The 2023 Hawaii Sports Officials Hall of Fame Class. Top row from left to right: Jim Hanson, Dr. Lloyd Hisaka, Donald Meinel, and J. Craig Smith. Bottom row from left to right: Gene Smith, David Smith, Carole Nakaji, and Dean Young. CJ Caraang | SL

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The Hawaii Sports Officials Hall of Fame inducted six officials to to the Class of 2023 at an in-person ceremony held on Sunday, Sept. 3 at the Ala Moana Hotel.

Members of the sixth class, in alphabetical order are:

Denice Hanson

Although she was an outstanding volleyball and canoe paddling athlete, she was known for her many appearances as a volleyball official. Officiated at nearly every level from league play to high school to USA Volleyball and ultimately a NCAA Division I official working for the Western Athletic and Big West Conferences. Her biggest accomplishments were earning USA Volleyball Junior National and National Officials Certification as well as traveling to California to work WAC volleyball matches. Hanson passed away in 2021.

Dr. Lloyd Hisaka

His contribution to Hawaii officiating extends beyond the football field and basketball courts. For nearly 50 years he taught college students to officiate flag football as part of the UH Manoa Intramural Sports program. He also served on the NFHS football rules committee and honored as an NFHS distinguished official. On the field, he worked collegiate and high school football and basketball since 1976. He also was a founding member of the Hawaii Football Official's Clinic.

Donald Meinel

As a mentor to countless softball officials in his career, Donald Meinel taught respect for the game and how to officiate and enjoy the game. Since 1988, he umpired slow and fast-pitch games as well as worked high school and collegiate games in Division I and II. Behind the scenes, he was elected president of the Amateur Softball Association of Hawaii in 1985 and served 3 years until his appointment as Commissioner of USA Softball in 1988 and served in that role for 33 years until his retirement in 2021. 
 
J. Craig Petersen

His officiating career is among the who's who of basketball officials in Hawaii. He joined Hawaii Basketball Official's Association under Hawaii Sports Officials Hall of Fame Inductee, James Aiona in 1972 and quickly rose to be among the top high school officials on Oahu. He worked high school basketball games for 17 seasons, including two HHSAA State Championship games. In 1979 Craig was hired to officiate in the Western Athletic Conference and worked full schedules in both Hawaii and on the mainland. He is the only Hawaii official to work a WAC men's championship game in 1993. He also worked Big West women's basketball, the prestigious Maui Invitational and the post-season National Invitational Tournament. 
 
John Smith

A native of Louisiana, John Smith moved to Hawaii in 1966 and soon began working as an umpire a year later in the Majors Division of the Palolo Little League. In, 1971, he started umpiring Babe Ruth and high school junior varsity. Two years later he worked varsity, AJA and American Legion games. In 1975, he started umpiring University of Hawaii games. His two sons (Gene and David) played on the UH baseball teams during this period and had outstanding careers. In the 1980s, he began scheduling umpires for American Legion, high school, AJA and the Hawaii Baseball League. He passed away in 2017.

Glenn Young

Although many people knew him as a long-time assistant basketball coach and founder of the ʻIolani Classic, Glenn had a distinguished career as a football official. He worked over 25 years working in the Oahu Interscholastic Association and worked multiple OIA championships, the Oahu Prep Bowl and the first two HHSAA state championship games.  He was a very respected rules administrator and well regarded in the OIA and was also among first coordinator of officials for the HHSAA football championships. He passed away in 2015.