Posted on: Friday, June 10, 2005
Harry Kealoha Sr. set high standards locally
By Brandon Masuoka
Advertiser Staff Writer
Harry Waiolama Kealoha Sr., a Hawai'i volleyball pioneer whose athletic accomplishments spanned more than 45 years as a player, coach and official, died May 29 at Wahiawa General Hospital. He was 88.
"He was one of many who had an influence on my life," said Velasco, who played under Kealoha at the YMCA in the late 1950s and early '60s, and added that Kealoha deserves to be inducted into the Hawai'i Sports Hall of Fame. "He was a good leader within the sport. He was always promoting the sport and exposing it to a lot of the local people."
Kealoha started playing in the Palama Community Volleyball League in 1934 and became a gifted 5-foot-4 setter. He played on two Amateur Athletic Union Championship teams in 1953 and 1954.
Following his playing days, Kealoha turned his attention to coaching at local, regional and national levels, including school, club and military teams.
Kealoha coached the Central YMCA, Outrigger Canoe Club, University of Hawai'i men, and All-Navy teams, along with the Hawai'i National Women's Volleyball team, among others.
His All-Navy men's teams won Interservice Championships in 1965 and 1972, and All-Navy titles in 1970, 1971 and 1977.
Kealoha was an accomplished women's coach, winning runner-up honors at the 1969 United States Volleyball Association national tournament in Knoxville, Tenn., with a team that included Hopeau, McLachlin and Peterson.
"His life was volleyball," said Charlee Kowalski, a family friend who played under Kealoha at the YMCA. "He touched a lot of people, including people like me who were new to volleyball. He took the time to show us the love of the game."
In 1967, Kealoha was awarded the USVBA's Leader in Volleyball Award for more than 20 years of distinguished volleyball leadership. In 1980, he received the prestigious USVBA Referee Emeritus Award in recognition of his significant contributions to the Official Association of the USVBA.
"He had a passion for volleyball, and a passion for people," said Kealoha's son, Dwight.
Kealoha was born Nov. 15, 1916, in Honolulu and graduated from McKinley High School in 1934. He was a former Pearl Harbor Shipyard Supply Supervisor and worked with the Naval Special Services.
Kealoha is survived by his wife of 69 years, Fanny; sister, Violet Kawalski; daughter, Elsie K. Enos; sons, Harry Jr. and Dwight; three grandchildren; six great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Services will be at 8:30 p.m. June 25 at Mililani Memorial Park.
Reach Brandon Masuoka at bmasuoka@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2458.
Kealoha gained fame as a volleyball coach, and tutored All-Americans Pete Velasco, who was the U.S. Olympic volleyball captain in 1968, and Tom Haine, and women All-Americans Fanny Hopeau, Pearl Mahiko, Gail O'Rourke, Sharon Peterson, Carol Friebe and Beth Hollinger (now Beth McLachlin).
