HPU to continue paying tribute after tragedy with 12th annual “Kam’s Helmets Day”
BY PAUL BRECHT | HONOLULU
PUBLISHED JAN 19, 2024
HONOLULU – The Hawai’i Pacific University Sharks men’s basketball team will return home to the “Shark Tank” on Saturday afternoon, looking to bounce back from a heart-breaking 71-68 road loss to Chaminade while hosting rival-island foe UH-Hilo inside the former St. Francis’ gym in an important matchup of PacWest rivals.
The game will serve for a much bigger purpose than a conference matchup though as it will be the program’s 12th annual “Kam’s Helmets Day” – meant to honor the memory of former Hawai’i Pacific University men’s basketball player Kameron Steinhoff, whose legacy continues to live on through an incredibly generous day of free skateboarding and bicycle helmets getting handed out to the public.
“This is a special day for the Sharks family as we honor Kameron Steinhoff, a former standout member of our ‘ohana who passed in a tragic skateboarding accident back in 2011,” HPU head coach Jesse Nakanishi said to HSRN ahead of the game. “Our annual event aims to save lives by encouraging the use of helmets and what better way by giving out free helmets to kids! We’re very thankful for Leavitt, Yamane and Soldner group as well as TNT Tinting for their generous sponsorship of the event in providing the helmets.”
Steinhoff was tragically lost in May of 2011 after suffering a severe head injury in a skateboarding accident in which he was not wearing a helmet, sending shockwaves through the community as a young, bright and talented soul was lost. The 2008 Punahou alum was the Hawai’i State Player of the Year his senior season and appeared in 51 games for HPU before his heart-breaking accident took his life at the age of 21.
The Sharks will hand out 150 helmets on Saturday, thanks in part to the generosity of Leavitt, Yamane and Soldner Group and TNT Tinting, continuing the long-standing partnership with the Steinhoff Family and Hawaii Pacific that created “Kam’s Helmets” in the first place. In all, over 1,500 helmets have been donated to those in need around the community since 2011, promoting safety while being active.
Families are invited to bring their kids to receive a free helmet at halftime in honor of Steinhoff’s legacy and enjoy a game between inter-island & PacWest rivals when the Sharks host the Vulcans at 2 p.m. HT inside the Shark Tank – located at the old St. Francis Gymnasium on 2707 Pāmoa Road, Honolulu, Hawai’i.
High-speed Hawai’i offense on full display in exhibition win over Hawaii Pacific
HONOLULU – Runnin’ Rainbow Wahine. The University of Hawai’i women’s basketball team took to the floor for the first time under the leadership of first-year head coach Khalilah Mitchell on Wednesday night, dominating to the tune of a 90-38...
After years of change, HPU’s Maile Salang finds home in Hawai’i
HONOLULU – Before making her way to the islands, Maile Salang was a bit of a school nomad. From Oregon originally, Salang graduated high school in the Philippines. She split her time between two different elementary schools, two separate middle...
Kamehameha-Maui moves back into Top 25 of Lasquero’s Football Power Rankings
Michael Lasquero gives his Top 25 best teams in the state heading into the 12th weekend of the Hawaii High School Football season.1. Kapolei (7-1) Previous rank: 1 Last week: idle This week: idle Analysis: As the No. 1 seed in the OIA Open...
Sharks Weekly: HPU Women’s Basketball Builds on Experience, Unity Entering Year Two
Hawai‘i Pacific University women’s basketball enters its second season under head coach Brent Gibson with a stronger sense of identity and a roster looking to build on the foundation established a year ago. Gibson joined Sharks Weekly alongside...
Rainbow Wahine Invitational Tees Off with Purpose, Supporting Kaua‘i Hurricane Relief
KAUA'I, HAWAI'I – The 30th Rainbow Wahine Invitational is about more than golf this year, as the University of Hawai‘i's annual women's golf tournament brings together collegiate athletes and supporters to help Kaua‘i families recovering from...
Pair of clean sheets help Justin secure Mountain West Defense Player of the Week
HONOLULU – The leader of the “No Goal Patrol” keeps powering up. University of Hawai’i junior goalkeeper Kennedy Justin was named the Mountain West’s Defensive Player of the Week on Monday after helping the Rainbow Wahine soccer team extend its...
Sylvester snags Mountain West Defensive Player of the Week honors
HONOLULU – Host a block party, reap the rewards after. University of Hawai’i middle blocker Miliana Sylvester was named the Old Trapper Mountain West Women’s Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week on Monday morning after posting 22 total...
New Mexico overcomes nightmare first half to hand fourth straight loss to Hawai’i
HONOLULU – The devil is in the details. Despite holding a double-digit halftime lead, committing less penalties and forcing more turnovers than the defense that entered the night pacing the country in total takeaways, the University of Hawai’i...
Postgame Notes & Quotes: Hawai‘i Falls to New Mexico After Second-Half Shutout
HONOLULU — Hawai‘i carried a 10-0 lead into halftime Saturday night but was unable to hold off New Mexico, falling 21-10 in its 75th Homecoming Game at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex. The Rainbow Warriors (1-6, 0-4 Mountain West) held the...
Hawai‘i Looks to Turn the Page Against Surging New Mexico on Homecoming
HONOLULU — At the midway point of the season, Hawai‘i finds itself searching for answers. The Rainbow Warriors have remained competitive in stretches but have struggled to turn opportunities into victories, a trend they hope to reverse Saturday...