Maui Special Olympians: ‘A Once in a Lifetime Thing’
On June 1, Eric Thompson and his brother, James, tested positive for COVID. That was less than a week before they were set to compete in the Special Olympics in Orlando.
Maui’s Special Olympians
In the 1940s and ‘50s, Soichi Sakamoto turned Hawai’i swimmers into world-class Olympians. The legendary coach pioneered new swimming techniques, beginning in a Pu’unene irrigation ditch where he trained freestyle Gold medalist William Smith. Today, the pool at Wailuku’s War Memorial Complex bears his name.
Sumiko Inaba: The Lady Samurai
Sumiko Inaba stands 5’4” and weighs in at 125 pounds. She’s soft spoken and humble. But the mixed martial arts fighter known as “Lady Samurai” transforms into a fierce warrior inside the cage.