Kaiser junior varsity girls basketball head coach Jaime Nerona has been dismissed for undisclosed reasons, according to Department of Education spokesperson Lindsay Chambers.
Under the DOE’s privacy policy, school officials, including athletic directors and principals, are not allowed to discuss personnel details.
The dismissal is the latest in a string of controversy at Kaiser. Simon Bitanga, the varsity girls basketball head coach, was put on leave before being reinstated late in the recently completed season in which the Cougars made it to the state Division I semifinals. Bitanga was the focus of two investigations by the DOE stemming from parent complaints. According to Honolulu Star-Advertiser and Hawaii Prep World sources, Bitanga was reinstated after the first investigation was completed. At that time, no disciplinary measures — in addition to the leave — were taken.
The second investigation was recently completed, according to Chambers, who added somewhat contradictorily that the DOE is still in the process of “wrapping it up.”
Typically, when DOE investigations of this sort are complete, the paperwork is forwarded to the school’s principal, which in this case is Kaiser’s Justin Mew.
Mew has declined comment and has referred all queries to Chambers.
Why can’t anyone answer why a great coach like Simon would ban children from playing in his league? is Action Jackson and HK96825 going to say it’s “tough love”? Well answer me this. Is it tough love when Coach Simon and Coach Jaime are calling players by their race? Or is it tough love when he calls his players fat? That right there shows you that these people are unfit to coach at any level. Don’t even get me started on coach Noah.
I would have never thought I’d agree more with a talking pitcher of juice. Sounds like some people are drinking too much Simon Bitanga Kool Aid.
I’ve heard allegations of name calling and swearing at kids. This is 2016 and that is unacceptable. And Miss Jackson won’t reply to the fact that Coach Simon bans kids from his league if they leave his club. It’s public record and he’s practically sent emails to various coaches numerous times. Miss Jackson won’t comment on this. She knows this is wrong even though she witnessed it from the sidelines since she’s never played a real game in her career.
Where are you Miss Jackson? Mommy took away your computer privileges?
If people don’t know how to take a joke then they should be playing with people who always joke around. Thats how coach Simon and coach Jaime are they aren’t all business they like to have fun with their players. People need to grow up and take things like big girls, coach Simon coach Jaime and coach Noah don’t call people by their race and they also don’t call people fat. That another rumor that isn’t true, people will do what ever they want and say what ever they want to bring someone down and in this case all I hear is bad things about Simon and Jaime. That’s all anyone ever sees bad bad bad but they are wrong all of you, they are both great coaches who know a lot about basketball. If you don’t like the way they coach then simply don’t play don’t ruin the whole thing for all of the other girls on the team, you dont like the way they coach then don’t play for them cause they aren’t gonna change the way they coach just for some girl who can’t take it .
HK96825, why won’t you respond to my comment made several times about not letting kids who leave his club play in his leagues? I’m guessing cuz you can’t answer it and you know it’s wrong!
HK96825: You are right, all of these allegations must be completely FALSE. Simon and Jaime are outstanding citizens…. Is that why Jaime was fired, was it for being a great human being? She must’ve done something serious to get herself fired don’t you think? The truth will always be the truth.
*grabs popcorn and refreshes page*
Miss Jackson and HK won’t reply to the fact that Simon bans kids from his league if they quit his club. Not adult, but kids! Auwe!
I forgot to add…
Coach Jaime is so friendly. Is it weird that a grown woman in her late 20’s is sending my 15 year old friend requests on social media? Who by the way doesn’t even go to Kaiser….
Eva, they won’t reply to it. They know the truth, and so do we. It’s such a shame that a “Man” would do this to kids. All they can say is he’s a great coach. LOL!
Action Jackson has been exposed. Girly can’t reply to the truth and she knows that banning little kids is bad. No way around it.
Here’s a quick recap for all the people refreshing their screens at home.
Seems like no one can give Eva and Steph valid reasons for Simon banning kids.
Jackson apologized to Eva and basketball watcher, but had his comment removed? We haven’t heard from him since.
HK… Well… No one reads what HK writes.
Newcomer Felicia is sure that the truth will come out.
And Sure is… I guess sure (lol) that Jackson has been exposed.
Stay tuned people!
Jackson’s commment was removed because it was from a different email and IP address than the one Action Jackson usually uses.
Kool Aid must have been a scholar student because that was a great synopsis of what has transpired so far. And no, Miss Jackson cannot comment since she knows the truth and it’s bad.
Thank you Eva. For the record, it does not take a “collage” (as what HK would say) educated person to understand that what is wrong is wrong.
Can you imagine being a young girl and finding out that your former coach sent out mass text messages banning you from playing? What kind of man does that? I’ll tell you why he banned those girls. It’s simple. They are way too good for him! They don’t even belong in his league. Those kids deserve to play in a caliber that is beyond is so called coach. Think about it Eva and Steph, he’s afraid to play against those girls he banned.
For all you Simon Bitanga followers drinking my KoolAid products, please continue to do so. I have a new flavor coming out called Fruitcake. Get yours today at Grocery store near you.
Sincerely,
Your FAVORITE Bowl of Fruit Punch
Oh Yeeeeah!
To all the young girls that Simon Bitanga banned,
Take it as a blessing! He is terrified of playing against YOU! Look at where you are, YOU probably go to a better school where the administration isn’t corrupt, or you play under a REAL coach that builds your confidence. Don’t let this little man break you. And if you cry, let it be tears of joy! You did not drink the KoolAid. Wherever you are, your coach most likely isn’t under an investigation. Your life is great!
And if he called you by your race, it’s because his vocabulary is mediocre. He’s too worried about banning girls he’s afraid of playing against that he has no time to learn your name. Yeah, I know it doesn’t make it right… But that’s just how his tiny brain works.
I totally agree with you Kool A. And too much people are drinking that juice.
What about simon drinking alcohol in front of the kids??? Anyone heard about that? Isn’t that a no no for DOE employees? Easidaz parents are ok with that I guess., up until the day that they find out their daughters are drinking too and they learned it by watching their Easidaz coaches.
Now that’s just another something that should be investigated. Bones just falling out of the closet left and right. Simon can change this and gain some respect back by resigning as a coach.
WOW! That is so much worse than banning kids from your league. I also heard that many kids in the HK area who will eventually play for Kaiser join the Eastsidaz for fear that they might not make the team if they do not join. That just sucks! These coaches should all resign and stop coaching kids at any level.
Where is Action Jackson? Mary ran away with her tail between her legs, haha.
I don’t even know what to say anymore! I hope the Kaiser high school administration is reading every single post. It may not be actual proof to fire them, but it’s definitely something that needs to be checked out immediately! Why is he still there? I don’t get it!!!!!!!!
On March 10, I received a call from a friend, “Nick Abrano wrote an
article that you should read”.
I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read this article, I was worried if it would be accurate or if it was only based on the coaches story.
I have read other articles in the Star Advertiser that the reporter only took information from interviews he did with the coach and it wasn’t an accurate story.
First, I would like to thank Nick Abrano for his integrity to uncover the truth regardless of the difficulties invoked and reporting it in a fair, respectful manner.
Receiving information from all parties involved or at least giving them an opportunity to share their side, show that you are a responsible reporter.
The truth always comes out and what has been posted on this blog is just a piece of all the wrong doing, there are soooo many more events that have taken place and for the Kaiser High Schools Administration to not take serious action is unacceptable.
To Stephanie Wong, Justice Seeker, KJ, ILH Observer, Rad, Eva, Bob The Builder, Basketball Watcher, Kool A, Fired, Positive Coach, Sure, and Felicia, thank you for your SUPPORT. It means the world to all the girls that have been battered by this coaching staff. As for my daughter, I recently shared this blog with her and I want to let each and everyone of you know, you have all helped her to heal.
Kool A, I have printed your last post and taped it to my daughters bedroom wall. I want her to read it everyday and know that she is BLESSED!
To Action Jackson and HK96825, if you have a daughter, let her play for this coaching staff and I want to know if you would not go to the moon and back to protect your daughters.
This goes to show that POSITIVITY always will trump negativity! The truth will always be the truth, and you can’t hide from it. HK and Action have been defeated! God bless all of you and your children!
^^^^^ AGREED!
What a powerful statement by so many people supporting kids! Clowns like Action Jackson talk big on boards. But he could never allow the to happen to his own daughter. And if he did, maybe he has no business being a parent. I think it is time for Kaiser HS to make a change to protect the integrity of the school, but more importantly protect the self-esteem of the children.
To the Kaiser Principal and AD, sometimes it takes a lot of courage to do the RIGHT thing. We teach all our kids that standing up and doing the right thing is not easy and takes a lot of courage. Maybe you two should be the example of just that. Have se courage and do the RIGHT thing for yourself, for the school and most importantly for the girls. These teens are looking for good examples in this world. Do it for them! You know what to do. Like Nike says, JUST DO IT!
The Kaiser Administration won’t do anything. They lack integrity and accountability. They are hoping everything blows away so they can sweep it under the rug.
Where are you Action Jackson?
Can someone tell me where Janet Jackson went? She was all talk.. I mean all TYPE on the first page. I wonder what happened? Did someone scare her away???? Ya’ll need to stop that. Her concert was great! Amazing performer!
Blessed Parent, thank you! I’m glad your daughter gets to see all the support here. No child should have to endure such negativity from a coaching staff. You did your job as a parent by keeping her away from that Koolaid!
I have to agree that the Kaiser/Eastsidaz coaching staff does and says things that go way beyond the line of acceptable. But what are we supposed to do? Admin doesn’t care. And if we don’t play for the guy he will cut our kids from Kaiser. Going to private school or another public school just isn’t in the cards for us. And, if the guy will ban kids who leave his program from playing in his league, what do you think he will do for kids that don’t want to join his club and will eventually end up at Kaiser?
Don’t give in everyone! we have to keep putting pressure on the admin and the DOE. Even get the media involved. I’m sure kaiser admin don’t want anymore media coverage on their athletic programs.
I agree Rad! I hope that the newspaper is reading all our comments and will write another article about the obviously corrupt administration at Kaiser.
Eastsidaz Parent, I’m happy that you are able to share your concerns or least vent your frustrations!
The Kaiser Girls basketball program is best described as , “PAY TO PLAY”. If you don’t play for the Eastsidaz club, if you don’t pay for all their fundraising, if you don’t pay for all fees, and pay… pay… pay… than you can’t play for “YOUR HIGH SCHOOL” basketball program that this coach coaches.
BEWARE… I heard this year the acting head coach filed false police reports and put TRO’s on several families, these girls missed more than half of their senior season, and were not ALLOWED to participate in their senior night. The most screwed up part is…. This coach did not show up to the TRO hearing and the Kaiser admin and DOE handed out NO punishment.
I hope these families are seeking legal advice! Or if anyone can suggest some good attorneys to them.
Rad, I agree with you, let’s continue to put pressure on the administration! Principal Justin Mew’s email address is justin_mew@hawaiidoe.org
Let’s send as much emails to him and let him know this is not just a school concern, but a community concern!
I will be printing out this blog and mailing it to him, I want him to know how foolish he and his administration looks.
Here’s another thing. Simon gets upset when girls leave his team to go to private schools and then he bans them from playing in his leagues. The funny thing is it’s ok for him to take girls from schools because they play on Eastsidaz and they don’t even live in he district. It’s been well known for some time that simon allows players to use his address to bypass the system so they can attend kaiser. Isn’t that considered violation of OIA rules and just flat out cheating!??!?? It’s ok for him to take players but not ok for others to offer “his” players a private school education??? Which parent would not choose to have a free or close to free private education at ILH schools??? How come so many players use his address but nothing has happened to him??!!?? Another example of administration sticking their heads in the sand and hope it’ll go away. Guest what, until admin addresses these issues, this is not going away.!!!
That’s right!!!! I heard this past season, he let an out off district family use his address. And guess what happened? They got caught and had to get a GE. Of course they got the GE because the principal’s salary is based on enrollment numbers.
Kaiser administration only cares about themselves. They look out for themselves and not the students.
“Blessed Parent”, God is good all the time.
I gave the parents of the player involved with the situation every opportunity to comment, and they responded that they had to consult with their lawyer. Then there was nothing. I am still available for them if they are willing to comment ON RECORD, 808-551-1054.
Coach Bitanga did not comment either. The only person willing to say anything on record to me has been a club coach.
Count your blessings and please, let’s keep it real. If you or the parents don’t want to speak on the record, that’s fine. But let’s not get things twisted. We all would like to see the facts presented, if possible.
Mahalo.
^^ LOL! How did you know that “blessed parent was talking about you? I think everyone here is keeping it real… Everyone but you.
You sure do have a guilty conscience being that you’re a reporter.
That awkward moment when no names are mentioned, but you still try to “keep it real”, and “not get things twisted”.
I as well didn’t mention any names. Let’s see how many people think I’m talking about them.
I am not finished…
You proceed to leave your number, ASSUMING these parents want to speak to you. Please, tell my why parents would want to speak to a reporter that assumes? This article is a fine example of proper facts gathered from all parties.
Then again, I’m just assuming that you’re assuming that this lovely parent was talking about you.
Assumption… It’ll get ya!
Sounds like the families are afraid to come forward.
Excuse me Mr. Honda, but I know the parents of the girls involved and they all have confirmed that you did not contact them. You wrote an article that was false and now you are clearly lying on this blog. It is obvious that you are not an honest reporter, and I understand why no one would want to contact you for an interview. You should count your blessings that you are still a reporter because if I was your boss, you would be FIRED!!! Kool Aid is right, you are assuming which makes an ASSoutofU&ME!
88, it’s not that the parents don’t want to come forward, they just want the truth to be told by a great reporter like Nick.
Nick is a fantastic guy and tremendous reporter. But they simply decided not to comment when I tried to reach them, plain and simple. That was fine with me, it’s the choice of them and their lawyer. Feel free to call me 808-551-1054. They are also free to call me, too. They have my number and I have theirs, but as far as I know, there’s no desire on their part to do more.
I can meet you or anyone else if you’re willing to go on record. Or you can go on and on with this. I only replied because I saw mistruth. And I will defend myself or anyone else on our staff rather than read the misleading info of someone who won’t post their real name online or meet me in person or talk to me by phone. Simple as that. I’m for transparency whether it involves me or not. But I’m not going to force it.
Have good day.
Mr. Hyundai, I’m going to ASSUME these parents don’t want to talk to you.
Adding a little fuel to the fire here, but I have encountered this first hand! Been looking for some gym time for my daughters volleyball club tried Koko Head, after a week I got a return call- they said the gym was full, so I called the AD at Kaiser for use of the gym he told me it was almost $200 per hour and that the weekends were full. I asked around and found out that the Eastsidaz, not only had the Koko Head facilities but also the Kaiser gym. After speaking too some other parents whose kids play for Eastsidaz and said they use the gym all day and all night sometimes on Sat and Sun? My question is does he pay that same amount as the public? Shouldn’t he be paying the same? Its an eastsidaz league not a Kaiser (OIA) regulated sport. Do the proceeds go to the DOE for usage? or do all us tax payers pay for it?
Wasn’t there a recent issue with a Church abusing their privileges at Kapolei High School?
I have no beef with the coach, I don’t know the guy at all, but I do think use of the facilities should be regulated and the public should not be funding the league or his team!
I’ve heard stories about that as well. That specific Kaiser AD is drinking that KoolAid. They’re all in it together. This goes to show how corrupt the Kaiser admin is. They think they’re invincible.
By the way, you have the best name by far.
So I used to work for the Department of Education in the facilities department. Step 1 is you need to fill out the form below since the Eastsidaz is not a DOE sanctioned event.
http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/DOE%20Forms/Facilities/UseofSchoolFacilities.pdf
Step 2 is you need to pay. He is the link for the payment rate: http://www.hawaiipublicschools.org/DOE%20Forms/Facilities/UseofFacilitiesFeeSchedule.pdf
Kaiser Gym would qualify as a Gymnasium I (more than 750 seat capacity including floor). The rate for this is $79/hour. You also need to add on the rate of $37.71/hour for the utilities charge – Auditorium I (more than 750 seats).
Kaiser charges a flat rate of $50 for the custodian to clean prior to and after the event is over.
Let’s assume that the Eastsidaz run 4 games on a Saturday. After 4 hours they should be paying a grand total of $516.82. If they had 6 games it would cost $750.26. If they ran an 8 hour day they should be paying $983.68.
We all know that the league he runs does not generate that kind of money. So it’s clear that the administration is not following both the Superintendent and the Attorney General’s mandate to not give discounts to church, clubs, or non DOE-Sanctioned Events. Last year the Attorney General sent out an email and letter to all Hawaii Athletic Directors reminding them of the rule and if any side deals were cut and the Attorney General’s Office found out, then they would prosecute the Athletic Director on felony theft.
This is a sad day in Hawaii. Coaches mentally and verbally abusing kids, Administrators not following rules and making special exceptions and breaking the law.
What has this world come to?
WOOOOOWWWWWWWW…..
Thank you, HIVBALL and Basketball watcher. I too have heard stories about the Easidaz club using the Kaiser gym. I hope someone in the DOE sees this. Kaiser needs to clean house immediately. These adults are liabilities.
THANK YOU, BASKETBALL WATCHER!!!!!
All of these posts are reassuring me that the truth will come out!
Mr. Paul Honda, if you want a story, why doesn’t the Star Advertiser look into this? It borders on felony theft. By not charging the appropriate rate, the monies are not being used for kids which is clearly illustrated by the links I provided for evidence.
The proof and evidence is there. There is no way the Eastsidaz is paying the appropriate rate for the use of facility. I believe at Kaiser either the Vice Principal or Athletic Director handles the use of facility.
I believe during the 2014-2015 school year, the letter came from the attorney general informing the schools of the new DOE pay schedule to use the different facilities at the school (cafeteria, gym, fields, etc).
This is just bad. I would like to think that our only local newspaper would investigate and find out the truth to make sure the kids are not being taken advantage of.
This is no different than the Hawaii Technology Academy former principal, Jeffrey Piontek stealing over $100,000 from the charter school.
Please tell me how this is different if the school (Kaiser) isn’t charging the appropriate rate to use their facility. If this is true, they are stealing money from the kids by not paying what they legally should.
And if this is true, the Principal, Vice Principal, and Athletic Director should be held accountable and prosecuted by the DA.
Mr. Honda, are you going to look into this? Just because the Admin doesn’t return calls doesn’t mean they are innocent. Silence is usually a sign of guilt.
It amazes me how this article uncovered so much. As a concerned community we have gathered together on the World Wide Web to voice our concerns.
Allow me to list them…
– Mental and verbal abuse of players
– FALSE TRO’s on parents
– Players being banned from tournaments
– Name calling
– The coaches drinking in front and with players
– A “pay to play” program
– Players using the the coach’s address
– Misuse of the school gym
– An administration that throws their problems under this massive Persian rug they have. <– hey, maybe that's where all the money went? They used it to buy a rug to hide their issues. I bet it's in the principal's office. His office has got to be huge.
My apologies if I have missed a few, it's been rough trying to keep up. It blows my mind knowing that the DOE continued to let this coach and his staff finish up the season. How are any of these things ok?