Arrived in Ewa early, beating any potential traffic hassles in town and on infamous Fort Weaver Road. Got the notepad, stat book, even the video camera juiced up and ready for some action tonight between No. 7 Leilehua and the sturdy Sabers of Campbell.
Lot of goodies available at the gate and in the facility at Campbell, from seat cushions (worth the 10 bucks on these hard, metal bleachers) to homemade fried noodles (only $2 — photos coming later) to the colorful, glossy magazine featuring (almost) every team in the state.
You might know it as the ILH/OIA yearbook. But this time, publisher (Mr. Utility/do-everything) Eli Kapu went one, two steps further by gathering team photos and rosters from the MIL and BIIF.
If you can picture this … Eli, with some help from his tiny staff and pros at Cox Photography and Pictureman, has provided fans with this annual yearbook magazine for several years now. Diligently, he tours the islands on photo/media days and clicks away, capturing team and individual mug shots, one team and one player at a time.
I know because I’m there with him. So, when you pick up the mag — a STEAL at $5 — you’re not only supporting prep football, but you’re keeping Eli’s endless efforts fueled and fired up. It’s like sponsors have lined up at his door in the midst of this recession — even in an election year. But Eli loves the game, loves the coaches and kids, and especially his alma mater, Kahuku, where he once played not so long ago.
Hat’s off to you, Eli, for another spectacular job. Well done, indeed.
Paul Honda, Star-Advertiser
It's too bad Eli Kapu didn't take the time to EDIT and PROOF his rosters and information….especially the information on the Big Island teams…..BTW, the head coach at the Kamehameha Hawaii Campus is DAVE BALDWIN….
Constructive criticism is always beneficial, but I feel that there is some serious misgiving here about the work Eli does. Do you know that before Eli took over this publication, the yearbook was late or simply not completed before the season's end? There is so much work involved that it's almost impossible for one person to do it all, yet Eli is essentially a one-person operation, getting all the work done on a brutally tough deadline.
The fact that he could gather information and photos of the Neighbor Island teams this year is more than noteworthy. It's a huge accomplishment.
It's easy to take shots at him from afar. I just don't see how it's justified, seeing every day the work he put in, the long drives, the photos and editing, the rosters that are usually not available until the very last minute (from every school) … it's a thankless job, yet he carries on and enjoys working with coaches and the players.
If anything, we need more men like Eli Kapu, and fewer people blasting him from behind their hidden names and agendas. If you mean what you say, go talk to him face to face and offer your help. Otherwise, you're a typical complainer rather than a do-er.
If you'd rather offer your help to him through me, just as well. Come see me at a game and I'll be all ears, ready to pass your name and number along.