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| Shane Victorino hailed his Native Hawaiian upbringing with teaching him the values of family and keeping grounded, at the Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce's Business Fest in November. - Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom |
A favorite son returns home
Shane Victorino hails Hawaiian
values as part of his success
By Lisa Asato / Ka Wai Ola
World Series champion Shane Victorino was welcomed with open arms by fans on O'ahu and Maui, just weeks after helping the Philadelphia Phillies clinch its first championship since 1980 and after being named a Gold Glove recipient for being one of the top defensive players in the National League.
At Les Murakami Stadium at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa, Victorino threw out the ceremonial opening pitch at a Hawai'i Winter Baseball game to 2008 Little League World Champion Pikai Winchester and admitted later to reporters he was worried about his pitch reaching home plate. “No questions asked,” said Victorino, who also tossed signed baseballs to the crowd. “You always dream of coming back to a place where you watched baseball as a kid growing up. And to be honored, I definitely was nervous.”
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| Fans, with Hawaiian Island Creations CEO Leigh Tonai, in red, enjoy a laugh with the world champ. - Photo: Blaine Fergerstrom |
But Victorino saved his first official autograph session in the Islands' for his home island, Maui, where about 400 gathered for the opening of a Hawaiian Island Creations store in Lahaina Cannery Mall to meet the baseball standout and take home a keepsake. “I'm a switch hitter like (Victorino),” said 13-year-old Noah Camara, who, like his younger brother Isaiah, got his baseball autographed. “We're from Maui too,” Noah said, “so I'm proud of him and thanking him for being the first Maui boy to play in the World Series, and I hope I can go too.”
Howard Ka'ai, who came with his son Matini Makana Perlas-Ka'ai, said seeing a Native Hawaiian excel on the world stage gives young Native Hawaiians something to aim for. “Not to many Hawaiians get the chance to play in the big leagues, so that's good for the local kids, they can look at him … (and see) it is possible, anything is possible.”
That's the message Victorino had for the kids in Lāhaina. “Work hard in school, work hard on the field,” he told them. “In fact, you never know what can happen. I used to come to this mall when I was a kid. Hopefully 20, 30 years from now I can come back and watch you guys give a speech.”
Earlier that day, Victorino recalled his Native Hawaiian upbringing, which taught him lessons of staying grounded. “That's the one thing I always think (about),” he told a roomful of business folks gathering at the annual Maui Native Hawaiian Chamber of Commerce Business Fest at the Grand Wailea. “You always stay grounded, you always stay close to home, you always remember your family – that's what I always say about the state of Hawai'i, all the islands … is that we're 'ohana and no matter what we have to stay together.”
I MAOPOPO IĀ 'OE MANA'O
Third annual West O'ahu Baseball Clinic Shane Victorino headlines island baseball clinics Dec. 10, 13 and 14. Other local pros participating in the clinics include Tyler Yates, (Kaua'i High, of the Pittsburgh Pirates) and Kila Ka'aihue ('Iolani, of the Kansas City Royals). >> Dec. 10, Patsy T. Mink Central O'ahu Regional Park, 2-6 p.m., for ages 8 to 18. >> Dec. 13 and 14, Vidinha Baseball Stadium on Kaua'i. The clinic for 8- to 12-year-olds will run from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.; ages 13 to 18 will be from 12:30-4:30 p.m. Cost is $55 per person for the O'ahu clinic and $70 for Kaua'i, includes a T-shirt, snack and a chance to receive baseball memorabilia. For more information, call 262-4538, visit kamaainakids.com, or email elitesports@kamaainakids.com. Other pros scheduled to appear are: Jeff Bailey of the Boston Red Sox, and Justin Germano, Colt Morton, Drew Macias and Shawn Wooten, all of the San Diego Padres. |
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