by Jeff Fisher
Hawaii High School Football Huddle
While all high school athletic programs are being challenged by the economic crisis, none may be hurting more than the Hawaii High School Athletic Association.
Last month it was announced that approximately $1.2 million will be cut from Hawaii’s public high school athletic programs for the 2009-10 school year. HHSAA said that the budget cut amounts to approximately 50% of the funding needed for supplies, equipment, and ground transportation for 45 public high schools statewide, and that the budget cut would require drastic measures to be undertaken, including the possible cutting of all public high school junior varsity sports.
On Thursday, however, Foodland Super Market announced that it wanted to do something to help. Hawaii’s largest and locally-owned and operated grocery retailer has announced it will partner with its customers to support the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) to help save athletic programs in public schools.
Beginning Monday, August 17 and running through Aug. 31, customers are encouraged to make a donation of any amount up to $249 at checkouts at any Foodland and Sack N Save store statewide. Foodland will match all customer donations dollar for dollar up to a total of $50,000 for all donations combined.
“We were saddened to hear about the recent budget cuts to Hawaii’s public school athletic programs, and we want to do what we can to support our schools and community,” said Jenai S. Wall, Foodland Chairman and CEO. “We know our customers also recognize the importance of high school athletics and we’re pleased to provide them with an easy way to help, along with an incentive to do so,” continued Wall. “Together with our customers, through donations made at checkout in the next 2 weeks and Foodland’s $50,000 matching gift, we hope to give $100,000 to the Hawaii High School Athletic Association.”
“We are overwhelmed by the thoughtfulness and generosity of Foodland to join together with its customers to help us during this challenging time, ” said Keith Amemiya, HHSAA Executive Director. “With 30 Foodland and Sack N Save stores statewide, it really does make it easy for everyone to help in whatever way they can.”
The High School Football Huddle salutes Foodland and Sack N Save for taking leadership during tough times!!
Pac-Five quarterback P.J. Minaya is on fire. Saturday he tied a Hawaii state record with eight touchdown passes in Pac-Five's 66-40 win over McKinley. The Wolf Pack QB threw seven TD passes in the season opener and has now thrown for 729 yards in two games. The eight TD effort ties the mark set by Timmy Chang of St. Louis in 1999.
