Coach Chris Blake always plays by the rules, and he has learned to thrive no matter what the obstacles may be.
Blake, the longtime Kamehameha girls volleyball coach, and assistant coach Uila Peaua toured Oahu to bid a fond farewell to their seniors, who will not have a normal graduation ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Blake's family also came along for the ride. A long, fun ride through Honolulu, to the North Shore and the Leeward side.
“We reached out to the senior parents and coordinated the times and kept it from our players so they were genuinely surprised when we came by. It felt wonderful to know that we could find a solution and have everyone still participate safely,” Blake said.
“The look on all of their faces was priceless and it made everything worth it,” he said. “As we passed by each house, each senior 'ohana got to join in the journey and see the rest of their team.”
Blake, the longtime Kamehameha girls volleyball coach, and assistant coach Uila Peaua toured Oahu to bid a fond farewell to their seniors, who will not have a normal graduation ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Blake's family also came along for the ride. A long, fun ride through Honolulu, to the North Shore and the Leeward side.
“We reached out to the senior parents and coordinated the times and kept it from our players so they were genuinely surprised when we came by. It felt wonderful to know that we could find a solution and have everyone still participate safely,” Blake said.
“We (the coaching staff) understand that these are extraordinary times that we are experiencing and it provides a great opportunity for creativity in the ways we will need to be in solution to these novel challenges,” Coach Blake said. “In talking to Uila Peaua, our assistant coach, we wanted to find a way to celebrate our seniors and show them that we are connected and together, even when apart. We wanted to be there for them and we wanted to be safe and follow all the proper safety guidelines while doing it. She was the main conduit and coordinated the logistics. It was an amazing job and she deserves the credit.”
One of the hallmarks of Kamehameha under Blake’s watch has been a mindful attention to detail. Players journal daily. Practices are active and organized to the nth degree. Blake is a master coach who happens to be a gifted logician — a math teacher — and leader. The Warriors have won 10 state titles since 2005 in cerebral, yet joyful fashion. It may have been one of the brighter days of an otherwise challenging time in the lives of the young Warriors.
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