Alan Inaba went to the Adidas outlet in Waikele last weekend and bought 24 pairs of shoes in a buy-one-get-the-second-pair-half-off sale. He still needs more shoes.

Inaba coaches cross-country at Dole Middle School in Kalihi.

When he first started coaching 10 years ago, only 10 kids showed up to run. This year, 74 students signed up. They come every day after school and after study hall and run 2 miles down to Farrington High School and back or through Kalihi Valley. The kids flap along in whatever footwear they own.

"I would say maybe 10 of them actually have shoes made for running," Inaba said. The rest wear heavy shoes designed for basketball or skateboarding, clunky shoes that have no arch support. Some run in slippers. Last week, five girls showed up in sandals.

Inaba has given three pairs of his own shoes to students and has taken up a collection of used shoes among Dole teachers.

"I just don't want anybody to get injured," Inaba said.

More than 70 percent of the Dole student body qualifies for free or reduced lunch. It's not a community where parents can easily afford new shoes. The money for the on-sale adidas came from a donation from the Dole Ohana. Often, Inaba and co-coach Barry Tanouye throw in their own money for snacks, socks, whatever.

The team got uniforms two years ago. It was the first time they all matched. At the end of the year, the kids have to give back the clothes, scrubbed and deodorized. This year, it's hand-me-downs again. "Lots of fruit punch stains," Inaba says. But they're happy they all can dress alike at meets.

To save money, the team shares a bus with Kawananakoa and Jarrett schools to get to Saturday meets. To ensure that all the runners are on time for the early-morning bus, Inaba hosts a sleepover the night before on the floor of the school library. In the morning, he buys the kids breakfast. He tries to talk them into the Dollar Menu at McDonald's, but they tell him, "Those McGriddles look good" and out comes his wallet.

Inaba himself is not a runner. His sport is baseball. He jokes that he read the "Complete Idiot's Guide to Running" and the "Cross Country Guide for Dummies" to learn about the sport. And then he pulls one of the books from his shelf to show he wasn't kidding.

"In the books," he says, "they all talk about the importance of proper shoes."

Anyone who would like to donate gently used shoes to Dole Cross Country can drop them off at the school. Monetary donations (checks made out to Dole Middle School) would also be accepted and greatly appreciated. Dole Middle School is at 1803 Kam IV Road, Honolulu, HI 96819 (phone 832-3340).

Lee Cataluna's column runs Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Reach her at 535-8172 or lcataluna@honoluluadvertiser.com.