Takahashi’s New Role
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It didn’t take Ramona Takahashi long to re-invent her role within the Kailua athletic department.
Takahashi - who recently retired from the girls head basketball job after 21 seasons in preparation for her expanded duties at the school as assistant athletic director - has been working as a conditioning coach with Kailua soccer coach Wil Kimura and his team.
“It’s been a welcome role - I just come and do my thing,” she laughed.“As a head coach, you have practices to plan, trips to plan, fund-raising ... how much time I have left (outside of AD duties) will determine how much time I can put in with the soccer team.”
With longtime athletic director Mel Imai set to retire Dec. 31, Takahashi expects her responsibilities to increase during the transition period, making it difficult to be a head coach.
“I thought it would be better for the team since it would come in the middle of a season.”
Her 21 seasons made her the longest-serving basketball coach in the OIA at season’s end in February, and Takahashi went out in style, producing three of her best seasons at the school to close out her tenure.
“It didn’t feel like 21 years,” she admitted.
Kailua finished third at the Division II state tournament last year after being the OIA’s runner-up the week before. They also made the state tournament in 2007, ending up fifth, to go with a third-place finish in the OIA that year. Takahashi was Coach of the Year in the White in 2006 as well, after leading the Surfriders to a strong finish.
While the Surfriders have won their share of big games in recent years, Takahashi measures the success of her players in terms other than wins and losses.
“Seeing the kids improve whether on or off the court is pure satisfaction,” said Takahashi, who also teaches P.E.“We have some former players here who are back at school as counselors, and that’s always neat.
“I want to thank our players from the past - every kid that comes in makes us better as coaches,” she added. “Every team has its own special qualities because it brings a uniqueness. I also want to thank the community and the people at the high school who have always been so supportive.”
As basketball coach, Takahashi focused a lot on the mental preparation that comes with playing the modern-day game. Her 2007-08 team attended yoga together as part of getting their minds right for basketball.
“The psychological portion is one of the most enjoyable aspects - getting the kids up for a big game. The mind is strong. How do you make it work to reach peak performance? Those are life skills.”
Zach Stephens will succeed Takahashi as the head girls basketball coach. A former player at Punahou and HPU, he was Kailua’s junior varsity coach last season.
“He’s eager and energetic and very positive,” she said.
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