Official Club Name: Hawaiian Islands Water Polo Club
Director: Jerry Matayoshi
On the Web: www.hiwpclub.com
Age Groups and Genders: 5th - 12th grade boys and girls; masters men and
women
By the Numbers: 130 members
Main Pool: The club calls the Punahou School Pool home
Club Coaches: Ken Smith and Dave Pietsch - 18U, 16U Boys and
Masters Men, Ken Smith and Maureen Flanagan - 18U, 16U Girls, 14U Boys and
Girls, Masters Women
How They Got Started: The club started way back in 1970 to serve as a
base for developing high school programs in the area and also to encourage
younger age groups to get involved. What started out with some 30 kids has now
morphed into around 130.
Where Do They Practice: Punahou School
At Capacity: The Hawaiian Islands club is in the interesting position of
having the ability to grow but the common problem of limited pool space. The
club currently can't accomodate too many more players and would like to see
other clubs start up in the area to help facilitate all the players as well as
broaden the competition.
Games Anyone: One of the major problems for this club being located a
good five hour flight from the mainland is competition. While a club team in
California might play 40-45 games during their summer season Hawaiian Island
will only have a few. It's one of the main reasons they started the Hawaiian
Invitational Tournament some 40 years ago.
Where Do They Play: The big event every year is the Hawaiian Invitational
held every August which draws a solid crop of competition to the island. Beyond
that the team does venture to the mainland for select tournaments such as the S
& R Sport Junior Olympics.
Looking Ahead: One of the club's main goals is to help promote the growth
of water polo in Hawaii. Girl's water polo is on the rise and there is potential
for the growth of new clubs. It is the hope of many that this interest will also
carry over to the boy's side.
Famous Alumni: The club has had great success at the college level with
NCAA players of the year, All-Americans, and nearly 100 players have tied on a
cap collegiately. On the national team level current club coach Maureen Flanagan
was part of the women's senior team during their lead up to the 2004 Olympics
while Brandon Brooks was the starting goaltender for the men's team in 2004 and
is in contention for a roster spot for the upcoming games in Beijing, China.
Another feather in the cap of the club is Aaron Chaney, a former player turned
referee who will serve as the United States referee at the 2008 Olympic Games.
Why Hawaiian Islands: The basics of any good club, they promote positive
coaching, the players learn fundamentals, and everyone has fun.