Athlete Send Off Ceremony

The event was held at the new Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic, which just celebrated its one-year anniversary on April 8, 2025. One of VAPIHCS’ athletes, Ret. Lt. Col. Edna Higa, has been selected to carry the sign in the opening ceremony at the NVGAG. 

“Paddling is how I got into it all, really,” Higa said. “I always liked paddling. Then I met Melissa from the VAPIHCS Rec Therapy program, and she talked me into getting involved in the Veteran games. I’m glad she did. It has been good for me.” 

The National Veteran Wheelchair Games are taking place this year in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They event will run from July 17-22, 2025. The NVGAG -which Higa will be featured in- will take place in Memphis, Tennessee. They will run from May 31, 2025, to June 5, 2025. As always, VAPIHCS is excited for our Veterans to complete because staying active is important, and because we hope they will bring us home some gold! 

“Training for the games pushes us to be the best version of ourselves,” said Army Veteran Ipo Valdez. “That’s important for us, and for our families. Striving to be the best gives makes us better. I’m trying a lot of new things this year, so I’m very excited to go to the Wheelchair Games.” 

Travel from Hawaii is expensive, and not all Veterans can afford to go. VA covers some expenses, but not plane tickets and hotel rooms. Some community members have been moved by this, and they have donated money to the Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE). However -with 30 Veterans going- it isn’t enough to cover much for each athlete. That’s why having a local version of the games for Veterans is important. 

“Finding out about the Veteran games opened a whole new world of possibilities for me,” said CDCE Chief Schoen Safotu. “For those that can go compete in the mainland, I know it’s helpful. We started the Koa Challenge locally on Hawaii so that Veterans who can’t afford to make the trip to the mainland can still compete and have a reason to come train.” 

The Koa Challenge has been held twice already on Oahu. The plan is already in place to hold the games again this year -in November- as well as to try to hold games in American Samoa and Guam. This matters because the games give Veterans hope, a sense of purpose, and a feeling of camaraderie. In other words, it’s about overall Veteran wellness, which is important. Additionally, it helps combat one of the most dangerous things Veterans deal with: Loneliness. Getting them out of the house and around other people is important. 

“First, I’d say that it’s important from a mental health standpoint,” said NVGAG participant and Army Veteran Eugene Gold. “I’ve been training every Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. It gets me out and around other Veterans. Additionally, it helps us keep in shape. I’m excited to compete this year in several events including air rifle, billiards, wheelchair slalom, table tennis, and boccia ball.” 

The send-off event included speeches from Veterans and VAPIHCS staff. Ipo Valdez said that she applauded everyone for participating, and for representing Hawaii in the games. Daniel K. Akaka VA Clinic Business Manager Jarrin Ching talked about how all VAPIHCS staff will be cheering for them, and how proud staff is of each of them. VAPIHCS Recreation Therapy Program Manager Melissa Crawford acted at the Master of Ceremonies (MC), but also had a lot to say to athletes. 

"I want to thank you all for your dedication, commitment, and hard work,” Crawford said. “Not just to training, but to figuring out travel costs and how to get your equipment shipped and the logistics of it all. I always say Hawaii athletes have to work harder than other Veterans even before the games begin, because it’s not easy to get there. I’m proud of you and I’m glad you’re going to go out and represent Hawaii.” 

Some of our VAPIHCS Athletes Stories:

Edna Higa (National Veteran Golden Aged Games): https://www.va.gov/pacific-islands-health-care/stories/what-it-means-to-make-it-to-the-games/ 

Eugene Gold (National Veteran Wheelchair Games): https://www.va.gov/pacific-islands-health-care/stories/veteran-eugene-gold-talks-about-sports-as-a-path-to-healing/ 

Ipo Valdez (National Veteran Wheelchair Games): https://www.va.gov/pacific-islands-health-care/stories/veteran-athlete-ipo-valdez-talks-story/ 

Garrett Kuwada (National Veteran Wheelchair Games): https://www.va.gov/pacific-islands-health-care/stories/recreation-therapy-as-a-road-to-recovery/ 

Roger Tansley (Not going to games – but teaches surfing to Veterans): https://www.va.gov/pacific-islands-health-care/stories/the-path-of-resilience-and-healing-for-one-veteran/ 

Names of VAPIHCS Athletes Competing This Year:

National Veteran Wheelchair Games 2025
Garrett Kuwada
Sandy “Ipo”  Valdez
Kieran Woll
Buster Kawasaki
Eugene Gold

National Veteran Golden Aged Games 2025
Antoinette "Toni" Correia
Benedict "Ben" Flores
Carolynne Durant Hall
Casey Rogers
Christine "Crissy" Gayagas
Christopher Baysa
Clarence Toguchi
Edna Higa
Edwin "Ed" Gayagas
Glenford "Glen" Park
Gregory Plum
Jeffrey "Jeff" Foundas
Karl Hall
Michelle Damitio
Peter Tingstrom
Philip Pai
Robert "Bobby" Damaso
Robert Jaeckel
Ronald "Ron" Schaedel
Ryan Sueyoshi
Thomas Sims
Vincent "MOG" Hall
Wilbert Ihu
Winston Ling
Renwick Adriano