School surf decision put off until May 6

By Curtis Lum
Advertiser Staff Writer

The state Board of Education won't decide until its May 6 meeting at the earliest whether to sanction surfing as a high-school sport.

The board's Committee on Special Programs yesterday decided not to change a proposed policy it approved in October that recommends to the full board that it support surfing. Some board members had hoped to include in the recommendation a broader ocean sports policy, which would include kayaking.

But committee chairwoman Mary Cochran said yesterday that the proper time to amend the proposed policy would be at the full board meeting, since the committee had already voted on the matter. Although several members disagreed, including board chairman Breene Harimoto, Cochran did not allow them to amend the recommendation yesterday.

If the board votes to broaden the policy, it could further delay the implementation of surfing as a sport. The issue may have to go back to the committee level and then be reviewed by labor unions before going back to the full board.

Iris Kahaulelio, a Kahuku High teacher and coach of the Ko'olauloa Surf Club team, said she would be disappointed if the decision is delayed.

"Most of the (club team members) have been with me since when they were seventh-graders and now they're graduating. I promised them before they graduated that it would be a sport," Kahaulelio said.

One of those surfers, Kahuku senior Reis Harney, is a member of the club team. He said he had hoped to be earning a letter for surfing by now.

"It carries more weight if you're a team sport as opposed to club," Harney said. "It's a bummer that I wasn't able to benefit from this. But it would be a worthwhile struggle if my fellow members and friends can benefit from this."

Reach Curtis Lum at 525-8025 or culum@honoluluadvertiser.com.