Sixteen individuals have been selected as the 2022-23 recipients of the HHSAA Officials of the Year in their respective sport.
The recipients are — Ikaika Nishimura (baseball), Pete Arceo (boys basketball), Robert “Bobby” Ajifu (girls basketball), Joel Shugart (cheerleading), Todd Lynch (football), Sheldon Konno (judo), Brandon Rivera (boys soccer), Kylie Bluemke (girls soccer), Carlos Santana (softball), Saint Marie Gough (swimming and diving), Mike Gearen (tennis), Bob Martin (track and field), Ian Kusao (girls water polo), Don Gerber (wrestling), Fred Pu (boys volleyball) andPat Akana (girls volleyball)
“Officials play an important role in conducting athletic events,” said HHSAA information director and HSOHOF board member Natalie Iwamoto. “We proudly recognize these outstanding officials for their dedication and are committed to supporting all officials at the high school level.”
Additionally, two individuals have been selected for the OC16 Volunteer of the Year award — Brandy Burke, a long-time sports information specialist and support staff member with Kahuku High School — and Debbie Suyat, a long-serving volunteer involved with basketball, volleyball and outrigger canoe paddling operations for Kamehameha Schools, the Interscholastic League of Honolulu and the HHSAA.
The 16 officials and two volunteers of the year will be recognized as part of the in-person ceremony of the Hawaii Sports Officials Hall of Fame induction banquet on Sunday, Sept. 3, 5:30 pm at the Ala Moana Hotel.
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The Hawaii Sports Officials Hall of Fame (HSOHOF) announced the 6 officials to be inducted to the Class of 2023.
The officials are Denice Hanson (volleyball), Dr. Lloyd Hisaka (football, basketball), Donald Meinel (softball), J. Craig Petersen (basketball), John Smith (baseball) and Glenn Young (football).
The six will also be honored at the Sept. 3 ceremony.
Denice Hanson
Although she was an outstanding volleyball and canoe paddling athlete, she was known for her many appearances as a volleyball official. Officiated at nearly every level from league play to high school to USA Volleyball and ultimately a NCAA Division I official working for the Western Athletic and Big West Conferences. Her biggest accomplishments were earning USA Volleyball Junior National and National Officials Certification as well as traveling to California to work WAC volleyball matches. Hanson passed away in 2021.
Dr. Lloyd Hisaka
His contribution to Hawaii officiating extends beyond the football field and basketball courts. For nearly 50 years he taught college students to officiate flag football as part of the UH Manoa intramural sports program. He also served on the NFHS football rules committee and honored as an NFHS distinguished official. On the field, he worked collegiate and high school football and basketball since 1976. He also was a founding member of the Hawaii Football Official’s Clinic.
Donald Meinel
As a mentor to countless softball officials in his career, Donald Meinel taught respect for the game and how to officiate and enjoy the game. Since 1988, he umpired slow and fast-pitch games as well as worked high school and collegiate games in Division I and II. Behind the scenes, he was elected president of the Amateur Softball Association of Hawaii in 1985 and served 3 years until his appointment as Commissioner of USA Softball in 1988 and served in that role for 33 years until his retirement in 2021.
J. Craig Petersen
His officiating career is among the who’s who of basketball officials in Hawaii. He joined Hawaii Basketball Official’s Association under Hawaii Sports Officials Hall of Fame Inductee, James Aiona in 1972 and quickly rose to be among the top high school officials on Oahu. He worked high school basketball games for 17 seasons, including two HHSAA State Championship games. In 1979 Craig was hired to officiate in the Western Athletic Conference and worked full schedules in both Hawaii and on the mainland. He is the only Hawaii official to work a WAC men’s championship game in 1993.
John Smith
A native of Louisiana, John Smith moved to Hawaii in 1966 and soon began working as an umpire a year later in the Majors Division of the Palolo Little League. In, 1971, he started umpiring Babe Ruth and high school junior varsity. Two years later he worked varsity, AJA and American Legion games. In 1975, he started umpiring University of Hawaii games. His two sons (Gene and David) played on the UH baseball teams during this period and had outstanding careers. In the 1980s, he began scheduling umpires for American Legion, high school, AJA and the Hawaii Baseball League. He passed away in 2017.
Glenn Young
Although many people knew him as a long-time assistant basketball coach and founder of the ‘Iolani Classic, Glenn had a distinguished career as a football official.
He worked over 25 years working in the Oahu Interscholastic Association and worked multiple OIA championships, the Oahu Prep Bowl and the first two HHSAA state championship games.
He was a very respected rules administrator and well regarded in the OIA and was also among first coordinator of officials for the HHSAA football championships. He passed away in 2015.
