This page is dedicated to our "Kupuna," who have contributed with the development of our organization.
First of all, is the original founder of our Keaukaha Volleyball Club and that is Mr. Raymond K. Rowe Sr.. His "timelss" dedication, and his "priceless" contributions to our community, will live on through all the individuals whom he has touched. We are in the process of developing a foundation in his honor, and we hope to continue his legacy.
Celebration of Life - Raymond K. Rowe Sr. 
August 16, 1936 - June 30, 2006
RAYMOND KAULANANAPUAOHAWAII ROWE, SR., 69, "MR. ROWE", passed away on Friday, June 30, 2006 at his residence. He was born in Honolulu, HI on August 16, 1936. He was a retired Recreational Director for the County of Hawaii, Dept. Of Parks and Recreation - Kawananakoa Hall in Keaukaha, and former supervisor of FGI Security at the UH Hilo/Hawaii Community College.
He was - a coach, a mentor, a supporter or a director of the following organizations: All Hawaiian, Keaukaha Surferettes, Keaukaha Aloha Center, Keaukaha Golf Club, Keaukaha JD Express, Keaukaha Rapp Center, Keaukaha Cardinals, Keaukaha Community Association, Keaukaha Neighborhood Watch, Na Opio O Keaukaha, Keaukaha Volleyball Club, Crivello Bus, Hilo Fil-American Bengals, Hawaiian Golf Club, BIIF Volleyball Official Association, 1st Hilo Team in the Pacific Rim Volleyball Tournament, 1st Hilo Team in our USVBA Nationals, and various other community and youth athletic associations.
He is survived by spouse, Eva Poai Rowe; four sons, Raymond "Lana" (Kim) Rowe Jr., Kenneth (Roxie) Rowe, Jarrod "Jay" Rowe, and Lance "Kanani" (Ashley) Rowe; daughter, Evalynne "Lena" Rowe; son-in-law, Brian Keith Kalauli (due to passing of my sister RayAnn, and 2 older brothers who passed away at a very young age); two hanai daughters, Sweetheart Rowe-Irvine of Waianae, HI and Katherine Gaison of Ewa Beach, HI; seventeen grandchildren & 1 great grandchild; Coley, Makamae, Kalaipono, Kaulana,Charlee, Kahealani, Jesse, Kennison, JayKoba, Mahina, Kenisha-Ann, Raymond III, Lawrence, Talia, Micheal-Jay, Liliana, Zoe, Kailey.
A partner for life, and a husband; as this December 2006 would have made 50 years; a beloved father, (not just for our own family, but almost every child who came around the gym / park; a “spoiling” “papa” or grand / great grand father, as he always provided or gave them whatever they wanted; a mentor, as his legacy for coaching exists with many of us today; for most of us “the coach,” the man who instilled “teamwork, trusts, and being the best that you can be,” and for many “Mr. Rowe,” as he stood for “respect, honesty, integrity, and discipline.” He was man who just didn’t “say it,” but he “lived it.”
I remember one of his favorite saying was, “do what I tell you to do, and not what I do.” And I always wondered why he said it, and then the light came on, and I figured it out. He tested us, our own family, and used us as his guinea pig, and if it worked he used it on everybody else.
A man, born and raised on the island of Oahu, and in the early years boosted of being from “Kalihi Valley.” Graduated from Farrington High School, and moved to Hilo, after meeting a young tita named, “da champ” Eva Poai. His life changed immensely.
As all of you may know, my mother had 12 in her family (6 boys – Joe, Eddie, Abraham, Lawrence, George, and Dennis; & 6 girls – Rachel, Sarah, My mom, Mabel, Sybil, and Cathy), and they continued to add in with many additions, Uncle Sam; so my dad was surrounded with love. Most of all he had “papa” and “mama” Poai. They didn’t like him, as did most of the “young men” in Keaukaha. However he was determined to marry my mother, and make “Keaukaha” his home. Like “old school” Keaukaha, you needed to earn your right to live in Keaukaha, and I believe he did just that.
I believe he became a positive role model, insightful leader, strong supporter, and dedicated person in our community, and for all our “keiki” in our homestead. He dedicated his life to provide a “safe” and “educational” environment, by being involved with the educational development of every child, who participated in any of our athletic programs.
The #1 Rule was “bad grades, no play.” He even enforced this from grades K to 12.
The #2 Rule was “be good at home and school – and make sure you follow the rules.”
A number of times, with parental encouragement, parents preferred to have their kids be at practice or games, as my father had a way of disciplining all of us, now referred by most coaches as “positive” reinforcement.
In other realms considered to be in “good health and fitness.” As you all know running the entire practice is just a good stretch of legs, and building our cardio vascular muscles. Doing hundreds of push-up and sit-ups, helped us to develop upper body strength, and have a “strong center,” to keep the pounds off. If he liked you, you had a lot of attention, is when you “mess up” or make a “mistake” is when he shared his most compassionate side of himself.
You all know what I mean, his subtle caring voice, and words of encouragement, really motivated you to do better. He had such hine sights in “positive” coaching, and the development of our children of our community.
In December 14, 1957, he married my mother, and he set out on an adventure that many people can only dream of attaining. In the early years in Keaukaha, he endured many speed bumps and lots of resistance when it came to change. He needed to get support in making changes in our community, as he saw that all the kids in Keaukaha were the most gifted and talented kids in the state, but they lacked discipline, respect, and motivation. He realized then, as we do now, that our kids have the physical attributes, and talents, but we need them to concentrate on their academics.
Thus he created the Rules that needed to be followed, if you wanted to participate in sports. A man who got you “hooked” in sports then used this “vise” to get you to do well in school. He not only got the support of the parents, but he was able to get teachers, counselors, and principals involved. Not a day went by, when he didn’t get telephone calls about kids “not doing well,” and no matter what he was doing, he would take the time to go to the school(s) to find out what happen, and what had to be done.
Most kids were more afraid of “Mr. Rowe” coming to the school, then their own parents. Those of you who were fortunate to have this happen, are now thinking how “lucky” you were, as this man cared so much for “ALL” the children of Keaukaha, just as much, as he did his own children.
He boosts to us, how proud he was of many of you, and you know who you are, and where you are today. Most of you are now grandparents, retired, own companies, and continue to serve the people of our community in a positive way. The list is long and I would not be able to get it right, so I would like to give a “hand” to all of you, and say “thanks” from our father, “Mr. Rowe.”
Tonight, we are all wearing red, as this is / was my fathers favorite color. Red is the color of empowerment. It gives strength and enhances our life force energy. Focus on red when you need to increase your energy, work on unconditional love or simply be more empowered. When you wear the color red you will be noticed. This is a color that says stop and look at me. The color red will help you to overcome negative and pessimistic ideas. It encourages and support the following:
1. Strengthens physical energy.
2. Confidence: You can do anything you desire.
3. Physical Strength
4. Power
5. Action, movement, change and transformation.
I always wondered why he wanted red in most of our uniforms for many years, and now we know why. He wanted us to not just "play good," but he always said we needed to "look good."
Our father’s life was all about “respect, discipline, being humble, trusts, integrity, honor, and doing things from your heart.” These words most of us continue to live with, and are essential items utilized in most business, organizations, and other groups today.
RESPECT – Yourself, one another, and every one else around you.
DISCIPLINE – Stay focus, complete the task on hand, work hard towards your personal goals. (ie, study hard, prepare for the unexpected, etc…)
HUMBLE - Never brag about how good you are, let others tell you. Don’t talk, but walk the walk, and yet be respectful.
TRUSTS - Give it, only if the other person earned it. Know that if I set my block correctly, the person behind you will be there to dig it up. Knowing that when I tell you, I’m going to get things done, it will get done.
INTEGRITY - Is stand up for your rights, and to support what you believe in. I am a man of my word, and what I say goes; even if it meant going against others.
HONOR - Be proud, as it is a privilege of representing “KEAUKAHA.” Representing your parents, siblings, moopuna, kupuna and everyone who has come before us, and everyone who will come after.
DOING THINGS FROM YOUR HEART - Give the T-shirt off your back, split your last piece of fish, or just being their in times of need, such as now.
WE, will all miss him very, very much. The big whole in our hearts, in our soul, and in our minds, will be there for a very long time. However, all each and everyone needs to do is just look at each other, talk about the days of long ago, reminisce about the scolding, the hard training, getting yelled at even if we won, and remember; then you will begin to laugh, a warm sensation will start to fill the void, and you’ll be “pono” again.
If we can increase the number of children who not just go to college, vocational training or to the military, and if we can get them all to come home, start careers, open new businesses, and yet be able to preserve our heritage of our past. That would make my father go “wow,” and make him smile. |
