise and supportive words throughout the tournament was such a huge factor in the success to your team.
Tanya Johnson
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Comgratulations to the Hawaiian Lttle League team on a job well done.
I706
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Aloha, Congradulations team on your awsome performance!! You all did a very good job, you tried you best and played hard and showed everybody what ALOHA SPIRT really is! Even if you did not win it all you guys got to go to where lots of people only dream! I played in little leaugue when I was younger and we never made it that far not even to the states and I played all-star every year as a little leaguer. I am in the Air Force and being located in Florida it was cool seeing some Hawaii kids showing their talents. I made me feel a little more close to home! I loved the way you all showed aloha spirit by exchangeing gifts with teams and showiing our customs (Ti leaf in the dugout etc.) You all are awsome and I only see good things for all of you and Hawaii Little League Baseball. You have set the tone for years to come. Feel free to respond to this e-mail, I would love to hear from some of the "Hawaiian Heros"
Once again Thank You and Congradulations Aloha,
Nelson Gutierrez
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What a wonderful display of sportmanship by the Waipio team.! As a former islander it was so wonderful to see the ESPN broadcasters, other team's members and families learn also about the ALOHA SPIRIT.
Louan Torres
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Coach Tanabe and the members of the "TEAM",
Your brand of baseball and sportsmanship should be bottled then distributed to all who want to play the "Game" right. You and your team showed so much class and spirit, I for one am just busting from the seams with pride over the way the team played with fire and heart but tempered it with sportsmanship and humility. (my association is just being a local boy here on the mainland)
You showed the world the game that I grew up loving. Play hard and win or lose, the main thing is you gave your best effort. (nice "Life lesson" for young minds)
Team Waipi'o, Mahalo for your spirit and wish you all the best in the future.
Coach Tanabe, You showed me a lot over these four games. I hope to put in practice what I witnessed, In shaping great youngsters. Wishing many more years...
Mahalo nui loa,
Grateful Dad
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I got a chance to watch your team play twice and I was very impressed with everything you did. An outstanding job and you should be very proud and hold your head up high as you return home. You are all winners in my book.
Best Wishes,
Ron Joy — Phoenix, Arizona
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You all played the game the way it was meant to be played. Congratulations men.
John A. Reid
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CONGRATULATIONS!
What a terrific experience for you!
We are all proud of your accomplishment! Thankyou for making HAWAII proud of you.
Take care...have fun while your there...and have a wonderful trip coming home!
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILIES.
ALOHA,
Yvonne
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Made me proud to be from Hawaii. Congratulations Little Leagers!!
Ken Kashiwahara
Millbrae, CA
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CONGRATULATIONS WAIPI'O ! The 'truest' champion is not simply awarded such status but rather is a result of the measure of one's heart and strength of character coupled with the ability to endure the lows with dignity and good will while striving for the highs. This is a major challenge for anyone, and especially for a group so young, but the Waipi'o team has demonstrated to the world that they are indeed Champions. A special salute also to the Manager and coaches for their sage-like guidance and calm leadership. Their words and demeanor will be with these players long after baseball. Well done!
A Waipi'o fan in Texas,
Brian Trant
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Congratulations on a super performance! The team's ability to come from behind and winning in the last innings inspires many never to give up! Me and my family (wife and 4 kids) thoroughly enjoyed watching the ball games on TV and are very proud of the Waipio team! God bless all of you! I Mua!
Butch Noa
Mililani
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We were unaware of you before the World Series, but now feel like all of you are our grandsons! Thank you for representing Hawaii with your athletic skills and that great Aloha spirit. And thank YOU, Coach Tanabe, for being an outstanding role model for the kids. Watching the games and hearing the conversations made us feel so proud of the team...and sure gave us chicken skin big time!
Aloha,Jon and Noreen Jessee
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Aloha to Kyle Kobayashi & Waipio All-Stars Teammates: We are all so very proud of all of you! You did your best and it showed! Thanks for making each game you played very exciting and thrilling. We enjoyed watching each and every one of you on national TV. You made us so happy and proud. Kyle, you are the best nephew any auntie could ever have. I am so very proud of you and feel so blessed that you are part of our family. Thank you for honoring us with your wonderful presence, personality and great disposition! You looked fantastic on TV and so did your teammates! Oh, and congratulations to you, Clyde Tanabe, you are the best coach!
Lita Delahunty
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You did yourselves and the whole State of Hawaii PROUD!!!
steve
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I am proud of the talent we have on the island and the heart that comes from our keikis. These are their highlights in their lives and they will never forget those special moments. I appreciate the support team that made this moment special. That's what OHANA stands!
Paul N. Utu
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Aloha from Negaunee Michigan. We are Elmer and Lois Sarasin. We have been to Hawaii 28 times and feel like we are related to all of the Hawaiians there. We have been watching your ballgames and are so proud of you. We cheered loudly when you played. You have the true Aloha Spirit and Hawaii can be so proud of the wonderful job you have done representing your area. You are a fine group, and we feel confident that you will all have a great future. This has been such a great opportunity for you. Enjoy every minute, and enjoy all of the fans that you have made. Good luck to you in your future endeavors.....and keep that beautiful Aloha Spirit going.
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Aloha to all of you. I was so proud to see local kids playing on ESPN!
I guess I was the only one in my neighboring cheering (I live in Satellite Beach — just south of Cape Canaveral). After a long work week, I really appreciated the Aloha spirit...really brought me back home. The never-say-die attitude of all you players — especially the Jones boy! You really got me off the sofa when you hit a home run NOT once but twice in the last inning to win the game! I was jumping up and down in my living room...my wife and daughters thought I really went pupule for good!!
Congrats! I was disappointed that you did not advance...you were the most deserving team! But you made a mark for yourselves. Mark that notch and press on for next year. Record this in your personal history books as one of the most memorable championship runs thus far.
Aloha,
John Servantes & Ohana
Satellite Beach. FL
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To a great team effort. You kids did a wonderful job of keeping the spirit alive in the way you played. Enjoy the moment and never stop going for your dreams. Be sure and give your family a big hug and alot of thanks for all of their support, if it wasn't for their sacrifices, (dollars, time and all the gas) you wouldn't have been able to travel like you do. Keep up the hitting and fielding. Good luck next year.Renae Tawney, Fall City , WA
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Congratulations to all of you........you sure made Hawaii proud.......GREAT JOB!!! Wishing you all continued success in whatever you pursue.......
Alberta Kapololu
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Aloha Waipi'o Champs! It was great being a part of the cheering crowd right there in Williamsport, PA with you. For those that don't know, (we were able to meet some of the parents), we were the ohana that drove up from Maryland to cheer you on! IMUA WAIPIO! IMUA HAWAII!!!!!!!!!!! Our banner read proudly "THE TEAM ON THE GO IS WAIPI'O!!" I'm glad some of you parents were able to enjoy the musubi! Thanks for making the experience for me and my ohana a memorable one! Aloha, Nani Lowery and Ohana--Keith, Naomi, Leah and Luke!
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As yearly visitors to the magical land of Hawaii we followed the team through their experiences here on the mainland with pride and great joy in their successes....... you are wonderful ambassadors of the "aloha spirit"..... thanks for a great run.....
Rita Leyden
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Aloha To The Team, Coaches, & Families...
Congratulations on an outstanding performance in the Little League World Series.
You are all winners.
Donna V.
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Congratulations on reaching the The Little league World Series.It was fun at work here in Seattle trying to get updates on the games.The Players and Coaches worked hard and it showed. They never gave up!It was a great run that ended a little a short. All the former Islanders here at Alaska Airlines Air Freight are proud of the team.Some of us coach youth sports here. And it was very easy for us to support the local boys.Hawaii Sport fans are everywhere, so any team from Hawaii that plays away from home, will always have" LOCAL" support anywhere they play ! Great Season gang enjoy the moment you guys earned it!!
The Local Gang at Alaska Airlines Air Freight
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ATTN: TRAVIS JONES
Hi Travi.......I'm so proud to know such celebrity...while you and mom were having the attention up in San Bernardino and Wmsport., i too was getting all the attention here at home while i was covering your moms accounts...
(thank you for that.. lolololo)..i know how proud your mom and dad are cause i was proud too back in 1989., when my son billy went w/ the Pearl City Little League and made it all the way into the Western Regional San Bernardino Runner up....(hope i said it right Coach Tamura!)..Well let's just say that both mom and myself have something in common and we thank our job Notions of HI for being so patient and understanding towards the achievements our kids can bring....WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU AND YOUR TEAM.... .AUNTY CRISSY....
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WELL DONE WAIPIO!!.........THE PEOPLE OF HAWAII AND ABROAD, ARE PROUD OF YOU .YOUR SUPERB SPORTSMANSHIP MAKES YOU CHAMPIONS ALL THE WAY! ALOHA, FOLLOWERS FROM SAIPAN, NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS
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Following your pursuits in the Little League World Series qualifiers and pool play, I am very proud that you, Coach Tanabe, your staff and your players represented Waipi'o and Hawaii. Your humble and respectful demeanor was not only evident in your coaching style but was also reflected by everyone of your staff and players. Way to go Waipi'o Little Leaguers! You are a "CLASS ACT"!
Curtis M.
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Coach Tanabe showed the world what coaching (at any level), and sports, is all about.
Mahalo! steve
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Great job!!
We were rooting for you and were happy with what you've done to make your community and state proud. Thank you for helping us relive our past and allowing us to place our own wishes for success in you!!
God Bless and Aloha,
Pastor Mike Kai,
Hope Chapel West Oahu at Waikele
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Coach Clyde and the Boyz,
I just wanted to congratulate all of you on your magical run through the regional and the LLWS. You represented the state of Hawaii with class and dignity. You also proved to a lot of people on the mainland that it is not the size of the player but how much heart that player has. Though my family and I now live on the mainland and my kids will most likely grow up here it was nice for them to see what "Ohana" and "Aloha Spirit" truly is through watching you and your team play (because there is not much of that in athletics around here).
Thanks for the inspiration and memories,
Gregg and Family
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