Maui canoe paddling official to join Hawaii Sports Officials Hall of Fame
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With more than 40 years of outrigger paddling experience, Ben Martin of Maui is among the six officials being inducted into the Hawaii Sports Officials Hall of Fame.
According to a Sunday news release, Martin began officiating competitions in the 1990s with the Maui County Hawaiian Canoe Association, and he later became the head water official for the Maui Interscholastic League in 2004.
He has served as a volunteer race official at HHSAA state championship regattas and summer MCHCA regattas, mentoring new race officials and exemplifying fairness and sportsmanship. His commitment to officiating excellence and his rapport with coaches, paddlers and race organizers have made him a respected figure in the paddling community.
Joining Martin in the Hall of Fame's Class of 2025 are Basilio "Roy" Camello (baseball), Edmund "Ed" Chang (air riflery), Ronald Komine, Sr. (softball), Warren Okinaka (softball) and Hardy Spoehr (football). They will be honored Sept. 7 at the Ala Moana Hotel.
"We are extremely excited to honor these six deserving individuals for induction to the Class of 2025," HSOHOF president Cal Evans said in announcing the inductees. "This is our eighth class, and we are very proud to celebrate their accomplishments."
The Hawaii Sports Officials Hall of Fame works to promote positive public awareness of officials and their value to sports by recognizing and honoring Hawaii sports officials who have demonstrated the highest level of achievement, character, leadership, skill, and commitment to officiating over a significant period.
The latest induction of six officials now brings the total to 45 honorees in the Hall of Fame.