Football alumni from Big Island, Germano host third iteration of Ho'omau Football Camp
Ho'omau Football Camp, an annual celebration of football and community, descended upon Kealakehe High School's Waverider Stadium on the Big Island of Hawaii last weekend. This event marked the third year running, held for 300 eager elementary, middle, and high school football fanatics hankering to hone their craft. Boys and girls of all ages were invited to join in the festivities.
The little ones focused on mastering the basics, perfecting their quarterback, receiving, running, and tackling maneuvers. Competition ran high with friendly contests and fantastic prizes at stake. Meanwhile, the high school participants were treated to a glimpse of collegiate-level training drills, giving them a peek into the world of high-performance football. Despite prior experience, the event welcomed newcomers to the sport, offering them the chance to test their mettle.
The brainchild of 2020 Kamehameha-Hawaii graduate, Wilde Germano, and Colorado State University–Pueblo alum, the Ho'omau Football Camp is a star-studded affair. A team of Big Island football legends, including Hilo graduate Kilohana Haasenritter (University of Oregon), Konawaena alumni Austin Ewing (Southern Utah), Wyatt Wehrsig (Whitworth University), Keoki Alani (Santa Rosa College), HPA graduate Kukila Lincoln (University of Montana), and KSH graduate Teva Reynolds (Georgia Southern), lent their expertise to the gathering.
Admission was granted free of charge, though attendees were asked to bring one canned good per camper as a small token of contribution. The canned goods will be generously donated to local West Hawaii food banks.
In contrast to the previous year's camp, which took place at KSH, Germano saw value in shifting the location to the Kona side, where around 100 Kona kids had reveled in the fun the year prior. Germano's aim was to return love and support to the West Side, as he believes the Big Island is strengthening its reputation as a competitive football force, boasting recent state champions such as Konawaena and Hilo.
The name Ho'omau, which translates to "to persevere, continue or endure" in Hawaiian, was chosen by Germano due to the perseverance and resilience exhibited by him and the other coaches during their own Big Island athletic careers, as they strived to secure roster spots at collegiate programs. As coaches, they hope to encourage grit and tenacity within the campers.
As Ho'omau camper, Germano understands the importance of self-belief in achieving lofty goals. He believes that faith in oneself is crucial as it demonstrates to others that one is determined and focused on success. His hope is that the ethos of Ho'omau reflects his and his fellow coaches' journey to college football.
Perseverance and giving back to the community that helped raise him have been essential aspects of Germano's life. He sees the camp as a chance to pay it forward, as he grew up on the island dreaming of greatness and was inspired by the support of his community.
"I come from the Big Island, and it fills me with immense pride," states Germano. "The people here, they shaped me, and they helped me get where I am today. It's really about giving back to the community that invested so much in me."
Haasenritter, the camp's Defensive Back at the University of Oregon, shares in Germano's sentiments, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and passing on knowledge and experience to the next generation of football players. "I was once in these kids' shoes," Haasenritter notes. "Learning and gaining information from other coaches made me better, pushing me to the level I am today. I'm here to give it back, to help foster the next generation of top-tier athletes on the Big Island."
The event was met with overwhelming community support, drawing parents and well-wishers to cheer on the young athletes on this memorable day. Germano also points to the campers' extraordinary opportunity to connect and compete with their current and future competition, making this summer a memorable one for all involved.
Resources:[1] HoopScoopOnline.com. (2019). Hawai'i Prep World Quarterfinalists Reflect on Successful 2018 Season. [online] Available at: https://hoopsscooponline.com/2019/02/18/hawaii-prep-world-quarterfinalists-reflect-successful-2018-season/
[2] Keaau-Pahoa High School. (2020). NEWS. [online] Available at: https://www.kphs.org/o/kphs/page/news--44964
[3] SunStar-Cagayan de Oro. (2021). Meant to Inspire Resilience. [online] Available at: https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1909351/Mindanao/Cagayan-de-Oro/Meant-inspire-resilience
[4] HawaiiCivilBeat.com. (2020). County to Offer Free Meals over Summer Vacation to Ensure Children Don't Go Hungry. [online] Available at: https://hawaiicivilbeat.com/2020/06/county-to-offer-free-meals-over-summer-vacation-to-ensure-children-dont-go-hungry/
- The Ho'omau Football Camp, focusing on sports, education-and-self-development, and personal-growth, aims to endure as a community event that nurtures the next generation of American football players.
- Honing their skills in football, participants at the Ho'omau Football Camp engage in friendly competitions with sports-betting inspiring prizes, producing an environment full of excitement and camaraderie.
- In the realm of high-performance American football, the Ho'omau Football Camp provides glimpses into the world of sports analysis, with collegiate-level training drills offered to ambitious high school athletes.
- Arena of football legends like Kilohana Haasenritter, Austin Ewing, Wyatt Wehrsig, and others shared their expertise at the Ho'omau Football Camp, contributing to the growth of the football community.
- By holding the Ho'omau Football Camp at a location other than KSH, the event organizer, Wilde Germano, aimed to strengthen the Big Island's reputation in football by giving back to the community that supported him during his journey to college football, with the hopes of inspiring resilience and fueling the growth of sports on the island.
