HILO — The Department of Parks and Recreation’s Elderly Activities Division (EAD) kicked off the 49th Annual Hawai‘i Kupuna Softball Tournament on Wednesday, hosting 21 teams and over 400 players from around the County of Hawai‘i. The two-day tournament is being held at the Walter C. Victor Baseball Complex in Hilo.
An opening ceremony marked the start of the tournament with a heartfelt blessing, the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner and Hawai’i Pono’i, and a ceremonial first pitch thrown by Mayor Mitch Roth.
“We are honored to host this incredible event that celebrates our kupuna and their passion for the game and community,” Roth said. “Our continued investment in the upkeep and maintenance of our park facilities is directly related to the health and well-being of our community, and we are grateful to see so many out here competing and having fun. A huge mahalo to our staff and the soon-to-be Kupuna Activities Division for all their work in setting up this event and the many others that give our kupuna and community something to look forward to every year.”
The games played during this tournament will count toward the seeding for the Hawai‘i State Senior Citizens Softball Tournament, which will be hosted by EAD from Aug. 6-8 at Kailua Park in Kona. The County of Hawai‘i hosts this statewide tournament every four years, and 62 teams will participate.
For more information about the Hawai‘i Kupuna Softball Tournament and upcoming events, please contact the Department of Parks and Recreation’s Elderly Activities Division.