What did you love in high school? Maybe you played a sport, joined the math team, or started a club. For me, it was dance. I had dreamed of being a dancer for as long as I can remember. High school is a tough time: navigating friendships, figuring out who you are, and dealing with all the changes that come with growing up. Dance gave me an outlet. It was where I felt accepted, confident, and most like myself. I was lucky my school had a great dance program, and I got the chance to grow in something I loved.
Now, imagine your passion is golf. Imagine that the golf course is where you feel calm, confident, and fully yourself. You dream of playing in college, maybe even beyond. Your high school has a golf team, and you’ve earned a spot through hard work and dedication. But now imagine that just two years ago, your hometown burned to the ground, and the fact that you even have a school to return to is a miracle.
This was the reality for the Lahainaluna High School golf team heading into the 2025 Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) season. With the season just a week away, the team was missing one crucial piece: a coach.
West Maui continues to feel the deep impacts of the 2023 wildfire that devastated Lahaina. The cost of living remains high, and the path to rebuilding has been slow and challenging, especially for educators and coaches who are the foundation of school programs like sports.
That’s when First Tee – Hawaii stepped in. We partnered with Lahainaluna to offer free practice sessions, led by First Tee coach Jon Tempest. And when the team needed a coach, Jon answered the call and took on the role for the season.
This short documentary captures the heart of this story: one of generosity, resilience, and the unshakable spirit of a community that shows up for its kids. It’s more than just a team without a coach. It’s a reminder of the power of opportunity, the strength of young people, and how golf, like dance once was for me, can be a safe, steady place in uncertain times.
Help Us Build Game Changers
Whether you give, volunteer, or share this story, your support helps kids and teens in Hawaii grow through golf.
– Joie Ruggiero, First Tee – Hawaii Program Director