Statewide pride and a parade for Little League champs
Posted on Sep 26, 2018 in Featured
The Little League world champs with Gov. Ige, Mayor Kirk Caldwell and fans.
Even with the threat of Tropical Storm Olivia, crowds still turned out for a Sept. 8 parade in downtown Honolulu to honor Hawai‘i’s Little League World Series Champions. It was a morning of autographs, picture taking and speeches to celebrate the young team that has captured the hearts of people across the state and the nation.
Governor Ige, Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell and other officials joined families, friends and classmates of the boys, who drew cheers as they rode a bright red fire truck to the steps of Honolulu Hale. The governor thanked the team for being “ambassadors of aloha” and for being “the inspiration for all of us in the islands.” Mayor Caldwell praised them for their hard work and focus, saying, “They kept their eyes on the prize and worked as a team, supporting each other.”
Team members wave to the crowds on their way to a celebration at Honolulu Hale.
Gov. Ige and team manager Gerald Oda.
Amid the crush of fans stood team manager Gerald Oda, who has drawn praise of his own for teaching the boys life lessons of respect and humility on and off the field. After the ceremony, he said, smiling, “I’m so happy to see the crowds today and want to thank everyone in the state. We’re really feeling the love. We did it for the people of Hawai‘i.”