Neighborhood Stars: Fai Visuthicho & Kelvin Faller— Quiet Leaders Behind Hawaiʻi’s Vintage Base Ball Revival
- Sen. Carol Fukunaga
- Jan 14
- 2 min read
If the Aloha Vintage Base Ball Association (AVBBA) looks seamless on game day — from the period uniforms to the welcoming atmosphere at Cartwright Field — it’s because of dedicated behind-the-scenes leaders like Fai Visuthicho and Kelvin Faller, two community-builders whose commitment is quietly powering Hawaiʻi’s vintage base ball renaissance.
Fai Visuthicho: The Organizer Who Keeps History in Motion
As AVBBA’s treasurer — and, unofficially, its logistics engine — Fai is the person who turns good ideas into real events. Her steady coordination shaped nearly every detail of the fall tournament, from securing permits and wrangling equipment to making sure families felt welcomed the moment they arrived.
One memorable touch came from Fai’s creative partnership with Muumuu Library Hawaii, which provided a beautiful collection of vintage muʻumuʻu for spectators to wear during the tournament.
Fai approaches the work the way vintage base ball itself approaches sport — with heart, humility, and a deep respect for the past. Her leadership is often quiet, but unmistakable.
Kelvin Faller: Building Trust Through Hawaiʻi’s Sports Heritage
Where Fai anchors logistics, Kelvin strengthens the Association’s credibility and outreach through his partnership with Chester Sebastian in the Hawaiʻi Sports Museum venture. Together, Kelvin and Chester have forged relationships with local coaches, former players, and UH sports teams to ensure that AVBBA’s history-telling is authentic — not nostalgic guesswork.
Their careful stewardship of Hawaiʻi’s sports heritage earned a powerful symbol of trust when retired UH baseball coach Les Murakami granted them permission to use his iconic number 11 on AVBBA’s vintage-style UH baseball shirts. The design — in green and orange — mirrors Coach Murakami’s earliest uniforms, famously “borrowed” from a local team he coached in the early days of UH baseball.
This gesture wasn’t just about a number. It signaled respect, lineage, and a shared belief in honoring the people who built Hawaiʻi’s sports legacy — athletes, coaches, and community supporters alike.
A Shared Commitment to Hawaiʻi’s Heroes and Heroines
Together, Fai and Kelvin embody what makes AVBBA more than a sporting project. Their work reflects a deeper purpose: celebrating Hawaiʻi’s heroes and heroines — on and off the field — while bringing neighbors into the story.
As AVBBA’s season unfolds, the spirit of these Neighborhood Stars will continue to shine — grounding the revival in authenticity, aloha, and a love for Hawaiʻi’s unique place in the world of sport.
Learn more about Aloha Vintage Base Ball Association at https://www.alohavintagebaseballassociation.com Visit the Hawaiʻi Sports Museum at https://www.hawaiisportsmuseum.com