In Hawaiian language, "ho'okahi" translates "to make one."
On Mondays and Thursdays this summer, GoSwords.com will talk to select returning student-athletes from all 10 Chaminade University sports on how they are coping with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Featured here is
Elijah Bernardo-Flores of men's cross country. The Waipahu, O'ahu, Hawai'i native is a two-time Academic All-Pacific West Conference honoree and was the team's Scholar-Athlete of 2019-20. On the course, he had a pair of second-place team finishes including one at the PacWest Championships in Fullerton, Calif., where he set an 8-kilometer personal best time. Bernardo-Flores also enjoyed two top-seven overall finishes.
Q (GS.com): What are you missing the most about Chaminade?
A (ES): The one thing I'm miss most is the awesome events that we hosted during the lunch period. Whether it was browsing at the Hogan Marketplace or saving money with the free food line in the Loo Center, I would always look forward to the lunch period on the day the events were being held.
Q: What are you doing to keep your spirits up during the situation?
A: Now that the government has been more lenient with restrictions, I am able to do the same things I did before COVID-19. For me those things include surfing, hiking and taking photos. Being outdoors keeps my spirits up because it's amazing how much you can learn from nature when all the noise and distractions are cut out. Things are a lot more simpler even during this hectic time.
Q: How are you staying connected with your coaches and teammates?
A: I've been connecting with my coaches and teammates via email and telephone. I still keep in touch with my coach whenever I need a new training schedule. For most of my teammates, their home is elsewhere but the ones that reside here, I've been reaching out to train together.
Q: Have you learned any new skills or picked up new hobbies that you otherwise would not have if not for the current situation?
A: If it wasn't for the current situation, I would probably still be hoping for things rather than actually doing them. Now that I have the time, I'm finally putting together my photography website that I've been putting off and finishing some short films from my last road trip. Who knew that even during difficult and stressful times, you can still find joy and happiness. You can either look at the current situation and complain about it; or you can look at it from a positive and learning perspective and go out and finally learn that new skill or hobby you've always wanted to try. It's about making the most out of the cards you're dealt.
Q: What is your favorite on-the-field or on-court memory from this past 2019-20 year?
A: My favorite on-field moment would be this past fall at the conference championships in California. I was able to step up when my team needed me the most. Our top runner wasn't having a good race and, when I saw he was falling behind, I had to pick up the pace and try to get the position that he was in before he was hurting. I was able to have my best finish for the team and placed second.
Q: What is the first thing you will do after we return to a sense of "normalcy?"
A: The first thing I would like to do when things go back to "normal" is see if I can squeeze in a trip to Australia. I went last year during this time and had so much fun visiting the amazing scenery and the famous surf breaks Australia is known for. I was looking forward to going again this year but with the current situation we're in, it might be a while before I get to visit "The Land From Down Under" again.
