By Barry Villamil, President, Rotary Club of Pearlridge
Mahalo to Pearl City High School Chargers Championship Bowling Program Head Coaches Millie Gomes (Girls) and Tony Madrona (Boys) who were very special guest speakers at the Rotary Club of Pearlridge lunch meeting held on Friday, May 2, 2025 at the Pearl City Shopping Center Conference Room.
The Chargers are coming off multiple championship titles during the 2024 regular and post seasons and pulled off the Trifecta by winning the following Girls & Boys Team Championships:
- Oahu Interscholastic Association Western Division Girls & Boys Team Championships
- Oahu Interscholastic Association Girls & Boys Team Championships
- HHSAA State Girls & Boys Team Bowling Championships
Coach Millie and Coach Tony have also won multiple OIA and State Bowling Championships, as well as being named Girls and Boys Coaches of the Year through their long and iconic careers at the helm of the storied Pearl City Chargers Bowling Program.
Our RCOP membership and guests in attendance last Friday enjoyed learning about the Chargers and their success during the 2024 regular and post season. We also had the opportunity to ask questions during a wonderful Q&A session that brought back fond memories of bowling in Pearl City.
A great memory for me came from back in the day (early 70’s) bowling at the Pearl City Bowling Alley on Lehua Avenue. There were ten lanes and red bowling balls. It was so much fun and it didn’t cost much to bowl.
Coach Millie and Coach Tony also expressed the importance of Leeward Bowl at the Pearl City Shopping Center where the future of the Chargers Bowling Program comes from youth bowlers who participate in youth leagues.
Each year, some of the youth bowlers who enroll at Pearl City High School as freshmen try out for the Chargers Bowling Program. Coach Millie and Coach Tony, with smiles on their faces, mentioned that the 2025 recruiting class is filled with talented Girls and Boys bowlers. The future looks bright!
Coach Millie and Coach Tony were also extremely proud to announce that the Pearl City Chargers were honored in front of the full Honolulu City Council at Honolulu Hale in October 2024 with Honorary Certificates recognizing their Championship success and accomplishments.
I have included below a few links to the Chargers 2024 Championship run written by Coach Tony that was posted on MyPearlCity.com:
TRIPLE CROWN, CHARGER PRIDE… EXCELLENCE WITH HONOR… | MyPearlCity
Pearl City Chargers Boys & Girls State Bowling Champions honored at Honolulu Hale | MyPearlCity
Mahalo to Coach Millie and Coach Tony for spending time with the RCOP and guests on Friday. We were all inspired by their success and very giving personalities that is filled with Aloha upon the school motto, CHARGER PFIDE… EXCELLENCE WITH HONOR…
Mahalo and Aloha to a very special guest on Friday, Rotarian Linda Fukuda who was visiting the RCOP from the Rotary Club of University District – Seattle, Washington. We had a great time together and wish her safe travels back home to Seattle.
Service Above Self
Videos and Photos by Barry Villamil
