Cardoza

Longtime Maui Interscholastic League football referee Joseph Cardoza has been named to the Hawaii Sports Officials Hall of Fame.

The HSOHOF announced its latest class of six officials to be inducted to the class of 2022 on Friday.

Cardoza (football) is joined by Stan Ono (wrestling), Creighton “Fuzzy” Richards (basketball), Gary M. Shiraishi (softball), Verneda Thomas (volleyball) and Michael A. Wong (soccer).

The six will be honored in an in-person ceremony on Sept. 4 at the Ala Moana Hotel.

“We are extremely excited to honor these six individuals for induction to the Hall of Fame,” HSOHOF president Cal Evans said in a news release. “These are the very best officials in the State of Hawaii and we are privileged to honor them as part of our fifth class.”

Among the longest-serving Maui football officials, Cardoza’s 43-year career overlapped his career as Chief Judge of the Second Circuit of the State of Hawaii.

Cardoza worked both high school and college games and became the first Neighbor Island referee to work the HHSAA title game between Kahuku and Saint Louis.

“Highly respected and well organized, he was the leader and mentored many officials while staying humble to the game,” the news release said of Cardoza.

To attend the in-person ceremony as well as see a list of previous inductees, visit the HSOHOF website at www.hawaiisportsofficialshalloffame.org.