Five individuals who helped bring an important piece of local history back to life were recognized by the Honolulu City Council during its Full Council meeting on October 7.
Ann Asakura, Gail Harada, Deborah Pope, Dennis S. Kodama, AIA, and Grover Ishii were honored for their efforts to restore and re-establish the Waipahu Sports Legends Monument at Hans L’Orange Baseball Park.
The monument tells a story that reaches beyond the 19 athletes whose names appear on it. It reflects a time when plantation fields became gathering places, where coaches, teachers, families and community leaders created opportunities for young people to play, compete and build character.
That history is particularly meaningful to communities throughout Central and 'Ewa O'ahu, where generations were shaped by Hawai'i’s plantation era and the schools, athletic programs and neighborhood fields that grew alongside them.
The story begins in 1924, when plantation manager Hans L’Orange helped secure cane fields for worker recreation. The field eventually became known as Hans L’Orange Baseball Park. In 1999, the community marked the field’s 75th anniversary by dedicating a monument honoring 19 athletes and community sports leaders.
Over time, however, the original monument deteriorated and was eventually deaccessioned. That could have been the end of the story.
Instead, three former commissioners with the Mayor’s Office of Culture and the Arts made its restoration a passion project. Pope researched historical records and helped uncover the stories behind the athletes. Harada developed the historical text, while Asakura spearheaded private fundraising to help make the project possible.
Kodama helped bring the project together, coordinating the location, designer, fabricator and installation. Ishii, a graphic designer, created the monument design. Together, their work ensured that the names and stories would not be lost.
For Ann Asakura, Gail Harada, Deborah Pope, Dennis Kodama and Grover Ishii, restoring a piece of Waipahu’s history meant ensuring the contributions of past generations would continue to be remembered. Photo: Josh Koh
Remembering the 19 Legends
The monument honors athletes and mentors whose accomplishments span baseball, boxing, cycling, track and field, wrestling and other sports:
Hans L’Orange — Plantation manager who helped establish the historic recreation field.
Takemi Arakawa — Champion pentathlete and 1931 Junior Olympic Games representative.
Macario “Mac” Flores — Beloved coach and co-founder of the Waipahu Jackrabbits.
Andrew “Andy” Ganigan — AAU champion and Hawai‘i’s first world boxing champion.
Walter Gouveia Sr. — Distance runner who competed at the 1936 Olympic Trials and Boston Marathon.
Kenneth Kimura — Multi-sport athlete and educator who helped establish the Waipahu Jackrabbits.
Katsuji “Kats” Kojima — Powerful centerfielder remembered for his legendary home run at Hans L’Orange Field.
Crispin “Cris” Mancao — Respected left-handed pitcher who competed in Hawai‘i leagues and for the Islanders.
James Moniz — Renowned cyclist whose around-the-island record stood for 40 years.
Richard Noda — University of Hawai‘i wrestling standout, physician, coach and Waipahu Jackrabbits co-founder.
Richard “Ricky” Oamilda — Versatile athlete who competed in numerous sports.
Henry “Prince” Oana — Waipahu’s first Major League baseball player.
Albert “Al” Silva — Longtime boxing leader and developer of Police Activities League boxing.
Mitsuru “Brown” Watabu — Veteran catcher who competed throughout Hawai‘i’s baseball system.
Johnny Yasui — Waipahu’s first professional boxer and member of the renowned Yasui boxing family.
Eddie Yasui — Hawai‘i AAU champion and 1937 Junior National Bantamweight Champion.
Freddy Yasui — AAU champion and founder and historian of the Old-Timers Boxing Club.
Chester Yasui — AAU champion who competed nationally and was considered for the 1943 U.S. Olympic team.
Masa Yonamine — Coach and athletic director who helped athletes earn scholarships while emphasizing character and education.
These 19 names represent only a small part of the many athletes, coaches, teachers, mentors and community members who helped shape Hawai‘i’s sporting heritage.
Thanks to Asakura, Harada, Pope, Kodama and Ishii, their stories once again have a permanent place in the community. Their work is a reminder that preserving local history is not simply about remembering the past.
It is about making sure future generations know the people and places that helped build the communities they call home.
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