Seitz on Gold

Local boxer to compete in National Championships.

By Brandon Roberts

At just 18, Molokai native Nainoa Seitz is the Light-Heavyweight Champion for the state of Hawaii and has a shot at the Olympics. Now he is off to Colorado to compete in the National Championships. If victorious, Seitz could represent the United States Boxing Team in China later this year.

To help this Molokai native get to Colorado, a fundraiser was held in Kaunakakai on Feb. 27. The evening included entertainment and hula by local musicians and students of the Hawaiian Immersion School.

Patricia Hammond of The Little Grass Shack provided the catering of a wild Alaskan salmon dinner and a grilled peach with crumbled blue cheese.

“This is just so surreal,” Seitz said of the support he is receiving from the Molokai Community.

Seitz has loved boxing since childhood, but has only been training for two and a half years. He has been rewarded very early in his career, placing first this year at the Hawaii State Championships and third last year.

“I always try to keep it as positive as possible.” Seitz said. He would love to make a career of boxing, and his early success makes this dream look more like reality.

“It is a beautiful turnout,” Seitz’s mother, Mae Lynne Cruz said. “I am more than proud, I am ecstatic.”

Fundraising organizer, friend, and Hawaii Immersion teacher Manuwai Peters provided inspirational words for Seitz, as well as music, and laughter for the supportive crowd.

“It took a community to raise a champion,” Peters said. “So we can all celebrate.”

Also present was Senator J. Kalani English, who has known Seitz most of his life and also attended his high school graduation. “It is an honor to be here and to support Molokai’s Olympic hopeful,” English said.

The U.S. Future Stars National Championships will be held March 9-14 at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

For sponsorship and donations to Seitz’s Olympic bid, contact Manuwai Peters at (808) 336-1300. Mahalo Nui to all who attended and donated to help send Seitz to the top.