Sabers’ softball field to be named in Mink’s honor
By ROBERT COLLIAS, Staff Writer
POSTED: March 8, 2008
Article Photos
Fittingly, Maui High School is the site of the field, which will be officially unveiled at 2 p.m., and then host a 3:30 p.m. game between the Sabers and Kamehameha Maui.
Mink, a longtime U.S. Congresswoman from Hawaii, was a 1945 graduate of the old Maui High at Hamaku-apoko. Her legislation in 1973 led to Title IX — now known as the Patsy T.
Mink Education and Opportunity Act — and was instrumental in the development of athletic opportunities for females at all levels.
‘‘Yes, it is very touching, I don’t know the right word to use exactly, but she did
work so hard,’’ said Ruth Mukai, Mink’s first cousin and a 1947 graduate of Maui High. ‘‘I feel she deserves to be recognized this way.’’
The dedication of the field started as an idea by Maui High principal Randy Yamanuha in 2000. When a state gender-equity commission released a list of eight schools to get softball fields a few years ago, Maui High was the only one to receive lights in the plans.
King Kekaulike and Lahainaluna also received new fields, which will be used this season.
It would be hard to imagine any of it being possible without the work of Mink, who died in 2002.
‘‘It is only fitting that she is a graduate of Maui High and when she was here she built the foundation that served her later in her political career,’’ Yamanuha said. ‘‘She was the former student body president, so her political career started here. Her dedication to equality started way back in high school. She decided to break that glass ceiling and we are the beneficiary of having one of the best girls softball fields in the state.’’
The Sabers will play their eight-game home schedule at the field and three of the games will be played under the lights, according to Maui High athletic director Scott Soldwisch. Twelve other MIL regular-season games will be played at the facility, and the league’s Division I tournament will be there April 24-26 and May 1-3.
‘‘We almost had it done for last year’s season, but to have it now as the girls and everybody has been waiting on pins and needles to get in there, I’m sure everyone is excited to get in there and start playing,’’ Soldwisch said. ‘‘To me it was just a natural to name it after Patsy Mink because of Title IX. Gender equity was because of Title IX and I think it is fitting that we — Patsy Mink’s school — are the flagship field for the state, the only one with lights.’’
Mukai will be joined at today’s ceremony by Mink’s brother, Bruce Takemoto, who will be speaking on behalf of the family in the dedication ceremony. Mukai’s two children will be in attendance and Mink’s daughter, Wendy Mink, will send a message from the Mainland. Joan Manke, Patsy Mink’s former chief of staff, will also be among the 200 friends and family that Mukai estimated will be in attendance.
‘‘I don’t think she knew it would be this big, that it would touch so many lives,’’ Mukai said of Mink’s legacy. ‘‘At her funeral I was so touched by the number of people that came and said she she touched their lives — not only Title IX, but other things as well. She has touched so many lives, of course some of the boys are mad at us. But you look at the University of Hawaii volleyball team, for example, and it is so amazing.’’
UH associate athletic director Marilyn Moniz-Kahoohanohano will also be in attendance.
‘‘I’m excited to be able to come over and be part of the dedication of the Maui High School softball field and naming it in honor of Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink,’’ Moniz-Kahoohanohano said. ‘‘I just consider it an honor; she was a mentor of mine, or let me say a role model. I am honored to carry on and be able to implement the work that she has done as far as Title IX was concerned, now the Patsy T. Mink Education and Opportunity Act.
‘‘Patsy’s legacy lives on in our program here at the University of Hawaii and what we have been able to do for the Rainbow Wahine program and developing opportunities for women to be able to play and, of course, her impact is felt all over the nation. I’m just thrilled to be able to be a part of it and to be able to celebrate the legacy she leaves behind.’’
The new field will carry softball into a new era on Maui, under the lights. One of the benefits of the lights will be to allow Molokai and Hana more time to travel for Friday games at
5:30 p.m., instead of 3:30 as they have been in the past.
‘‘I’m sure she must be smiling from up above,’’ Mukai said.
Soldwisch said naming the field after Mink was an easy decision for all involved.
‘‘We just got a tremendous response from the beginning,’’ he said. ‘‘If you know anything of her story she became a lawyer instead of a doctor when she was denied admission to medical school. The Maui High principal counseled her and told her she could do whatever she wanted to do. That led her into law school and public service. Title IX is obviously a big thing. Anybody that I know in athletics wants to promote athletics for everybody.’’
• Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com
