WAILUKU - County Council members turned out to root, root, root for a hometown hero - major league ballplayer Shane Victorino - on Friday.
The council presented Victorino with a ceremonial resolution congratulating him for helping lead the Philadelphia Phillies to victory in the 2008 World Series, and for bringing "pride and honor" to the people of Maui County. The "Flyin' Hawaiian's" proud father, County Council Member Mike Victorino, said his son had represented Hawaii well.
"Maui County can be proud. The state can be proud," he said. "I know our family is proud."
Mayor Charmaine Tavares is scheduled to present Victorino with a proclamation at 3 p.m. Tuesday in a public ceremony on the front lawn of the Kalana O Maui Building.
Shane Victorino said Friday he was grateful for the support of his island home.
"Even if you guys are so many miles away, I still feel it in Philadelphia," he said.
Council members seemed star-struck, while county staffers peeked in on what would otherwise have been a quiet council meeting to catch a glimpse of the 2008 Golden Glove winner.
Council Member Mike Molina said watching Victorino excel in the post-season was thrilling.
"Wow, you talk about chicken skin," he said. "It's just incredibly awesome."
Budget Committee Chairman Joe Pontanilla said Mike Victorino would interrupt hearings to announce the scores during the World Series games.
"We'd try to hurry up the meetings so we could at least see some of the innings," he said.
Shane Victorino said he never expected he would get to such a high level so soon.
"It just keeps getting better and better," he said. "Hopefully there's many years to come."
