Wai‘anae District Park gets renamed to honor late boxing coach

On what would have been his 91st birthday, a community event Saturday honored the late Fred Fernandez Pereira, Sr., also known as "Pops". 

The founder of Wai‘anae Boxing Club died last April.

"Pops was a cherished leader in the Wai’anae community and the world of boxing from April 12, 1934, until his passing on April 25, 2024,” said Councilmember Andria Tupola. “In 1972, he founded the Wai‘anae Boxing Club, which became a beacon of hope for local youth, addressing issues like drug abuse and juvenile delinquency. Under his mentorship, the club produced numerous champions and taught important life lessons such as hard work and respect. This renaming honors his profound impact, ensuring his legacy is remembered for generations to come.” 

Growing up, Pops "could be found racing his dirt bikes or surfing at beaches in Māʻili" and as an adult, "he used his skilled hands and creative mind to become a master carpenter – there wasn’t anything Papa Fred couldn’t build," his obituary read. "However, it was in the realm of boxing that Pops found his true calling. In the 1970s, he founded Wai‘anae Boxing Club dedicating himself as the head coach to shaping not only the athletic abilities but also the character and resilience of his young fighters."

His most recent accolade was being inducted into the Golden Gloves of America National Coaches Hall of Fame in 2019. That same year, he coached the Hawai‘i National Golden Gloves team, which won three gold medals and one silver, with the first Hawai‘i boxer to claim a national Golden Gloves championship.

"Pops coached a total of 22 professional boxers from Hawaiʻi throughout his career and countless more in the community," according to his obituary.

The entrance to the boxing gym now bears the name, Fred “Pops” Fernandez Pereira, Sr., Wai‘anae District Park Boxing Gym, as part of the nearly 23-acre Leeward park and recreation building, which is currently under construction. The complex including Pop’s boxing gym will soon get also get a facelift by the City & County of Honolulu, officials said.

Inside the Fred “Pops” Fernandez Pereira, Sr., Wai‘anae District Park Boxing Gym, parkgoers can find memorabilia and photos.

“My dad made a huge difference, and you see that with the people here today, his ʻohana,” said Pop’s daughter Lena Marie Silva, at the event. “Now the world‘s going to know about my papa and his legacy. It’s going to live on forever.”

Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.