There was a long line of people waiting for the bus at the Kona Commons shopping center Saturday. But they weren’t passengers; they were pullers. There was a long line of people waiting for the bus at the Kona Commons
There was a long line of people waiting for the bus at the Kona Commons shopping center Saturday. But they weren’t passengers; they were pullers.
Fifteen teams participated in the annual Special Olympics Bus Pull Competition. The event raised money for Special Olympics West Hawaii, a nonprofit helping people with intellectual disabilities discover new strengths and abilities, skills and successes, through the power of sports.
The organization provides year-round sports programs, training and competition for more than 60 athletes from Waimea to Ka’u. It pays for the costs related to uniforms, equipment and transportation. Participation is free of charge, something that’s made possible through the generosity of the community, the dedicated efforts of numerous volunteers, and fundraisers like the Bus Pull Competition, said Special Olympics West Hawaii Area Director Sandie DelaCruz.
This isn’t the first time large objects have been moved to help Special Olympics West Hawaii. Prior to the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, teams used to compete to move an airplane. In the early 2000s, teams pulled a Hawaii Fire Department fire engine. The event then fell to the wayside until the bus-pulling idea resurfaced last year, when the organization began efforts to expand its means of fundraising, “with an even greater emphasis on fun,” said Denise Lindsey, the event coordinator and Special Olympics West Hawaii power lifting coach.
Approximately $3,000 was raised Saturday, Lindsey said.
There were multiple challenges, two of which showed off the sheer brunt of the 10-member teams’ strength. Teams first attempted to pull the Hawaii County Hele-On bus the fastest and then moved it with the lowest combined weight. Participants tugged the giant rope chained to the bumper of the 40-foot-long, 34,650-pound bus, which had one occupant — 175-pound bus driver Larry Domingo. Hundreds of spectators cheered them on.
Carl Stewart’s strategy was simple: “Keep gripping and running back.” His team, which represented Humpy’s Big Island Alehouse and Frisky Seal, decided to participate in the competition for the second time because the company believes in giving back to the Kona community and its employees enjoy the satisfaction received from contributing to a good cause, such as Special Olympics. He thinks events like the one Saturday are “a huge team motivator,” as well as brings employees even closer together and to the community.
The best part for Stewart was watching the Special Olympics athletes have the first pull. Initially, the bus barely budged. Determined, the athletes did not give in. Instead, they pulled harder and the bus moved forward. The crowd erupted with applause, whistles and joyful shouts.
“They showed anybody could do this,” Stewart said. “This event is great because it allows people to tackle the impossible and do the undoable.”
Special Olympics athlete Nancyn Honma said pulling the bus was a difficult task, one that doesn’t necessarily require superhuman strength. Teamwork, she added, is the most important.
Though Honma had never pulled a bus before, she knew she could do it because she’s lifted heavy objects during power lifting competitions and practices. Honma said the Bus Pull Competition is important because athletes get to meet new people and “can maybe make a bigger team to help Special Olympics.” For Honma, Special Olympics is three things: family, friends and fun.
The Pacific Island Fitness team won the Fastest Pull contest, with a time of 9.72 seconds. The Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union team came in second at 9.87 seconds and the Humpy’s team got third with 10.42 seconds, said Nikki Cleintuar, Special Olympics West Hawaii volunteer.
The 1,066-pound Hawaii Police Department and ATV Outfitters team won the Lowest Combined Weight contest. The 1,070-pound Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union team placed second and The Club In Kona team, which weighed 1,078 pounds, got third, Cleintuar said.
The Konawaena Class of 1986 team won the title of Most Enthusiastic. Besides showing lots of spirit and enthusiasm, team members donned green body sparkles, wildcat masks and ti leaves, Cleintuar said.
