Coach Tubbs leaving Nanakuli after 16 years

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Nanakuli volleyball coach Rosalind "Tubbs" Palakiko cheers from the sidelines along with seniors Leona Wright and Coreena Williams. Photo by Rebecca Breyer • The Honolulu Advertiser

Kaena Apana, a senior, gives Palakiko a hug and a lei at season's end. Palakiko is leaving Nanakuli to care for her elderly father on the Big Island.

One by one, each of the seniors took their turn in the middle of the circle, emotionally alternating between tears and laughter as they gave thanks to their teammates and coaches while carrying on a Nanakuli tradition after the final regular-season home match.

Each speech was poignant in a different way, and yet they all ended roughly the same:

"Most of all, I want to thank Coach Tubbs ... from the bottom of my heart."

Coach Tubbs is Rosalind "Tubbs" Palakiko, head of security at Nanakuli High School and head coach of the varsity boys volleyball team since 1987. But to the 46 others directly involved with Golden Hawks volleyball and many dozens before them, Palakiko is much more than that.

"Meeting Coach Tubbs is the most important thing that happened in my life," said Jack Harwood, 23, a Kane'ohe Marine who played for Palakiko from 1995 to 1997. "I came from a broken family, and I wasn't getting along with my family members. I got so mad once, I broke my hand (punching an object). But she was there when I needed somebody, and I wouldn't be where I am today without her. I have a lot to be thankful for."

That sentiment was repeated by most of the current seniors — boys and girls, since Palakiko has run all three teams (boys and girls varsity, plus JV girls) as one program. Their emotions were extra strong since Thursday was Palakiko's final match as well. She plans on moving to the Big Island soon to take care of her elderly father.

"Some of these kids have problems in their family, or maybe they have only one parent or both parents are always working so they can't be around," said Palakiko, 45. "Maybe I've gotten too involved, because as a coach you're not supposed to step over that line ... but I'd rather take that chance. To me, in the long run it pays off, especially if it makes the kid safe. Some of them are down on their luck, so we've opened our house to people and let them stay for a couple days, and then they go back home."

But in many cases, the players learn that Nanakuli gym is their home. And while the seniors found it difficult to leave — one senior boy told the circle, "You are my family ... I wish I could flunk so I could play one more year" — they know they can always come back.

Michael Tawney, a 1999 graduate of Nanakuli, played in Palakiko's program for four years before attending the University of Hawai'i-Manoa. Even though he lives in town, Tawney drives back to the Leeward Coast every day to coach the Golden Hawks' varsity girls.

"I was a white kid growing up in Nanakuli, and I was having problems at home," Tawney said. "But I found a home in this program. Coach Tubbs knew what was going on and she opened up her house to me, and I met all her family and they welcomed me. That's what I was looking for at that time in my life. She was genuine and cared about me and wanted me to succeed, and she taught me about life."

While attending UH, Tawney helped the Golden Hawks and expressed an interest in someday becoming a head coach. When the varsity girls job opened up last year, Palakiko offered it to him.

"She gave me an opportunity again," Tawney said. "What makes this program is her helping kids get a life for themselves, and then they start coming back. ... I found a home here."

A common cause

Nanakuli has always been home to Palakiko, who graduated from the high school in 1976. She came from a large family with 11 sisters and brothers (former UH volleyball standout "Sista" Palakiko is her cousin).

But her 'ohana suddenly grew larger in 1987, when Palakiko was named head coach of the Golden Hawks' varsity boys. She immediately took a family approach to the program, uniting all three teams to the point where they practice together, wear the same style uniforms and share potlucks.

"When she started, the teams were three separate entities, but all of a sudden she said we're going to work together as one group," said JV girls coach Brandon Kailikea, who graduated from Nanakuli in 1986 and has been coaching with Palakiko since 1987. "I said, 'It's not gonna work,' because nobody did that back then. But she believed that we're all fighting for the same cause, and we'd be stronger with unity. It worked, because kids started getting interested in coming to volleyball because of that unity. Before she came, it was a dwindling program — we were barely making the numbers with six or seven students on each team."

'A purpose for everything'

The Golden Hawks have never won an O'ahu Interscholastic Association championship in boys or girls varsity volleyball in Palakiko's 17 years, but her success is not measured by wins and losses.

"Of course I like to win, but to me the more important part is seeing these kids happy," Palakiko said. "I want them to make a better life for themselves. I tell them that once they graduate, I want them to do one of three things: either go to school, go to work or join the service. But do something; don't just do nothing."

After all, Nanakuli players leave the program having learned much more than volleyball skills.

"When I first saw her, she was the hardest coach I had ever seen," Kailikea said. "She was very strict and very stern, but she has a purpose for everything. She's actually a teddy bear; she has a big heart. But it takes a strong person to keep this program together, and she gives the kids strong morals and ethics."

Palakiko's teams are known for strong fundamentals and a fighting spirit.

Even with her pending departure, there is sadness but not despair in the Golden Hawks camp.

"It'll be bumpy, but she taught all of us that, as coaches, No. 1 is you gotta have a heart for the kids, that's first and foremost," Tawney said. "Everything follows that."

Harwood, who also helps coach, added: "The other coaches know how to keep it going. They all have a good head on their shoulders."

So do the current seniors, some of whom will likely return to become coaches themselves, and so do the younger players who are expected to be next year's leaders.

During her turn to speak, Palakiko wiped away the tears and resumed her role as the pillar the players have come to trust.

"You underclassmen, you know how much you gotta give, you make this program happen," she said. "We take care of what we have here, we take care of each other. You are my legacy."

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.