Gardner Brown, youth coach for Pauoa A.C.
By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer
Until his dying day, Gardner Brown was a caring coach.
"His latest baby was the youth volleyball program in the (Police Activities League)," said his youngest son, Paul Brown. "He was lying there in bed, but it was a big concern for him whether or not it would keep going for the kids. One of the other men who helped him run the league assured him that it would keep running and that brought a smile to my dad's face."
Gardner Ka'aihue Brown died last Sunday at age 78.
He was a decades-long volunteer coach for virtually every type of youth sport. He is most remembered for his work with the Pauoa Athletic Club, the Police Activities League, and the Na Opio and Na 'Ohana O Na Hui Wa'a canoe-paddling organization.
"Working with the kids was his life," said daughter Nahaku Brown.
Brown was born in Hilo and graduated from Hilo High before starting a career in the Army.
"He used to love telling people about all the generals and high dignitaries he drove around when he was stationed at Fort Shafter," Nahaku Brown said. "And, of course, he used to coach the military kids."
After his military stint, Brown coached volleyball, basketball, baseball and softball for Pauoa Athletic Club. He was also a key figure on the Pauoa Neighborhood Board, and helped lead the construction of the gymnasium at Booth Park.
Na Opio, an organization for paddlers ages 18 and younger, started in 1983 with Brown's assistance. "He started the petition to get Na Opio chartered," said June Leialoha, president of the Hui Wa'a paddling organization.
Brown served as an official in various capacities for Hui Wa'a, and would show up at regattas even after he "retired" from official duties.
"Everybody knew who Mr. Brown was," Leialoha said.
Especially the kids. Brown would often walk around with a bag of candy to pass out to the youths who could solve his riddles.
"His favorite thing was asking kids, 'What is one and one?' " Nahaku Brown said. "They would all say two, and he would say, 'No, one and one is 11.' And he'd laugh every time."
Brown had six children of his own, and all were skilled athletes. Most notable, Nahaku Brown was an All-American setter for the Hawai'i women's volleyball team, and Paul Brown was a standout pitcher for the UH baseball team and was drafted in the second round by the Boston Red Sox.
Paul Brown pitched a perfect game for UH in 1987 — still the only one in the program's history. His most vivid memory: "My teammates were mobbing me and they all wanted to go out and celebrate after. But I didn't want to go out with them. I just wanted to go home and talk about the game with my dad."
Following his father's lead, Paul Brown is now a baseball coach. "A lot of who I am is a reflection of my father," he said.
Brown never made any money as a youth coach, and that was how he liked it. "He died a rich man in his emotional bank account," Paul Brown said. "That's what counts more than anything."
Leialoha added: "He put all his efforts into fighting for the kids. That makes him a great man."
Brown is survived by six children: Gardner Brown Jr., Tanna Pestana, Louise Snyder, Christianna Nahaku Brown, Adele "Peewee" Ornelles and Paul Brown. He also has eight grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
A service will be held Wednesday at Kawaiaha'o Church at 7:30 p.m.; viewing begins at 4:30 p.m. Other viewing/services will be held Thursday at Booth Park, starting at 9:30 a.m., and then Friday at Waikiki Beach (in front of Duke's Restaurant at the Outrigger Waikiki on the Beach) at 8 a.m.
