Baseball was in Donald Kimura’s blood.
The longtime Radford coach taught and coached at Radford for 32 years. Later, he helped with the intermediate program at Punahou while Eric Kadooka guided the varsity during a seven-year reign of state championships in the 2000s.
Kimura died on Wednesday morning.
Forty seasons ago, in 1979, Radford went unbeaten through the regular season and state tournament, only the second program to do so in state history. The Rams defeated ‘Iolani 7-4 in the final. Radford Athletic Director Kelly Sur was a JV assistant coach to Kimura for three years, then a varsity assistant for seven seasons.
“He was even-keeled, never too high or too low,” said Sur, who replaced Kimura as Radford baseball coach in 1993. “His philosophy was to teach, then ‘Let them play.’ Seems his teaching style was far ahead in terms of teaching mastery and letting kids learn when they failed through self-assessment. He will be missed by the Radford family.”
In addition to the Radford state-championship season, one of the most memorable moments came in 1976 when Radford and Pearl City engaged in a 19-inning, 5-hour, 19-minute battle at a new facility in Halawa. Radford won the game 1-0, and the photo above features Coach Kimura and catcher Chris Tatum, who had the game-winning hit.
UPDATE
Kadooka shared his memories of Coach Kimura.
“Coach Don started at Punahou with Coach Eric Kusunoki in 2001 as the intermediate pitching coach. Don was extremely knowledgeable and played a mentoring role, teaching us younger coaches how to coach and deal with situations. He provided instant credibility,” Kadooka said.
The Punahou baseball program’s Twitter account posted this:
” ‘A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.’ Hawaii Baseball lost a legend today. Mahalo Coach Don Kimura for a life of service. Countless Radford and @sonsofoahu ballplayers owe you a huge debt of gratitude. #family.”
Former Radford wrestling standout Yoshi Honda shared the news on social media, and many alums commented about Kimura’s humility and impact on the field and in the classroom. Honda went on to become a state-championship coach himself in wrestling. He wrote this:
“Great coach
Great educator
Great man
#ramdown
RIP mr kimura”
One former player, Jeff Obrero, added this: “I had the honor to be coached by this great man. RIP Mr. Kimura.”
Obrero posted a photo of the ’79 championship team and allowed HPW to post it with permission.
our condolences go out to the entire Kimura family in this difficult time
Coach Don started at punahou w coach eric kusunoki from 2001 to idk what year or if he stopped coaching at punahou as the intermediate pitching coach after a long career as the radford hs head coach winning the state championship in 1979 at Radford HS
Don was extremely knowledgeable and played a mentoring role teaching us younger coaches how to deal w situations and provided our baseball program instant creditability by his presence
Many of Don’s players went on to become State Champions.
RIP coach Kimura. I remember taking classes from him while attending Radford and also taking driver’s ed classes from him. He has a lot of interesting stories to tell that I still remember to this day.
I am truly sorry to learn of Coach Kimura’s passing. I played baseball for Coach Kimura at Radford in 1965 and 1966. He was a great coach and made playing the game a joy. Moe i ka maluhia Coach Kimura.
David Jones
Radford Class of 1966
Fond memories of Coach Kimura and our ‘79 season.
Rest easy and so long, Coach
Don Clark. Class of 1980.
Peter Kendrick was on that Radford team.
Love and prayers to his family. Don coached and shaped me me during my time as a Ram. His wisdom has served me all my life. Godspeed coach!
Oh no! A legendary Radford Baseball coach has passed. I coached and taught with Don for many years at Radford High School and he was highly respected by other teachers, coaches and administrators too! He not only was great coach, but was a loving father, husband, teacher and friend! He inspired hundreds, if not thousands, of students and athletes in the 1960’s, 70s, 80s and 90s. Two of his best players were Peter Kendrick and Roy Thomas from the State Championship Team who went undefeated! I could name a whole bunch of other players; but this is about the MAN—Don Kimura who made a difference in the lives of students! We will miss him; but he has left a legacy that lives on forever!” We are all proud and honored to have known him! With deepest sympathy to wife Kay, and daughters Lynn, and Jill…stay strong!”
RIP Mr. Kimura. I played on his varsity team from 1985 – 1987. He was the best coach I ever had. He taught me as well as others how to learn from our mistakes in a fashion that showed a man with compassion and knowledge of the game. You re truly missed by me and so many others., You were and will always be a Legend.
My deepest condolences to the Kimura Ohana
Such a great baseball coach and he will always be remembered. I was fortunate that he invited the cheerleaders to go on the baseball trip to Sacramento during my senior year of high school 1977. It was one of my highlights during high school. We landed in San Francisco, took a bus to Sacramento, played two games then bussed it to Reno for a few days. Then bussed it back to SF for a couple days. So many memories were made all because of Mr Kimura. He was such a gentle man with a big heart..he will be missed…RIP Mr. Kimura…thank you for being the best coach for Radford High School!!!
I do remember this coach…a day during practice a ball was hit to outfield while I was hanging out…I picked it up and threw it to home plate…he came trotting out (I thought I was again in trouble) and told me I had an arm…tried to recruit me but sports wasn’t my bag. He had some kind advise for me and really treated me like a human being.
I wished I had listened and at least tried my hand at baseball..life may have turned out different…him and Mr Fong were the only 2 who treated me decent…will always remember them both.
Paul Pate
Class of 77
I was fortunate to play for him for three years ‘78 ‘79 & ‘80. Wonderful memories of our 1979 team. Coach Kimura taught me many things about the game but what I learned most was how to be coached. He was a great one. RIP coach
Great memories of Coach Kimura. He’ll will be greatly missed. Deepest condolences to the family.
I played for Coach Kimura in 1980. The year before I was the last guy cut before the season started. I had started varsity as a Freshman and Sophomore at High Schools in VA and Ca. (military kid). Being cut was one the best things that happened to me in HS. I was way too cocky and we talked a few times after high school and I always thanked him. I ended up playing baseball in college, semi pro and men’s baseball till I was 57. I tried to remember Coach Kimura’s lesson in remaining humble on the field and off. Mahalo!