Former UH two-sporter Kaulukukui inducted
Advertiser Staff
Solomon "Sol" Kaulukukui was surrounded by tall women yesterday as he and the 1987 Rainbow Wahine volleyball team were announced as the 2004 inductees to the University of Hawai'i Sports Circle of Honor.
Solomon Kaulukukui Four-year football starter and four-year baseball letterman (1946 to '49) 1987 Rainbow Wahine volleyball team Tita Ahuna, Suzanne Eagye, Mahina Eleneki, Diana Jessie, Martina Cincerova, Dede Dunstone, Jami Long, Leeana Merriweather, Toni Nishida, Jaime Paet, Mary Robins, Karrie Trieschman,Teee Williams. Coach: Dave Shoji. Assistant coach: Dean Nowack. Trainer: Melody Toth. Team Manager: Kepa Cummings.
The media luncheon was hosted by Bank of Hawai'i, the Circle's corporate sponsor. Kaulukukui and the team will be formally inducted into the Circle of Honor tonight during halftime of the UH-Rice men's basketball game at Stan Sheriff Center.
2004 Inductees
Kaulukukui, 81, is the younger brother of Tommy Kaulukukui, another legendary athlete who coached Sol in football and baseball at UH.
Sol was a four-year starter at quarterback. Michigan State named him to its all-opponent team in 1948. He also played baseball four years and went on to catch for the semi-pro Rural Red Sox after gradation. He was a captain in both sports.
"What I remember most was the opportunity to go to college," Kaulukukui said. "My mother stressed education. I remember all the wonderful people I played with and who supported me on and off the field."
Kaulukukui graduated in 1951, received his teaching certificate two years later, and earned a master's in education in 1980, after retiring from the military as a full colonel. He started a Hawaiian Studies program in Honolulu District elementary schools in 1981. The program later expanded statewide.
The Rainbow Wahine won the program's last national championship in 1987. They were 37-2 that year, behind seniors Tita Ahuna, Suzanne Eagye, Mahina Eleneki and Diana Jessie, along with setter Martina Cincerova and Teee Williams, the 1987 national player of the year who would go on to the Olympics.
The four seniors had suffered three years of heartbreak. They were brought in to rebuild the program after the 1982 and '83 championships. In 1985 and '86, national champion Pacific ended their season. But in 1987, they swept the Tigers in a memorable regional at Klum Gym before ripping through the final four.
Hawai'i has come close, but never matched their accomplishment in the ensuing years.
"Part of winning is showing a lot of heart," said Ahuna, the UH captain who is now Hawai'i Pacific's volleyball coach and Senior Woman Administrator. "It's hard to teach somebody to have heart. It has to come from within and your teammates have to feel the same thing you feel on the court to give that much of themselves. I'm sure everybody wants to win, but what is that extra you have to give to be successful?"
The Circle of Honor originated in 1982. Plaques for the 64 individuals and six teams are on the main concourse at Stan Sheriff Center.
