Special Olympics builds a special community and a swim team
By Angela Cifone
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HONOLULU (KITV) — What started in 1994 with just six athletes, is now a program with more than 100 members.
The Honolulu Ducks Special Olympics team is built on inclusion, growth, and community.
“I have a Down Syndrome boy who loved doing things with his friends at school. And as he got ready to graduate, I thought, what’s going to happen to Ethan and his friendships? There’ll be nothing to tie them together and get them together,” said Barbara Poole-Street, founder of the Ducks’ Special Olympics team.
That question sparked the idea of the team.
“We started out as the Mighty Ducks, but now we have so many teams in various sports that we’ve just become the ducks,” said Poole-Street.
The program now offers multiple sports, but for many on this swim team, it’s the friendships that matter most.
“It’s become such a friendship group for everybody, not only for the athletes, but for the parents,” said Poole-Street.
That sense of support is something families say is life-changing.
“I didn’t realize when I started this how life-changing it would be for the families,” said Poole-Street.
Among the athletes is Kaylee, who has cerebral palsy, continues to break barriers. From completing the Honolulu Marathon, to now competing in the pool.
She is now preparing for the 2026 Special Olympics Hawaii State Summer Games.
“Kaylee’s overcome so many things. She was scared of the deep water. Now she’s asking to go into the deep water,” said Caranthia White, a volunteer coach with the Ducks’ Special Olympics swimming team
Her progress is powered by determination and the support around her.
“It brings so much joy and happiness to our whole family, and I couldn’t imagine not being here with them,” said White.
It’s that joy shared across athletes, families, and coaches that continues to define the Ducks.
“This whole program, the Ducks and Special Olympics, means so much to my family and me. They’ve done so much for my daughter. They’ve done so much for Kaylee,” said White.
The 2026 Special Olympics Hawaii State Summer Games swimming competition is set for June at the University of Hawaii.
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