An all-around athlete, “Jinkie” starred in and won seven letters at Punahou in football, track, baseball and tennis. He distinguished himself in track both in high school and college and is still regarded as one of Hawaii’s all-time greats.This article appears as originally published in the Summer 1981 issue of the Punahou Bulletin.
Captain of the track squad in his senior year he ended his brilliant high school athletic career by setting a record in the 880 and being the high point winner in the annual ILH meet where his individual performances in he dashes and relays enabled Punahou to beat Kamehameha by 2 points.
At college Jinkie’s prowess in the 440 yard dash earned him the reputation as one Cornell University’s all-time outstanding quarter-milers. He continued to carve a wide niche in Eastern cinder circles running for the New York Athletic Club while attending law school at Cornell. Upon returning form Cornell in 1926, despite a new career as an enterprising young attorney, Jinkie found time to become Punahou’s track coach (1927 – 1929). During this period he turned out championship teams, the greatest of which was probably his squad of 1929. He thought enough of the outstanding stars of this team to see that they were taken to the 1929 Kansas and Penn Relays.
While business pressure compelled Jinkie to resign as head track coach, he continued to assist with Punahou’s track teams for years – well into the 1940’s. An avid competitor he continued also to find time to participate in sports and is still remembered as outstanding soccer player, one of the Myrtle Boat Club’s truly great oarsmen, and a consistent winner in the raced of the Kaneohe, Pearl Harbor and Waikiki Yacht Clubs.