If Duke Kahanamoku is Hawaii’s legendary king of surfing, then Tom “Daddy” Haine is undoubtedly Hawaii’s king of the volleyball courts. “Daddy” represented the U.S., Hawaii and the Outrigger Canoe Club at the Pan American Games in 1963 (Silver Medal) and 1967 (Gold Medal) and was Captain of the U.S. Olympic Team in the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City. That team had the distinction of being the first U.S. Olympic team to beat the Soviets in international competition.
Playing on Open and Masters teams for the Outrigger Canoe Club, “Daddy” was named an All-American 18 times in the USVBA and AAU National Championships. He was also named Golden Masters Player of the Year in 1982 and received the USVBA All-Time Great Player award in 1990. In 1991, he was inducted into the Volleyball Hall of Fame in Holyoke, Massachusetts. In 2006, he was posthumously inducted into the YMCA Volleyball Hall of Fame.
Tom was born in Minot, North Dakota, moved to Hawaii as a youth and graduated from Roosevelt High School in Honolulu in 1950. He didn’t go out for sports while at Roosevelt, but when he attended Monterey Junior College and San Jose State he made his mark in football, basketball, water polo and swimming, in which he was twice named All-American.
Tom’s volleyball exploits read like something straight out of a rags to riches Hollywood script, going from humble beginnings in 1947 as a teenage sand eater on the beach fronting the OCC, and rising all the way to the USVBA Hall of Fame. He was State Doubles Champion 12 times, and won the Club Doubles Championship many times as well.
Tom participated in practically every sport at the OCC, including paddling where he won a State Championship with his Junior crew.
Tom served on nearly every Outrigger Canoe Club committee. He was elected to the Board of Directors for the first time in 1968, working his way through all the offices to President in 1972. In 1984 he was again elected to the Board and served as President for a second term in 1987. Elected again in 1994, he was Secretary at the time of his death.
“Daddy” was one of the original athletes named to the Outrigger’s Winged “O” in 1968.
The Outrigger Canoe Club was a second home to Tom; his friendships were deep and his devotion to competition was legendary. He could be found on the volleyball courts most weekends, as well as lunch times. Being his partner was an honor as well as a bit intimidating to young players who idolized him. One member recalled hanging out on the Club courts hoping for a chance to play with one of the legends. “One day at lunchtime, I was waiting and “Daddy’s” partner was late. He finally asked me to be his partner. I was a real novice and when I’d miss the ball, he’d glare at me and then say that I’d do better the next time. I did. Thankfully his partner finally showed up and I could stop shaking.” He was an unofficial coach to many of the Club’s young volleyball players and was the player they most hoped to emulate.
Tom was known as “Daddy” to most Club members and around the volleyball world. The nickname was given to him by his wife Marilyn, and caught on because of his imposing, amiable presence and ferocious success on the volleyball court.
Off the sand, Daddy was a banker and served in the Air Force and Hawaii Air National Guard as a jet pilot, attaining the rank of major. He was also on the Nissan Hall of Honor selection committee.
Tom suffered a massive heart attack at the Club after a workout on September 10, 1994, going the way he probably would have liked, doing what he liked best at his home away from home.
A member echoed the sentiments of many when he said “If someone had to be identified as a winner it was “Daddy”. He competed harder than anyone I know but he never sacrificed sportsmanship or goodwill for winning.”
The sand volleyball courts at the Club were named after him following his untimely death. Every Labor Day weekend the “Daddy” Haine 4-Man Volleyball Tournament is held at the Club in his honor. A sportsmanship award is also given each year to a volleyball player in his name.
One of the awesome things about “The Daddy” is that it brings old friends together and it allows players with wide variety of skills and experience to play together for a common goal.
In the traditional opening ceremony before the 2015 tournament started, Tom’s daughter Kisi Haine offered a prayer:
“Dear God,
“Thank you for this beautiful day, these awesome volleyball courts and the opportunity to play some volleyball today with family, friends and soon to be new friends. Daddy was a wonderful person! Many of you out there had friendships with him and many of you may only know a little, if anything, about him. He was a strong but very kind man. He was encouraging to young players who came up to the Big Courts. He loved to “clear court” on Sundays and he had that awesome “Daddy Dink”. He was a great Dad to Marc and me and taught us the value of hard work. Lastly, he was a loving and caring husband to our mom, Marilyn Haine.
“In the spirit of the “Daddy”, whether you go one-two-bar-b-que and end up in the beer bracket or win and end up competing for the championship in the winner’s bracket: Play fair. Play hard. Play safe, and have fun! “Good luck with all our love and Aloha. Amen.”