From left, District Marshall Larry Gonzales, Color Corps Commander Matt Smolko, Sir Knight Galo Camacho and District Marshall Melvin Cervantes. (Picture courtesy of Cam Datanagan)
By Robert Camilleri
Special to the Herald
Since the first Special Olympics International Games were held in 1968 at Chicago’s Soldier Field, the Knights of Columbus has been a strong supporter of the games which provide persons with developmental disabilities the opportunity to compete in a variety of athletic competitions.
In Hawaii this year, the Knights of Columbus donated $11,000 to Special Olympics Hawaii.
Over the course of two windswept days, Aug. 12-13, the 28th Annual Special Olympics Hawaii Aukake Classic Summer Games were held at Waiau District Park in Pearl City.
On Aug. 12, Hawaii Knights of Saint Anthony/Saint John Vianney Council 6307, Kamiano Council 11743, Our Lady of Perpetual Help Council 12045, Resurrection of the Lord Council 13663 and Saint Ann Council 14520 prepared and served a delicious lunch for athletes from Kauai, Oahu, Maui and Hawaii Island.
On Aug. 13, the Knights from Immaculate Conception Council 6734, Saint Joseph Council 10475, Saint Jude Council 12733, Saint John the Apostle and Evangelist Council 14663 and Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam Council 18025 prepared and served a full course breakfast for the participants.
The Aukake Games opened with a warm welcome from a representative of Special Olympics Hawaii to the athletes, coaches, families and volunteers. A moment of silence was observed for all the victims of the Maui wildfires. During the introduction of each island team, there was a heartfelt ovation for the team from Maui.
A Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Color Corps, in full regalia, consisting of members from Bishop Maigret Assembly 1577, Bishop James Sweeney Assembly 1826, Saint Damien Assembly 1332 and Kamiano Assembly 3894, presented the United States and Hawaii Flags while the national and Hawaii anthems were sung by all there.
Dan Jacobs of Kamiano Council 11743 and Robert Camilleri of Saint Joseph the Worker Council 15124 released a cage of white doves into the air, to the delight of all.
Special Olympics Hawaii presented State Deputy Randy Tom with a plaque honoring the Hawaii Knights of Columbus for their many years of donations and volunteer service.
Hawaii Knights, through their volunteer and fundraising efforts for Special Olympics, look forward to their continuing partnership with this outstanding organization.
