MEDIA RELEASE

Stan Shutes and his daughter, Christina, officially open the new Stanford W. Shutes Track at Hawaii Preparatory Academy as the school’s headmaster, Lindsay Barnes, looks on. Photo courtesy of HPA

WAIMEA, Island of Hawaii—Hawaii Preparatory Academy dedicated the new Stanford W. Shutes Track on Monday, September 13. Lower, Middle, Upper School students and special guests, including the track’s namesake and many of his former students, gathered for the ceremony officiated by Father Guy Piltz.

The track, which closed in early February for the major renovation project, opened about a month ahead of the original schedule. Ken Melrose of Pa’ahana Enterprises was the project manager. Isemoto Contracting Company was the contractor, Fukunaga & Associates was the civil engineer, and Resort Management Group was the landscape contractor.

“The dream has become a reality,” said Headmaster Lindsay Barnes. “This marvelous facility is a place where more dreams will be fulfilled in the months, years, and generations to come. We thank everyone who contributed in any way to make this day possible.”

The new Stanford W. Shutes Track is a 400-meter, eight-lane all-weather synthetic surface track with synthetic infields in the “D” zones at each end for the high jump, pole vault, and long jump track events. The track was designed and built in compliance with National Federation of State High School Associations (NFSHSA) and International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) standards governing high school and international amateur competitions.

The $3 million project also includes renovation and irrigation of the interior grass football field/soccer pitch and the addition of terraced spectator seating. The work was funded by donations, most of which came from Shutes’ many former students during his 26-year tenure at HPA as track and cross country coach, teacher, and administrator.

“The dream of this track has been about 30 years,” said Stanford Shutes. “I am honored to have my name on this track, but I’m deeply humbled because I know as I look here today, and as I remember things about this entire campus, that I was helped by many, many people and I tend to believe that today, we’re also honoring them.”

The new track will enable HPA to resume host duties for island and statewide events, including BIIF meets and championships and age-group events. HPA will host its first cross country meet and football game at the new facility on October 2.