With a bittersweet goodbye, ‘Iolani School bids aloha to Mr. Charley Gima. For those who saw him on a field, the infirmary or the athletic training room, his presence stabilizes the room. He is an athletic trainer for ‘Iolani, coordinating between the infirmary, coaches, parents and doctors. ‘Iolani’s collection of trophies and sports banners were thanks to the assistance of Mr. Gima, who helped many students recover and return to sports. Micah D. ’26 commented; “ If somebody gets injured, he’s there…He’s always helping, asking if you need anything. He works hard… he really loves ‘Iolani and their athletes.” For four decades, Mr. Gima served as a coordinator, trainer, and friend for students and staff alike, stating; “When you have something good, you stay with it, especially with the way ‘Iolani is, such as the One Team ‘Ohana spirit.”
Born and raised in Lana’i, he pursued athletic health in college. Mr. Gima was hired at ‘Iolani as a student athletic trainer, eventually running the entire training room! Mr. Gima credits his late friend Mr. Eddie Hamada ’46 for helping him adjust, saying; “Eddie Hamada was very inspirational in his way of running a department with care, spreading aloha to everyone.”
Shannon Yonamine, a nurse here at ‘Iolani, knew Mr. Gima since 2008, combining athletic and medical expertise to assist ‘Iolani students. Mr. Gima often helped his colleagues, from assisting the nurses during ‘Iolani Fair, to working with them during Covid-19. Mrs. Yonamine said, “We work really well together.”
Micah recalled that Mr. Gima helped him overcome fear of his shoulder injury interfering with practice. Micah reflected, saying: “I can get a little too timid or worried about certain injuries.” He thought to himself, “I don’t know if I can practice or if I should compete,” but acknowledged why he resisted practicing: “It was mainly because I didn’t want to.” Finally, Micah recalled; I saw Mr. Gima, and I was trying to get him to see if he would say, ‘Oh yeah, you shouldn’t practice today.’ But he told me to suck it up and just go out and practice, because he said it’s minor and I’ll be fine… He made me realize that I was just looking for an excuse… Excuses don’t fly with Mr. Gima.” This shows Mr. Gima’s spirit, urging students to be determined and hold themselves to high standards.
Mr. Gima will retire this year to spend time with his family. His daughter Ashley Gima ’06 and son Austin Gima ’12 now have children of their own. Mr. Gima joked, “I’m tired of being a FaceTime grandparent.”
Finally, Mrs. Yonamine reflected: “I truly feel that Gima is a part of my ‘Ohana. He has a really good heart. He’s a very caring man, with a great sense of humor and an amazing laugh….I’ll miss his passion and his love.” After this school year, Mr. Gima looks forward to his retirement, being with family in Las Vegas, listening to slack key guitar and resting on his laurels.
