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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, September 11, 2008

Schools can cash in with 'Shop and Score'

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Kraft Foods and Times Super Markets launched the Eighth Annual "Shop and Score" program yesterday, in which shoppers can help raise money for participating high school athletic departments simply by buying certain popular grocery products.

The program works like this:

Shoppers at any Times Super Market buying any Kraft Foods and other designated products can tell their cashier they want their Shop and Score points to go toward one of the 46 participating schools. After swiping the customer's Times Royal Card, the cashier will then punch in a number corresponding to that school, and until Oct. 21 any time a Kraft product is scanned in, points will be added to that school's account.

At the program's conclusion, the points are added up and the schools receive their proportionate share of $100,000 to be used to purchase uniforms and equipment for their teams.

Last year, Castle finished in first place for the fifth straight year and was awarded $17,000 worth of athletic apparel and equipment. 'Aiea, Waipahu, Kalani and McKinley also finished high in the point standings, receiving thousands of dollars worth of rewards. Waipahu nearly doubled its points from the previous year.

Some private schools also participate, and Christian Academy enjoyed a 680 percent jump in points from 2006.

Shoppers can designate any participating high school on O'ahu, regardless of where they live or at which Times they shop.

Kraft food products include Oscar Mayer hot dogs, Philadelphia cream cheese, Maxwell House coffee, Nabisco/Oreo cookies, Milka chocolates and LU biscuits.

HBA NOT INTERESTED IN MOVING TO DIVISION I

After Hawai'i Baptist's impressive 26-28, 25-19, 25-15 girls volleyball victory over defending Division I state runner-up 'Iolani on Tuesday, some wondered if the DII Eagles — who are 4-0 and ranked No. 5 in The Advertiser's statewide Top 10 poll of coaches and media — might be primed for more upsets against Punahou and Kamehameha.

And if they were able to knock off the giants and go undefeated in the Interscholastic League of Honolulu ... what then?

But HBA athletic director Deren Oshiro said the Eagles will maintain their Division II status for the foreseeable future.

"I'm a strong believer in classification by enrollment," said Oshiro, whose school has about 450 students in grades 9-12.

Per Hawai'i High School Athletic Association rules, even if HBA wanted to play in this year's DI state tournament, it would not be allowed to. Schools and leagues declare their classifications during the summer, and are not permitted to change the status once the school year begins.

KONAWAENA'S CROZIER NAMED BIIF INTERIM EXEC

Longtime Konawaena athletic director Lyle Crozier has been named interim executive director of the Big Island Interscholastic Federation.

Crozier — who was appointed during Tuesday's BIIF athletic directors' meeting — replaces Ken Yamase, who died Aug. 28 after spear fishing in Puako on the South Kohala coast.

OIA'S TOYAMA HELPS IN HURRICANE RELIEF

O'ahu Interscholastic Association executive director Dwight Toyama moonlights as a Red Cross volunteer, and that duty sent him to Louisiana early last week to help with relief efforts following Hurricane Gustav.

Toyama, who also volunteered in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts in 2005, returned to Hawai'i late last week and was back in his OIA office Monday.

ROOSEVELT SEEKS WRESTLING COACH

Roosevelt is seeking applicants for a wrestling coach position.

Interested coaches can send their resume to Roosevelt High School, Attn. John Chung, 1120 Nehoa St., Honolulu, HI 96822, or fax it to 587-4742 by Monday.

PLAYERS NEEDED FOR ASA WINTER LEAGUE

Softball players age 18 and under are being invited to play in an upcoming ASA Winter League, with practices to be held at Palolo District Park.

Interested players or parents can call Mitchell Matsumoto at 306-3610 for more information.

Reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com.