A principal with principles

As Dave Reardon reports, Al Minn has passed away.

Thousands knew Minn as a firm but knowledgable swimming coach.

Many others knew him as the leader of the Honolulu Quarterback Club, a gathering place for sports figures and the public.

He was a man who lived for his family and his faith. For years, his wife ran a not-for-profit thrift shop at Kailua Methodist Church that provided clothing and other support for those in need.

He was my principal at Roosevelt for a year, and then a friend for most of my adult life. Back in the day, we had some wild souls at Papakolea Tech. But mild or wild, we all feared Minn because we all respected him.


Our condolences to his family.

* * * * *


The Warriors held their final 2-hour practice at the Ching Athletic Complex ahead of Saturday’s road game against Utah State.

The Warriors are scheduled to depart tonight on a direct flight to Salt Lake City. They will conduct full practices tomorrow and Friday in Utah.

COMMENTS

  1. Kapahulu November 15, 2017 12:49 pm

    1st?


  2. Kapahulu November 15, 2017 12:50 pm

    Go Bows!
    Beat Utah State!
    Hope the Weather is good!
    Early game Saturday 10am.


  3. NaKoaMike November 15, 2017 1:19 pm

    Last call for the Awards Banquet on Sunday, November 26th. Click on the link for details or call the Na Koa office at 956-4513.
    http://nakoa.org/event-calendar/2017-alec-waterhouse-memorial-awards-banquet/


  4. Trunks420 November 15, 2017 1:36 pm

    Watching Hawaii Fresno game and we will be fine changes needed maybe.
    But I can be happy with same staff for 2 more years to change program.

    If not we should bring in Tim Deruter for HC to bring in Texas Talent to the islands


  5. H-Man November 15, 2017 1:51 pm

    I think the best chance for a Warrior win will be back home against BYU. Utah is another matter. The weather will be a huge factor. Real cold. Warriors never warm up and suffer another loss – Aggies 41 Warriors17.


  6. Warbow November 15, 2017 2:12 pm

    The season is pau as far as I’m concerned unless they start players some of the younger guys. Tired of watching the same old receivers drop passes that are inaccurately thrown. Give us something to look forward to. Don’t really want to watch Barker, Collie and Ewaliko dropping balls thrown inaccurately by Dru Brown.


  7. Hapaguy November 15, 2017 2:25 pm

    I used to be a member of the Honolulu Quarterbacks Club back when my uncle, Walter Kim, was an officer with Al back in the old Flamingo Chuckwagon on Kapiolani. Those were good times…RIP Al Minn.


  8. Inyoface November 15, 2017 3:48 pm

    Bench receiver’s that drop too many passes, senior or not.


  9. Ipu Man November 15, 2017 4:23 pm

    Meanwhile…
    UH UTAH State
    56 14 Akamai Okole
    21 56 Derek
    17 41 H-Man
    14 12 Ipu Man


  10. Sangamon Keith November 15, 2017 5:10 pm

    We sneak on them and surprise …

    UH 31
    USU 28


  11. Akamai Okole November 15, 2017 5:42 pm

    Aloha to the Minn Ohana.

    GO WARRIORS!

    Das it


  12. Stephen Tsai November 15, 2017 6:48 pm

    Utah State has a good defense and aggressive special teams. It should be fun in Logan


  13. cappie the dog November 15, 2017 6:58 pm

    At this point, I think Dru Brown is upset at how everybody is calling for his removal.

    He is due for a breakout game.

    Hawaii 34
    Utah State 31


  14. Old School Dave November 15, 2017 8:53 pm

    Good luck vs USU! Bring home a “W”!!

    In other news, the State Legislature has allocated $200 million over the past 10 years to the Mental Hospital and $1.7 million for security improvements last year. How’s that been working??


  15. cappie the dog November 16, 2017 4:19 am

    I once had a co-worker who on his first day told me that he just finished an anger management program at Kahi Mohala.

    8 weeks later, he was trying to force his way through the front doors(which are operated electronically), then challenged the security guard to a fight.

    Thanks human resources.


  16. BigWave96744 November 16, 2017 6:41 am

    Stephen Tsai November 15, 2017 6:48 pm
    Utah State has a good defense and aggressive special teams. It should be fun in Logan
    *******************************
    AND at times can have a pretty potent offense…. Not sure if I would look toward this game as a fun one to watch….

    Utah St is 4-6 with the following wins
    51-13 Idaho St (FCS)
    61-10 SJSU
    52-28 UNLV
    24-10 New Mexico

    Hawaii is 3-7 with the following wins
    38-35 UMASS
    41-18 Western Carolina (FCS)
    37-26 SJSU


  17. Paniolo November 16, 2017 7:08 am

    I have said it before, the next Warrior football opponent Utah State, all Warrior football fans will see the same movie again – the same stinking offensive plays; the same defense giving up a ton of points; the same starting quarterback Dru Brown. Coach Rolovich is stuck on Brown while his other quarterbacks are sucking wind warming the bench.
    Look at BYU who are not doing well with their starting quarterback. So their headcoach, with a Division one Head football coach common sense, replaced his starting quarterback and placed in a true freshman who has brought some fire to their offense and winning a few games. In his latest inteview, Rolo said he will stick with brown because he is a winner – HUH?????
    Unfortunately our Warrior football team will end up in the celller this year with the last two losses against Utah State this Saturday and against BYU on our turf next week. I really don’t have any confidence with Nick Rolovich and his staff that needs to be replaced completely. Personally I prefer Rolovich be fired and replaced
    Firing Rolo is not an option, I understand that. But Rolo should replaced everyone of his staff on both sides of the ball (Offense and Defense) for the 2018 season.
    Some may disagree, but I beleive we got the size and talent on our Warrior football roster. To bring out that talent you will need new coaches..


  18. Old School Dave November 16, 2017 7:55 am

    I think Boola touched on this before, but I’ll say it again. I don’t like the public raging on UH student-athletes as it’s no class and uncalled for! They aren’t professional players, but locals seem to view them as such, “cause we get no pro teams.” This is small island and this isn’t “Pono” as these players go to class, have homework, tests, practice, weight lifting, film work, meetings, treatment, travel, among other responsibilities. You want’ to criticize the UH coaches, fine, as they are paid public employees and it’s part of their jobs. Keep up the criticism of UH players in this small community and you might get a tap on your shoulder from a large perturbed bruddah saying, “Eh! You get one problem with my son?”

    If you are going to fire Rolo, who will you hire? Les Miles? Art Briles? Chip Kelly? Will $400K (or less) attract them? Maybe offer them free use of a car from Cutter Ford?


  19. Trunks420 November 16, 2017 8:39 am

    18 I some what agree with you we shouldn’t put all blame on players.

    Yes we want to win as much as next team but!.

    1. Players play and excute plays designed by their position coaches.

    2. Players Are Expected to Perform
    At a High in Div 1 atheletics hence why NFL GMs Scout.

    3. This is college football Not High School these are young men not kids same young men that go over seas to fight for our country. So they expect to be held to a high standard as they all expect a lot from themselvs. Players play Div 1 football in hopes to go to NFL with bigger demands for high performance.

    Now I get we are tired of the negativity of the program and players but we only want the best for them.

    If this was a High School Team which many say it should be with the attendance at the Hawaii Football games then I can say kay off the oil kids but we are talking about 18 yr olds wanting to play Professinal football if they cry over the locals critizing them then they don’t belong in Div 1 Football


  20. islandman November 16, 2017 9:06 am

    17. .. I think the starting BYU QB went down with an injury so that ‘s why they replaced him with another who also got injured so another QB was used.


  21. A-House November 16, 2017 9:11 am

    players criticism — justified or not are individual’s opinion — are they justified? who are we to make that judgment?

    if a player misses an assignment or is too slow or cannot read the wide receiver’s abilities or cannot run correct passing routes or did not fully prepare for his opponent on the DL/OL or drops too many passes — I am not privy to the plays called and what the assignments are to say who is at fault for the lack of execcution — when the tackle is completely fooled by his opponents abilities and “holds” his opponent — is this worthy of an individual’s criticism? perhaps so. playing an “outside” position is clearly visible when the player makes a mistake versus the interior line positions

    every “team” plays within its own abilities and the coach(es) have the responsibility to “teach” the correct way/method(s) to be an outstanding player– yet, if the scheme is totally out of sync and puts the player(s) at a disadvantage, the the fault lies with the coach who has failed to recognize the opponent’s capabilities, his players abilities, and lays out a scheme which cannot be defended

    misinformation or the lack thereof places one at a big disadvantage


  22. Maddog50 November 16, 2017 9:29 am

    Just a little FYI Tanner Magnum BYU QB went down with knee injury/certainly not any argument for us but USU barely had 250 yArds of OFF against NM but won big-I think 5 turnovers played a role. At this point they are clearly better than us. Again with 1 1/2 recruiting classes in place all you need to do is study other MW rosters and clearly see the gap. No excuses for playing below expectations but the last two seasons we have clearly started games slow-the issue stands out, solutions remains to be addressed. At some point in time we need a handful of guys on the roster step up and adopt “I’m sick of this s**t” and it stops now” GoWarriors!!!!!


  23. Warbow November 16, 2017 9:42 am

    18 Old School Dave ..I’m not afraid to call a player out by name whether it’s good or bad. As well as a coach. As a fan who pays good money to view the game that is my right. It’s like buying a product that you are unsatisfied with, you let them know. If your comments are on that players performance then it should be welcomed here, whether it’s good or bad. But if it’s to the point of “bashing” then it’s uncalled for and no class. There’s an old saying, “if you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen”. Yes I know they are students first but the University sells this product to the public, like any other product companies sell, the public makes judgment on it.


  24. Trunks420 November 16, 2017 10:59 am

    We will be fine with Rolo as HC yes it’s going to be tough ride but just like any youngsta learning to drive it’s going to awhile till he learns from experience just like players coaches need time and expierence.

    I personally liked Norm Chow Because he has vast football knowledge and Knew how to motivate players but due to poor performance and lack of support from university and community it did not work.

    Now we have the oppisite we have Rolo with now HC experience but everybody loves and supporting him but know we not winning we want new staff.

    Naeole left because he knew what was going behind the doors in locker room is not good coaching. He was from Norm C staff and you saw how players loved and respect him.

    Let’s See How Hawaii’s gamble on Rolo Pays Off not bad choice considering All Hawaii basicly Hung Norm C to Dry she Norm Called Hawaii If Family .


  25. Ipu Man November 16, 2017 11:15 am

    Meanwhile…
    UH UTAH State
    56 14 Akamai Okole
    34 31 cappie the dog
    31 28 Sangamon Keith
    21 56 Derek
    17 41 H-Man
    14 12 Ipu Man


  26. Ipu Man November 16, 2017 11:20 am

    Somewhere in radio land,
    I heard that Utah State every day
    teaches players how to rip out the ball
    by gang banging the ball…


  27. H-Man November 16, 2017 12:14 pm

    I don’t know if it gets much better next season. Rolo mentioned on Call the Coach that they’re thinking of moving Cole McDonald to another position. He did not mention Cole Brownholtz. So our starting quarterback is Dru Brown without a proven back-up. Plus, we lose four experienced O-linemen in Dejon Allen, John Wa’a, Chris Posa and Matt Norman. Again, few other O-linemen received meaningful reps this season outside of those that started like Asotui Eli, JR Hensley, Taaga Tuulima and Fred Ulu-Perry. That’s a small base to build from. Plus no other RB other than Freddie Holly III saw any game time. Talent is there, but little, very little D1 game experience.
    Now the D-line. Lots of experience and dept at DT/NG, but really, really thin at DE with the graduation of Meffy Koloamatangi and David Manoa. Eldgridge returns and Max Hendrie had playing time that will help him develop, but after those two – nada. Corners still in development stage.
    Coaches have a huge task ahead. Hope they can pull it off.


  28. Akamai Okole November 16, 2017 1:34 pm

    I gotta get new optics…

    I keep seeing us open up with 260 and 270# DT’s and DE’s and reading others complaining here that we got all this “size” on defense but bad coaching is to blame.


  29. Akamai Okole November 16, 2017 1:38 pm

    H Man,

    A little birdie sez the remaining Cole get the better arm


  30. Chunky's fan November 16, 2017 2:32 pm

    Rebuild the old Honolulu Stadium and its rollicking wooden stands, Turkey Day Double-headers (Farrington vs. Punahou, St. Louis vs. McKinley), HRT buses with high school penants flying, bringing in the students from all parts of the city into McCully. Talk about buzz and excitement all over the city over football…….that was it! UH and its rusting stadium can never reach the caliber of the PAC-12, ACC, SEC or the other major conferences, so why try? Let the local boys go to the mainland colleges to play big time football. Forget about trying to field a competitive college team here. Leave it to the high schools to provide the football high that is craved by the local sports addicts.


  31. Stephen Tsai November 16, 2017 5:07 pm

    New post: http://www.hawaiiwarriorworld.com/?p=45055


Comments are closed.