KAILUA-KONA —Volunteers, police and athletes cheered as athletes Ben Finestone and Isaiah Wong carried the Special Olympics torch to the cauldron for the lighting ceremony at Old Airport Softball Fields.
KAILUA-KONA —Volunteers, police and athletes cheered as athletes Ben Finestone and Isaiah Wong carried the Special Olympics torch to the cauldron for the lighting ceremony at Old Airport Softball Fields.
The annual First Hawaiian Bank Troy Barboza Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics kicked off Sunday’s Big Island Softball tournament with West Hawaii athletes playing East Hawaii.
“We’re going to crush the Hilo side!” said Special Olympics athlete Sanoe Wong excitedly before the run.
Starting at First Hawaiian Bank in the Lanihau Center, runners ran down to Hale Halawai on Alii Drive then made their way to the softball fields, escorted by police vehicles.
“It’s for the athletes,” said Community Police Officer William Vickery of the run. “This helps bring awareness.”
Vickery said the torch run is the only one in the nation named after a fallen officer. Honolulu Police Officer Troy Barboza was killed in retaliation for his police work years ago.
The torch run, Vickery said, takes place in different counties throughout the state then comes to a culmination in Honolulu in June for the statewide Special Olympics Games. Law enforcement and branches of military attend the run.
Vickery said he’s been participating in Hawaii County’s run for nearly 20 years. Anywhere from 20 to 50 athletes and volunteers participate.
“The athletes see the community encouraging them — they see whatever they dream they can accomplish,” Vickery said.
Wong, 37, has been in the Special Olympics since she was 8 years old. On Sunday she was playing softball, however she said she loves a lot of sports.
Wong said she enjoys basketball, soccer and swimming.
Wong played left field in the softball game on Sunday.
Wong’s favorite memory of Special Olympics is competing in power lifting. She said it made her so proud of herself. She can lift 205 pounds.
“Special Olympics is my family, my ohana,” Wong said. “Family is first.”
Kit Neppl, West Hawaii Area Director of the games, first got involved in March. She said the run is the organization’s largest event of the year.
“It’s the hardest but most rewarding thing I’ve ever been involved in” Neppl said. “The community is so loving and helping and willing to do what needs to be done.”
Mary Donager’s son Ray has been in Special Olympics since he was 7 or 10 years old.
“It was good because you’re around people,” Donager said. “I think it helped it get the job he has now.”
When she first got involved, Donager said, she didn’t know what she was doing. But since then, she and her son have made long-lasting connections with people in the organization.
“I like getting out with the people,” Donager said. “It’s nice being able to see everybody.”