It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Pearl Harbor Historic Sites Visitor Center gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Pearl City, HI is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“I love how office workers are reachable, friendly & helpful. I would love to get”
“After years of refusing In-home Care due to cost, My dad finally agreed to try”
“I am a current client of this provider They help me out a lot. I have good”
“I am a current client of this provider With my dad's everyday needs, especially bathing they”
“Tyler and his team are great! Love working with them.”
“After hiring the services of Always Best Care for approximately 70 consecutive days, I wanted”
“Always Best Care Senior Services have helped me in caring for my uncle while I”
“The new care we have is the best one I could ever ask for!! ”
“The worker was professional,,caring and punctual.”
“The new care we have is the best one I could ever ask for!! ”
“My aunt has been living in a nursing home for the last five years. In”
“Highly skilled, reliable and loving caregivers. They are the only agency to provide consistent care”
“We feel very blessed to have found Always Best Care! Tyler and his staff are”
“We feel very blessed to have found Always Best Care! Tyler and his staff are”
“Thank you Always Best Care for being a trusted parter with our transportation company. Looking”
“Thank you Always Best Care for being a trusted parter with our transportation company. Looking”
“I am a current client of this provider She will clean and she cooks. I like that”
“I am a current client of this provider She will clean and she cooks. I like that”
“Best home care agency so far! My dad is a was veteran who has been”
“Always Best Care has been caring for my husband for almost a year now. The”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care. When we needed their service, Marcus was able to”
“Staff was very professional and considerate of my needs. Response time and answering my questions”
“The best professional service!!!!”
“I love how office workers are reachable, friendly & helpful. I would love to get a service for them in the future. I worked here as a NA for almost 6 months already and this is the best agency out of 4 agencies I been to. They have a very efficient schedule, good team work, and appreciates or value their workers. I’m proud to say I’m part of this team.”
“After years of refusing In-home Care due to cost, My dad finally agreed to try Always Best Care to take him to see his doctors. At 95, my dad is not an easy person to get along with let alone for a stranger to be with him for a few hours and transporting him, with his walker, to and from the hospital. My dad just called and he is thrilled with his caretaker Madeleine for her kind attitude and helpfulness. I'm relieved that he has found a trusted person that can take him to see his doctors. I began talking to Ernel, the manager, about two months ago regarding this type of service for my dad and we stayed in touch. Ernel was always friendly and professional and was able to get Madeleine for my dad in very short notice. Tita, the administrator, followed up with all the contracts and statements and I'm now enrolled into their online system. Overall, the 5 star rating is well deserved. Aging is not fun. Watching my dad struggle with his daily routine is difficult. Having good people around like Always Best makes it a bit easier for the both of us. Thank you.”
“I am a current client of this provider They help me out a lot. I have good service from them that improves my health.”
“I am a current client of this provider With my dad's everyday needs, especially bathing they have helped. They are easy to work with, get ahold of, and communicate with us well. The people they sent have been good.”
“Tyler and his team are great! Love working with them.”
“After hiring the services of Always Best Care for approximately 70 consecutive days, I wanted to give the company a detailed review. I can honestly say I unequivocally and without hesitation, would recommend Always Best Care as a home health care agency. A vast majority of the caregivers are very conscientious and punctual. The company keeps our family very well informed via their "Family Room" function on their website. The administration and office staff are very thorough and meticulous. Special recognition to office staff (Marina, Abby, and Tita). A+++ company!!!!”
“Always Best Care Senior Services have helped me in caring for my uncle while I get more time to do my other affairs. I know he is in the best care and really appreciate their services.”
“The new care we have is the best one I could ever ask for!! She cares so much for my husband and is always there when he needs her to be. She is truly a angel that was sent to me by your company and I thank you so much for hiring her!! Aloha Jeff & Freda Pohaku”
“The worker was professional,,caring and punctual.”
“The new care we have is the best one I could ever ask for!! She cares so much for my husband and is always there when he needs her to be. She is truly a angel that was sent to me by your company and I thank you so much for hiring her!! Aloha Jeff & Freda Pohaku”
“My aunt has been living in a nursing home for the last five years. In the last year however, we have seen her health and cognitive abilities slowly decline. A social worker asked us to seek extra help from a home care agency to provide additional caregivers due to her growing needs. They provided our family with some options, but in the end, highly recommended Always Best Care. We asked other residents in the facility who were also using ABC, and they too recommended the agency . My aunt has been so pleased with her caregivers and we appreciate the entire staff at ABC. Their communication is outstanding, caregivers are compassionate and reliable and they always go out of their way to accommodate our changing needs. I highly recommend Always Best Care.”
“Highly skilled, reliable and loving caregivers. They are the only agency to provide consistent care for my dad who is receiving VA benefits.”
“We feel very blessed to have found Always Best Care! Tyler and his staff are very helpful, caring and pleasant to work with. I love that they can be reached 24/7 and are quick to find a caregiver for my sweet 90 year old mother, even at the last minute! True to their name, they always give their best care! I highly recommend you check them out! ????”
“We feel very blessed to have found Always Best Care! Tyler and his staff are very helpful, caring and pleasant to work with. I love that they can be reached 24/7 and are quick to find a caregiver for my sweet 90 year old mother, even at the last minute! True to their name, they always give their best care! I highly recommend you check them out! ????”
“Thank you Always Best Care for being a trusted parter with our transportation company. Looking forward to working with you and the wonderful team at ABC in the many years to come.”
“Thank you Always Best Care for being a trusted parter with our transportation company. Looking forward to working with you and the wonderful team at ABC in the many years to come.”
“I am a current client of this provider She will clean and she cooks. I like that the caregiver is on time and she completes her job.”
“I am a current client of this provider She will clean and she cooks. I like that the caregiver is on time and she completes her job.”
“Best home care agency so far! My dad is a was veteran who has been receiving in home care for awhile now. Our past experiences with other agencies have always been inconsistent. It's been difficult finding an agency who can provide experienced and reliable caregivers. However, the VA introduced us to Always Best Care about 6 months ago. Since then, we have been so pleased with the services they've provided. The office staff are so accessible and easy to talk to and the caregivers are second to none. They really enjoy their work and love working for the company. This really says a lot about ABC as a company, who treats their employees well. We feel safe and in good hands.”
“Always Best Care has been caring for my husband for almost a year now. The caregivers are so companionate, respectful and extremely reliable. The office staff are wonderful to work with. They stay in constant communication with my family and are always willing to go above and beyond what they are required to do. I recommended ABC to many of my friends and family members. Thank you!”
“I highly recommend Always Best Care. When we needed their service, Marcus was able to get us set up right away. Their caregivers provide my mom with excellent care. They help her with task around the house, meal prep, exercise, etc. Their staff is very friendly and accommodating. My mom looks forward to seeing them every day. I know my mom is good hands with Always Best Care.”
“Staff was very professional and considerate of my needs. Response time and answering my questions was timely. The services are very affordable. I recommend you contact them at the earliest opportunity to get a medical professional assigned to you & confirmed. I had no issues with them here.”
“The best professional service!!!!”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Pacific Palisades Community Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Pearl or visit Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge, Waiawa Unit, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Pearl City, HI, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Pearl City, HI understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Pearl City, HI 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The high school baseball season is well underway. Hawaii has several top prospects garnering national attention, including one out of Pearl City.With 12 seniors, experience is all around the Pearl City High School Chargers roster — a class headlined by infielder Logan Honma, the second ranked prospect in the state.“It was always kind of baseball. I played a few other sports when I was younger, like basketball and football, but I wasn’t really that good so it was always baseball,&rdqu...
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - The high school baseball season is well underway. Hawaii has several top prospects garnering national attention, including one out of Pearl City.
With 12 seniors, experience is all around the Pearl City High School Chargers roster — a class headlined by infielder Logan Honma, the second ranked prospect in the state.
“It was always kind of baseball. I played a few other sports when I was younger, like basketball and football, but I wasn’t really that good so it was always baseball,” said Logan Honma.
Part of the reason, it’s in his blood, Logan grew up at the Les Murakami Stadium.
He often attended games with his dad Neal, where back in the day, he made crowd pleasing plays in the Kelly Green.
UH fans could spot Neal in the outfield from 1995 to ’98.
Then later came his brother, Derek, who took over for Neal from 1998 to 2002. Both playing a pivotal role in Logan’s success.
“I try not to get too technical with him, just let him be because he’s pretty loose in terms of his mechanics,” said Neal Honma.
“My dad, them have been there so they teach me what they experienced throughout the years, said Logan.”
Though Neal’s time on the field is over, he’s found himself back in the dugout, as an assistant coach for the Chargers.
“I always tried to make sure that whenever he wanted to practice I was willing to do it,” said Neal Honma. “He always liked to put in the work, so I had to make sure that I never said no to throwing, batting practice, hitting him ground balls.”
Logan verbally committed to the University of Southern California back in 2023.
Since then, his draft stock skyrocketed, but his priorities haven’t.
He wants to bring the Chargers their first state championship in over a decade. Then make some noise for the Trojans.
“College is my main goal right now, I want to go to Omaha and try to win a Championship,” said Logan Honma.
Although he could forgo college and enter the draft, he knows he hasn’t reached his full potential yet, and USC just may be the place for him to grow.
“Where I am right now I think I can get a lot better, especially with those coaches, I think they have everything I need to get better and just develop more,” said Logan Honma.
Pearl City head coach Duane Eldredge said that “He has the talent to go pro, his numbers are all very strong, but I like when a boy wants to get his education because one day baseball ends.”
While being a highly touted prospect can add pressure, Logan likes to remember, “At the end of the day, it’s just a game and you gotta enjoy what you do.”
Meanwhile his dad says, “I just feel lucky that I get to be apart of it from when he was young to now.”
Copyright 2025 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.
SPORTSKANEOHE and PEARL CITY, Hawaii — Michael Bennett, the Seattle Seahawks’ retired Super Bowl XLVII champion defensive end, tried his hand at a little quarterbacking last weekend.Bennett lofted a football into the end zone on the turf field at Pearl City High School, where it was caught.The 11-year pro raised a fist in triumph and slapped hands with the receiver — not a former NFL teammate, but a keiki sporting a shirt emblazoned with “GIRLS FLAG” next to a Seahawks logo.[Note: ...
SPORTS
KANEOHE and PEARL CITY, Hawaii — Michael Bennett, the Seattle Seahawks’ retired Super Bowl XLVII champion defensive end, tried his hand at a little quarterbacking last weekend.
Bennett lofted a football into the end zone on the turf field at Pearl City High School, where it was caught.
The 11-year pro raised a fist in triumph and slapped hands with the receiver — not a former NFL teammate, but a keiki sporting a shirt emblazoned with “GIRLS FLAG” next to a Seahawks logo.
[Note: See below for more photos of the HIDOE/Seattle Seahawks flag football girls clinics.]
She and another girl acting as defensive back ran back to a pack of fellow participants for the next two in line to compete in one corner of the field. It was one of 10 skill stations at one of two camps — the previous day’s was at Castle High in Kaneohe — put on in by Seahawks staff in conjunction with the HHSAA and Hawaii Department of Education last weekend to introduce the state’s newest sanctioned sport ahead of its debut spring season.
“It’s important for men to support women's sports,” the Hawaii resident Bennett said afterward, “and seeing how the girls are such good athletes, and how football is kind of changing and being more open — the Seahawks are in a really important, pivotal place to allow this camp to happen.”
The camps reached the cap of 150 girls per day. They hailed from various high and middle schools across the state.
Campbell freshman Alexiis Amanonce Feliciano threw some balls next to Bennett and posed for a picture with him afterward, hoisting a friend atop her shoulders to roughly reach Bennett’s height.
“Honestly, he's a really good QB, like, did you see him throwing? Snap snap. Ten out of 10,” Amanonce Feliciano said.
She recently joined a flag football league and sees it as her sport going forward after participating in volleyball and track in middle school. Amanonce Feliciano wants to win her team’s starting quarterback job.
“Put the work in. That's what we did today,” she said, clapping her gloves together for emphasis. “And honestly, it was really good. I really loved it. It was a good mix of, like, work, but fun.”
Other stations included races to put on the flag belts; one-on-one competitions to snatch a flag from a ball carrier; cones to weave through; and targets for passing accuracy.
Each day was capped with a sprint relay competition and a MVP camper was named by the staff. At Pearl City, freshmen were the largest group and seniors the fewest.
Kawehionalani Jones, a middle schooler from Waimanalo, won the MVP at Pearl City and received an autographed Geno Smith jersey from Seahawks mascot Blitz.
“I was surprised, because I didn't think I was gonna get it,” said Jones, who plans to attend Kailua High next year. “But, I mean, I'm proud of myself that I did.”
She said she likes the sport because of the “adrenaline rush.”
Teams across the state entered tryouts on Monday. Forty-six DOE and charter schools are participating in Year 1, plus 12 private schools. Gear (jerseys, headguards, mouthguards) was donated for Year 1 from the Seahawks, HMSA and Hawaii Dental Service, but long-term funding for the fledgling sport must come from the Legislature.
DOE Superintendent Keith Hayashi said he was encouraged by the level of adoption statewide, noting the participants at the Castle camp included kids from all five Hawaii leagues — the MIL, BIIF, KIF, ILH and OIA.
“We’ve got Gov. Green and his sports (task force) behind this and they supported and (got) it going,” Hayashi told Spectrum News at Castle on Saturday. “Dana Takahara-Dias (the DOE’s Title IX coordinator) was key in all of this by helping to coordinate all of the athletic directors and the principals. I know the parents are excited about it. So I don’t think there's anybody that's not.”
Zoey Naboa, a freshman at Aiea High, looked around like a proud parent throughout Sunday’s camp at Pearl City as first-timers acclimated themselves. Naboa was taught to play flag by her dad when she was 2.
Last fall’s DOE announcement that the sport would be introduced was momentous for her.
“I was so happy, because, going on my whole life, I assumed I would have to drop football once I got to high school, because it wasn't a sport that could take you anywhere,” Naboa said. “But once I heard that, I was so happy that opportunities (for flag) came out and I could take it far in life.”
Castle High senior Kristiana Vegas-Dutro, a four-year basketball and volleyball athlete, is taking advantage of flag to play one more sport before her high school days are done.
“It's something that I do with my cousins on free time, and it's something that I've been wanting to do,” said Vegas-Dutro, who heard about the DOE camps through social media.
There has been some talk that flag football will peel away athletes from other sports in an already crowded spring season.
Lilyanne Florendo, a Kalani High sophomore who played water polo last season, said at Saturday’s camp at Castle that she has chosen to play flag instead this spring.
“Our coaching staff actually really promoted (the camp) because it was a good opportunity to meet other girls that play flag football and to just get exposure on this new sport, because this is my first year playing it, and this is our coaches' first year coaching it,” said Florendo, a manager on the Falcons football team whose father played football.
Part of the reasoning for spring was to align with the college season for scholarship opportunities, Takahara-Dias told Spectrum News. The Atlantic East Conference recently became the first league to introduce the sport at the NCAA level.
Hayashi said he would leave it up to athletic directors, principals and leagues to determine what season flag should be played beyond its pilot season.
“There are competing sports, and they know best what needs to go where,” Hayashi said. “I think in the end, (it’s about) having the event in high school athletics.”
There are no classification tiers (including no junior varsity) in the pilot season.
Enthusiasm was high at the two camps. A Seahawks contingent led the way plus a handful of local coaches.
Mario Bailey, Seahawks vice president of community engagement and legends, said the franchise was hoping that Washington would become the 12th state to introduce flag football as a sanctioned high school sport. That honor instead went to Hawaii.
“We're going to actually have a vote again in April, but Hawaii has been going at it strong, and we want to make sure that they keep going and just kind of teach the girls the game, get them started,” Bailey said.
He noted that 38 colleges and universities now offer scholarships for flag football and it will be a sport at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
OIA games will typically take place as doubleheaders at one site.
According to an OIA schedule reviewed by Spectrum News, the Oahu public school league’s playoffs begin April 14.
The state will use an 80-by-40-yard space for its games on a traditional turf football field. Competition is 7-on-7. Mouthguards are mandatory and soft-shell helmets are recommended for all players.
Kalani freshman Nellie Stowers has chosen to play flag over track, water polo and club soccer. Her dad and brother told her to go out for the team, but she didn’t need much convincing.
“I was like, yeah, I know, I'm gonna love this,” Stowers said.
Stowers said at the Castle camp that Kalani had about 30 girls come out in the preseason. Some stuck with it, some did not.
“We've been throwing the ball around, just running routes and just getting used to the feeling of being on offense, defense, trying out all these new positions to see where we want to play,” Stowers said.
Castle sophomore Zerah Charles-Kalili said about 15 players were coming out regularly in the preseason for a max roster size of 25.
Charles-Kalili, who paddled as a freshman, hopes to play cornerback.
“What I like about the sport probably would be being step out of my comfort zone and finally be able to do something that I wanted to do for a while,” she said. “I just didn't have the opportunity to.”
A clinic participant weaved through cones at Castle High. (Spectrum News/Brian McInnis)
Note: This story has been updated with photos from Saturday's Seahawks/DOE clinic at Castle High.
Note: This story has been updated with details and quotes from officials and participants.
Brian McInnis covers the state’s sports scene for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at brian.mcinnis@charter.com.
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