WAILUA — Kauai Golf Association president Dick Ueoka was pleased Wednesday that Robert Ahana hosted the wooden Kauai Golf Hall of Fame exhibit on the wall of the Wailua golf course.
“It’s almost the new year,” Ueoka said. “I have to finish this before the end of the year.”
The Kauai Golf Association and County of Kauai launched the Hall of Fame in March 2022, with the first inductees Toyo Shirai, David Ishii and Guy Yamamoto being honored by Mayor Derek SK Kawakami and members of Kauai County. Council, Ueoka and other KGA members were present.
“This was Ueoka’s vision,” said Wally Resentes Jr., deputy director of the County Parks and Recreation Department.
“He had a vision and worked hard to establish the Hall of Fame program for this sport and the contribution that Kauai inductees make to golf. A welcome message was packaged.”
Kamioka said the three Hall of Famers were selected by a panel that included himself, state legislator Jimmy Tokioka, Art Fujita, Sean Doi, and Jonathan Ohta.
Initially limited to committee nominations, Ueoka said the Kauai Golf Association made the process public so any member of the KGA could nominate a candidate for the Hall of Fame.
“This ties in with the KGA’s mission to promote golf on Kauai,” Ueoka said. “Lunch at Tiptop. Split the bill.”
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Dennis Fujimotostaff writers and photographers can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.