Bears-Lunas’ Rivalry Extend to “No Ka Oi” Trophy

The Lahainaluna football team sings its alma mater in the parking lot of the Honokawai Times Supermarket, Oct. 7. Photo by Tad Fujiwara / Times.Supermarkets.

By Rodney S. Yap

The annual gridiron rivalry between Baldwin and Lahainaluna high schools receives a boost beyond the football field each year, thanks to Times Supermarkets.

Called the “Fundraiser Rally,” held the weekend before the second-round game, the event is a community spirit and fundraising competition between Baldwin and Lahainaluna. The two Maui Interscholastic League football teams take their long-running rivalry away from War Memorial Stadium and into their respective communities to see who can sell more chicken plates — at $8 a plate — to support their programs.

With the “No Kai Oi” trophy to his left, Baldwin head coach AJ Roloos thanks Times Supermarket for their support on Oct. 6 at the Kihei store. Pacific Radio Group’s Fred Guzman (right) served as the event’s master of ceremonies. Photo by Tad Fujiwara / Times Supermarkets.

The football teams sell plate-lunch tickets, set-up the BBQ pit in the store’s parking lot, cook and serve the plates. Baldwin held its fundraiser on Saturday, Oct. 6, at the Kihei store and Lahainaluna’s fundraiser was held Sunday, Oct. 7, at the Honokawai store. Both teams had plenty of help from coaches, parents, teachers, band members and other supporters.

Each team is required to provide labor, Times Supermarket gets everything else donated: chicken, rice, salad, soda, cookie and chips. Each team raised more than $12,000 for their respective athletic programs.

“Given the steep cuts in state funding experienced by public school athletic programs in Hawaii, fund-raising and donations have become indispensable for schools,” said Fred Guzman of Pacific Radio Group, who served as master of ceremonies on both days. “What makes the Times Supermarkets program so unique is that stores donate everything, the schools do the work and get to keep all of the proceeds. So, in a sense, this isn’t a handout because the schools have to work for the money.”

Baldwin assistant coach Mark Vaught (left) and parent Norman Reinhardt (middle) prepare the chicken to be cooked. Photo by Tad Fujiwara / Times Supermarkets.

At stake is the “No Ka Oi” perpetual trophy, presented to the winner of Saturday’s game between the rival schools, billed as “The Rematch.” The Lunas defeated the Bears, 32-0, in their first-round game on Sept. 7.

“The Rematch,” on Saturday, Oct. 13, will be held at War Memorial Stadium, beginning at 7 p.m.

Times Supermarket managers have agreed with the high school athletic directors and coaches to announce the winner of the “Fundariser Rally” after the game. Baldwin won bragging right to the “No Ka Oi” trophy the last two years.

This year, Times Supermarkets is giving away plate-lunch certificates to 30 winners during the Baldwin-Lahainaluna game.

* 30 rosters will have a special Times Supermarkets gold seal on the Times Supermarkets ad, which is on the back page of each roster.

BBQ chicken ready to eat. Photo by Tad Fujiwara / Times Supermarkets.

* Special-marked rosters (30 of them) will be randomly distributed at the gate.

* Stadium announcer Spike Tavares will announce that the special-marked rosters can be redeemed after the game, at the exit gate on the Kihei end of the stadium, for the Times gift certificate. Winners are asked to look for the Times Supermarket banner, where Times Supermarkets marketing manager will distribute the gift certificates.

* Each certificate will be for a FREE plate lunch from Times Supermarkets. Redeemable at the Kihei or Honokawai store locations.