Remembering “Mr. ‘Iolani”

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Tawni Murphy
February 16, 2010
Filed under News, Top Stories

On Sunday, Jan. 31, family, friends, athletes, and loved ones gathered at Saint Alban’s Chapel to pay respect and say goodbye to former ‘Iolani Athletic Director and legendary coach, Mr. Eddie Hamada.

Mr. Hamada, a graduate from the class of 1964, passed away on Jan. 3 due to natural causes.

An estimated 3000 people came to pay their respects to Mr. Hamada and his family throughout the day. Although visitation started at 9 a.m., people began to arrive at 8:15 a.m.

Seating inside of the chapel was filled to capacity. Chairs were set up on both the Mauka and Makai sides of the chapel and the Student Center was also opened to help with the overflow of people. Inside the Student Center, a large projection screen was set up to show a live feed on a closed TV circuit.

Among the many people who came were Lieutenant Governor Duke Aiona and City and County of Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hanneman ’72.

“If it wasn’t for Eddie,” said Mayor Hanneman, “I would have never gotten to ‘Iolani, let alone to where I am today. He was a great man, and there will never be anyone else like him. We should all live our lives as he did.”

Although Lt. Gov. Aiona did not attend ‘Iolani, he played under Mr. Hamada during his senior year for the Senior All-Star game.

“He treated everyone with respect and made you feel worth something,” Lt. Gov. Aiona said. “I don’t think that there is anyone in the Hawai’i athletic community who wasn’t touched by Eddie Hamada.”

Flower arrangements were displayed on behalf of the Hamada Family, the class of 1966, the ‘Iolani Raiders Booster Club, ‘Iolani Cheerleaders, the Maui Interscholatic League, the Oahu Interscholastic League, the ’68 and ’69 Boys Varsity Football Championship Teams, and the football staff of Lahainaluna High School.

“We just loved him,” said Dr. Val Iwashita. “Everything about him was just love.”

Mr. Hamada played under legendary ‘Iolani coach Father Kenneth Bray and continued Father Bray’s philosophy of “One Team” as head coach for 28 seasons and as ‘Iolani School’s Athletic Director two more years.

Remembrances

First to speak of Mr. Hamada was current ‘Iolani Headmaster, Dr. Val Iwashita.

“Supporting others came natural to him,” said Dr. Iwashita said. “He went out of his way to help kids, and he became an icon at the school that he loved and cherished.”

Next was radio personality, and Mr. Hamada’s long time friend, Coach Larry Price.

“The greatest challenge that anyone can face,” said Mr. Price with tears in his eyes, “is losing a friend. He had a life so full of inspirational thoughts. His mission in life was helping others, and a part of him lives in everyone that he touched.”

Mr. Larry Cundiff, one of Mr. Hamada’s assistant coaches, also spoke of Mr. Hamada.

“He was Mr. ‘Iolani,” said Mr. Cundiff, “and his spirit will always live on. He took the ‘One Team’ spirit to another level. We practiced together, lost together, won together, we hurt and we loved together.”

The next person to speak was Reverend David Coon, ‘Iolani School’s former Headmaster.

“Every school needs someone [like] Ed Hamada,” said Rev. Coon. “He was a person who can relate to every student regardless. After a person’s first year, he made them feel right at home; ‘Iolani was their new home.”

Also to speak was Mr. Steven Dang, Mr. Hamada’s doctor.

“He inspired, motivated, nurtured,” said Mr. Dang. “He made you feel that anything was possible and I take a little bit of him wherever I go.”

Mr. Dale Lee, one of Mr. Hamada’s former players, spoke of the ‘Iolani icon.

“Coach told us that ‘One Team’ represented an approach,” said Mr. Lee. “It shows deep, broad humility, and necessary ethic and commitment, and respect for fellow man.”

Mr. Lee also told of a story from his days under Mr. Hamada.

“It was 1965, and he had been coaching for 5 years already, and we finally won against Punahou for the first time in the past 14 seasons.”

Later that season ‘Iolani was selected to play in the first game in the double header in the Thanksgiving Bowl against Punahou.

“Coach walked into the locker room one day and asked us a question. ‘You discuss it, you decide, and you let me know; I’ll be outside,’ Mr. Hamada said. ‘Gentlemen, on Thursday, do we play to win or do we play so that everyone gets in the game?’ Our team discussion was very brief,” Mr. Lee continued. “And our decision was unanimous, and we called Coach back in. We told him we want everyone to play. And what did Coach say? ‘Wrong answer!’”

To conclude his remembrance, he read a part of Live A Life That Matters, by Michael Joltsten. “Choose [to] live a life that matters,” said Mr. Lee as he ended the poem.

The final person to speak was Mrs. Cynthia Hamada, Mr. Hamada’s wife of 30 years.

“This is such a beautiful service,” she said. “In God’s good time Eddie left. However, spiritually, he will never ever leave us.”