Posted on: Saturday, August 31, 2002

Ehime sees cure to tragedy in sport

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

Eighteen months after a tragedy at sea forever linked Hawai'i with Ehime Prefecture in southwest Japan, the local government there is hoping to foster relations through a common pastime: baseball.

A member of the Ehime Prefecture assembly has invited two Hawai'i youth baseball teams to play in a goodwill exchange tournament. The games would be held Thanksgiving weekend and involve teams in the 15-and-under and 12-and-under age groups.

Seiji Naya, director of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, said he was contacted by assembly member Juunosuke Kainou about the possibility of the games. Kainou said his government would cover the expense of flying the teams and coaches to Japan, Naya said.

Naya said yesterday that he was touched by the offer, particularly in light of the Feb. 9, 2001, accident that killed nine students and teachers from the Uwajima Fisheries High School in Ehime Prefecture. That day, the USS Greeneville rammed the training vessel Ehime Maru during an exercise south of Diamond Head.

"I thought it was a terrific gesture on their part," he said.

Both Ehime Prefecture and Hawai'i have identical memorials to honor the dead. Naya said he hopes the tournament will lead to a lasting friendship.

Naya said he is awaiting a formal invitation from the Ehime government and details have not been finalized.