MAYOR HANNEMANN CONGRATULATES WAIPIO CHAMPS AND HAWAII OLYMPIANS

Mayor Mufi Hannemann today congratulated the Waipio Little League team for its remarkable 12-to-3 victory over Matamoros, Mexico for the Little League World Series Championship.

"We are all extremely proud of our outstanding young athletes," Mayor Hannemann said. "Today's wonderful performance has greatly enhanced our home's growing reputation for excellence in sports. Not many cities can say they have produced two Little League World Series Championship teams in four years."

The City will plan a parade through Waikiki for the team and for Hawaii's Olympic athletes, in cooperation with the Honolulu County Sports Commission, he said.

Olympians from Hawaii have collectively won more medals this year than some entire countries, the mayor noted.

"This is an awesome achievement that will be noticed around the world, and our Hawaii Olympians truly deserve to be honored appropriately," Mayor Hannemann said.

The upcoming Parade of Champions will be the third since 2005. The first honored the West Oahu Little League team, which won the Little League World Series that year. The second parade, in January 2008, honored the BCS Sugar Bowl University of Hawaii Warriors football team, state high school football champions and other college and high school athletic championship teams.

"These parades provide great opportunities for fans and supporters to congratulate the athletes up close and in person, as they truly deserve," Mayor Hannemann said. "We also plan to include former Olympians that Hawaii has produced."

Mayor Hannemann established the Honolulu County Sports Commission last September to support local sports and attract new events to stimulate the growth of Hawaii's sports industry.

The date and time of the upcoming parade will be announced as soon as possible.

Contact: Informational Affairs Officer Johnny Brannon, 527-5767