Tom Costain, a longtime prep basketball coach at Kaimuki and University High, died July 14 in Portland, Maine. He was 64.

"He always had confidence in his players and always trusted our abilities," said Diane Okubo, an Interscholastic League of Honolulu all-star guard under Costain at University from 1999-2003. "I'll remember his Irish pride and that accent. It made it hard for us to take his yelling seriously, because it was humorous."

Costain, who was born and raised in Bath, Maine, moved to Hawai'i in 1961 and had worked as a Premium Audit Supervisor with TIG and Fairmont Specialty. He also served in the Army Reserves.

Between 1966 and the spring of this year, Costain coached numerous sports at Kaimuki, including cross country, track and field, softball, basketball and football. His Kaimuki girls basketball team won the O'ahu Interscholastic Association championship in 1990 and he was named Eastern Division Coach of the Year from 1990-1992.

Costain was given the Kaimuki Service Award in 1997 and the Hawai'i Interscholastic Athletic Directors Association honored him with its Athletic Award in 2003.

He is survived by sisters, Judith Walsh and Kateri; nephew, Thomas Walsh, and many cousins.

A memorial service will he held at a future date. Donations in his memory may be made to the OIA or to the Kaimuki High School athletic department.