Jim B. Beavers
Jim Beavers’ legacy in football officiating and community service is rich and
inspiring. His journey began in 1956, officiating youth football in Kansas.
A move to Hawaii in 1960 marked the start of a fire-safety career and family life with Dora Low, whom he met at a college football game.
Beavers’ involvement in sports was multifaceted; he coached and officiated in Park League Flag football, basketball, and Little League Baseball. His dedication led him to the OIA Football Officials Association in 1972, where he officiated for 44 years. On the field, he was a referee for two Oahu Prep Bowl games and worked various other significant games, including the 2000 HHSAA Championship.
In 1999, Beavers took on the role of OIA Football Commissioner, a position he held for 17 years. He managed the training of officials, organized rules review sessions, and introduced important changes such as 5– and 7-man mechanics for playoff games.
The formation of the Yaguras, a group of senior officials, was another of Beavers’ initiatives, providing valuable input each season. He helped establish the Oahu Football Officials Association (OFOA), transitioning from a traditional commissioner role to a board and president system. Today, he continues to serve OFOA as chairman of both the Recruiting Committee and the Observer Committee.
Beavers’ service extended beyond football. He was president of Kailua Mustang Pop Warner Football, an umpire for ILH girls
softball, and an administrator for Hawaii District #1 Little League Baseball. His professional career spanned 45 years with Hawaiian Electric and 52 years as a safety lecturer.
His contributions have been recognized with multiple awards, including the Earl Galdeira Award and the OIA Officials Service Award.
Aaron Chaney
Aaron Chaney’s contributions to water polo are as deep as the pools he once played and coached in. His journey began in 1979, when he was part of the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos team that clinched an NCAA water polo title. This victory was just the start, as Aaron’s true calling was in coaching and officiating, where his impact would resonate for decades.
At ‘Iolani School, Aaron dedicated 20 years to coaching water polo, leading the boys to three championships and founding the girls program, which he helmed for eight years. His coaching acumen was further recognized at Corona del Mar High School in California, where he guided the girls team to 10 league titles and five consecutive CIF titles over a decade, earning him Orange County Coach of the Year.
Aaron’s love for water polo seamlessly transitioned into a distinguished career as an official. While coaching, he maintained a rigorous schedule, officiating games across the country. His expertise as a referee was sought after, and he officiated at the highest levels, including 20 Mens NCAA Championships and 10 Womens NCAA Championships, with 15 of those being championship games.
His international reputation was solidified when he officiated at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, including the men’s semifinal in 2004. He also called matches at four FINA World Championships, including the men’s gold-medal match in 2005 in Montreal.
Aaron’s legacy is honored through the USA Water Polo Developmental Referee Award, named after him. He is enshrined in the UC Santa Barbara and Hawaii Swimming Halls of Fame and was inducted into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame in 2023. Today, Aaron continues to shape the sport, coaching at Punahou School and running an annual pre-season varsity girls tournament, ensuring his passion for water polo endures.
Aaron Chaney’s contributions to water polo are as deep as the pools he once played and coached in. His journey began in 1979, when he was part of the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos team that clinched an NCAA water polo title. This victory was just the start, as Aaron’s true calling was in coaching and officiating, where his impact would resonate for decades.
At ‘Iolani School, Aaron dedicated 20 years to coaching water polo, leading the boys to three championships and founding the girls program, which he helmed for eight years. His coaching acumen was further recognized at Corona del Mar High School in California, where he guided the girls team to 10 league titles and five consecutive CIF titles over a decade, earning him Orange County Coach of the Year.
Aaron’s love for water polo seamlessly transitioned into a distinguished career as an official. While coaching, he maintained a rigorous schedule, officiating games across the country. His expertise as a referee was sought after, and he officiated at the highest levels, including 20 Mens NCAA Championships and 10 Womens NCAA Championships, with 15 of those being championship games.
His international reputation was solidified when he officiated at the 2004 Olympics in Athens and the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, including the men’s semifinal in 2004. He also called matches at four FINA World Championships, including the men’s gold-medal match in 2005 in Montreal.
Aaron’s legacy is honored through the USA Water Polo Developmental Referee Award, named after him. He is enshrined in the UC Santa Barbara and Hawaii Swimming Halls of Fame and was inducted into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame in 2023. Today, Aaron continues to shape the sport, coaching at Punahou School and running an annual pre-season varsity girls tournament, ensuring his passion for water polo endures.
Abraham "Abe" Pacheco
Abraham “Abe” Pacheco’s last international title fight as an official on Nov. 16, 1994, in Bangkok, Thailand, was a fitting culmination to his remarkable three-decade career in boxing officiating.
His journey began in Honolulu with a fight between Andy Ganigan and Vicente Saldivar in May 1979, and over the years, he officiated over 30 high-profile international fights.
Born in Hilo and raised in the sugar plantation camps of Wainaku, Abe developed an early interest in boxing. He honed his skills first as a boxer at the Amaulu Plantation Camp Gym and later at the Hilo Armory under the tutelage of experienced and formally trained sportsmen. In high school, he was a member of the Wanderers and Hilo Boxing Clubs, achieving success in the 119-pound weight class.
Transitioning from boxer to referee, Abe became a boxing referee in Hawaii’s amateur ranks, officiating numerous Golden Gloves and Police Activities League (PAL) events. In the 1970s, he became a sanctioned official for the North American Boxing Federation, United States Boxing Association, World Boxing Council, and International Boxing Federation. He also served on the board of the Hawaii State Boxing Commission for several years.
Abe was more than just a referee; he was an active participant in maintaining the integrity of boxing. He witnessed the sport’s evolution from its free-wheeling, bare-knuckle days to an organized sport with mature rules and a spirit of sportsmanship. He judged fights with honor and integrity in a sport often mired in controversy.
With his passing in 2023, Abe’s contributions to boxing were recognized at two USA Boxing-sanctioned events in Hawaii, with
In-Memoriam 10 Counts, honoring a man who dedicated his life to the sport he loved.
Abraham “Abe” Pacheco’s last international title fight as an official on Nov. 16, 1994, in Bangkok, Thailand, was a fitting culmination to his remarkable three-decade career in boxing officiating.
His journey began in Honolulu with a fight between Andy Ganigan and Vicente Saldivar in May 1979, and over the years, he officiated over 30 high-profile international fights.
Born in Hilo and raised in the sugar plantation camps of Wainaku, Abe developed an early interest in boxing. He honed his skills first as a boxer at the Amaulu Plantation Camp Gym and later at the Hilo Armory under the tutelage of experienced and formally trained sportsmen. In high school, he was a member of the Wanderers and Hilo Boxing Clubs, achieving success in the 119-pound weight class.
Transitioning from boxer to referee, Abe became a boxing referee in Hawaii’s amateur ranks, officiating numerous Golden Gloves and Police Activities League (PAL) events. In the 1970s, he became a sanctioned official for the North American Boxing Federation, United States Boxing Association, World Boxing Council, and International Boxing Federation. He also served on the board of the Hawaii State Boxing Commission for several years.
Abe was more than just a referee; he was an active participant in maintaining the integrity of boxing. He witnessed the sport’s evolution from its free-wheeling, bare-knuckle days to an organized sport with mature rules and a spirit of sportsmanship. He judged fights with honor and integrity in a sport often mired in controversy.
With his passing in 2023, Abe’s contributions to boxing were recognized at two USA Boxing-sanctioned events in Hawaii, with
In-Memoriam 10 Counts, honoring a man who dedicated his life to the sport he loved.
Kenichi "Stupe" Shimogawa
Kenichi “Stupe” Shimogawa, a 1943 Waimea High School graduate from Kauai, is a revered figure both sports and community service circles. After serving in the U.S. Army Occupational Force in Japan, Stupe returned home to excel in the Barefoot Football League, earning an MVP for the
Kalawai Packers. His passion for football led him to co-found Kauai’s Pop Warner program in 1963, where he served as an official and league commissioner until 2005, contributing significantly to the Shriners through game proceeds.
Stupe’s officiating extended to KIF high school games and invitations to work across Hawaiian islands. He remained updated in his field by attending clinics and conferences on the mainland and was a pioneer in including women on officiating crews.
Known for his character and integrity, Stupe’s understanding of the game’s rules was unparalleled. He advocated for positive language in sports, creating a Sportsmanship Award and emphasizing the importance of conduct in defeat.
Throughout his career, Stupe received numerous accolades, including the Pop Warner “Service to Youth” award, the National Federation State High School Hawaii Official of the Year award, recognition from the Honolulu Quarterback Club and the State
Legislature for his outstanding service. The Hawaii State Teachers Association honored him with the Friend of Youth Award, and the Koloa Pop Warner Associationʻs is named in his honor.
Married to Mary Apor since 1951, Stupe’s family has grown to include four children, seven grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
His professional life spanned 42 years in the meat-cutting industry, with 35 years at his family business. Active in his community, Stupe has been involved with the Kalaheo Japanese Community Association and West Kauai Jaycees.
His dedication to sportsmanship and community exemplifies a life well-lived, impacting generations on and off the field all the way up to his passing in 2017 at the age of 92.
Kenichi “Stupe” Shimogawa, a 1943 Waimea High School graduate from Kauai, is a revered figure both sports and community service circles. After serving in the U.S. Army Occupational Force in Japan, Stupe returned home to excel in the Barefoot Football League, earning an MVP for the
Kalawai Packers. His passion for football led him to co-found Kauai’s Pop Warner program in 1963, where he served as an official and league commissioner until 2005, contributing significantly to the Shriners through game proceeds.
Stupe’s officiating extended to KIF high school games and invitations to work across Hawaiian islands. He remained updated in his field by attending clinics and conferences on the mainland and was a pioneer in including women on officiating crews.
Known for his character and integrity, Stupe’s understanding of the game’s rules was unparalleled. He advocated for positive language in sports, creating a Sportsmanship Award and emphasizing the importance of conduct in defeat.
Throughout his career, Stupe received numerous accolades, including the Pop Warner “Service to Youth” award, the National Federation State High School Hawaii Official of the Year award, recognition from the Honolulu Quarterback Club and the State
Legislature for his outstanding service. The Hawaii State Teachers Association honored him with the Friend of Youth Award, and the Koloa Pop Warner Associationʻs is named in his honor.
Married to Mary Apor since 1951, Stupe’s family has grown to include four children, seven grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
His professional life spanned 42 years in the meat-cutting industry, with 35 years at his family business. Active in his community, Stupe has been involved with the Kalaheo Japanese Community Association and West Kauai Jaycees.
His dedication to sportsmanship and community exemplifies a life well-lived, impacting generations on and off the field all the way up to his passing in 2017 at the age of 92.
Thomas Yoshida
Thomas Yoshida’s journey in basketball officiating is nothing short of inspirational.
His passion began when he watched the officials working University of Hawaii
basketball games in the 1970s. Despite not having played or lettered in basketball himself, he was determined to be a top flight official.
Under the mentorship of esteemed Hall of Famer Fuzzy Richards, Yoshida joined the Hawaii Basketball Officials Association in 1983. His commitment to excellence was evident rising from junior varsity to varsity games in his fourth season. His first varsity partner was future Hall of Famer Sam Delos Reyes.
His pursuit of excellence led him to college camps across cities, culminating in his hiring as a NCAA Division I official by Bobby Dibler of the Western Athletic Conference in 1993. His career flourished, spanning 20 years in Division I and 26 years in both NAIA and NCAA Division II.
Noteworthy is Yoshida’s exceptional contribution to high school basketball. He officiated an astounding 31 OIA championship games and 13 HHSAA state title games. His expertise extended
beyond the court, assuming administrative roles and the presidency within the Hawaii State Basketball Officials Association, where he orchestrated day-to-day operations and left a lasting impact through his training programs and video instruction.
His dedication to all sports is further evident through his role as a basketball rules analyst for Spectrum OC16 Sports and his commitment to educating officials across Hawaii’s diverse islands through rules clinics.
His love of sports also includes serving as a statistician, something he’s done since 1979 beginning at Leilehua High School under
football coach Hugh Yoshida. He currently works with the Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association, University of Hawaiʻi and
Spectrum OC16 and conducts clinics on taking statistics. He also serves as Vice President of the Hawaii Sports Officials Hall of Fame.
Thomas Yoshida’s journey in basketball officiating is nothing short of inspirational.
His passion began when he watched the officials working University of Hawaii
basketball games in the 1970s. Despite not having played or lettered in basketball himself, he was determined to be a top flight official.
Under the mentorship of esteemed Hall of Famer Fuzzy Richards, Yoshida joined the Hawaii Basketball Officials Association in 1983. His commitment to excellence was evident rising from junior varsity to varsity games in his fourth season. His first varsity partner was future Hall of Famer Sam Delos Reyes.
His pursuit of excellence led him to college camps across cities, culminating in his hiring as a NCAA Division I official by Bobby Dibler of the Western Athletic Conference in 1993. His career flourished, spanning 20 years in Division I and 26 years in both NAIA and NCAA Division II.
Noteworthy is Yoshida’s exceptional contribution to high school basketball. He officiated an astounding 31 OIA championship games and 13 HHSAA state title games. His expertise extended
beyond the court, assuming administrative roles and the presidency within the Hawaii State Basketball Officials Association, where he orchestrated day-to-day operations and left a lasting impact through his training programs and video instruction.
His dedication to all sports is further evident through his role as a basketball rules analyst for Spectrum OC16 Sports and his commitment to educating officials across Hawaii’s diverse islands through rules clinics.
His love of sports also includes serving as a statistician, something he’s done since 1979 beginning at Leilehua High School under
football coach Hugh Yoshida. He currently works with the Hawai‘i High School Athletic Association, University of Hawaiʻi and
Spectrum OC16 and conducts clinics on taking statistics. He also serves as Vice President of the Hawaii Sports Officials Hall of Fame.
Proudly powered by Weebly