Sports

Tahitians Win Na Wahine O Ke Kai

Thursday, October 2nd, 2025

Tahitians Win Na Wahine O Ke Kai

By Léo Azambuja

In 1975, two Hawaiian crews of 18 women each made history by completing the first unofficial crossing of the Kaiwi Channel during the traditional Molokai-to-Oahu canoe race. They proved that women could also participate in the race that had been an all-male affair since its first year in 1952. 

Exactly 50 years later, the 10-woman crew of the As Ihilani Vaʻa also made history last Sunday by being the first Tahitian team to win the Na Wahine O Ke Kai, a 41.9-mile race that had been dominated by Hawaiian teams for the last 20 years. They took first place overall and first place in the Glass: Women Open division.…

Sir Micky is September’s Ace Winner

Thursday, September 25th, 2025

Sir Micky is September’s Ace Winner

Community Contributed`

By Rick Schonely

Micky Prewitt is the September Ace winner for the Hui O Kukui Golf Club. 

Prewitt, affectionately known as Sir Micky and one of Molokai’s most famous senior golfers, shot 49-54 for a gross total of 103. With his 36 handicap, his next 67 got him into a playoff with Rodney Reyes and Jeff Egusa, who both also shot 67 net. 

Prewitt won on the first playoff hole and got the victory for King & Country. Congratulations Sir Micky!

The Hui O Kukui Golf Club would like to thank the staff and management of iconic Ironwood Hills golf course for perpetuating the game of golf on Molokai. …

Badges and Buckets for Special Olympics Athletes

Sunday, September 21st, 2025

Badges and Buckets for Special Olympics Athletes

By Léo Azambuja

Several volunteers, sports coaches, athletes and off-duty law enforcement officers spent three days last week in front of Molokai Public Library battling the Kaunakakai heat while raising awareness and funds for the island’s Special Olympics athletes.

“This is a great event. This is a great partnership between the (police) department and Special Olympics,” Maui County communications police officer Emmanuel Bello said of Badges and Buckets, the largest annual grassroots fundraiser event held by police departments across Hawaii. 

“We are offering $15 donations,” he said on the last day of the fundraiser. “With a $15 donation, you can choose from either a hat or a shirt.”…

Schonely is August Ace Winner

Thursday, August 21st, 2025

Schonely is August Ace Winner

Community Contributed

by Christine Kage

Rick Schonely is the August Ace winner for the Hui O Kukui Golf Club.
When he’s not golfing, Uncle Rick, aka Papa Ricky to his 13 moʻopuna, might be subbing at Molokai High School where he’s entering year 41, playing music for any number of local celebrations, or covering Farmers athletics.
The Molokai Sports Report can be seen weekly on Akakū TV and Facebook. Rick shot 43-39 for a gross total of 82; with his 15 handicap, his 67-net got him the victory. Congratulations, Uncle Rick!
The Hui O Kukui Golf Club would like to thank the staff, management and volunteers of iconic Ironwood Hills golf course for perpetuating the game of golf on Molokai.…

Molokai Boy Joining Alabama’s Crimson Tide

Thursday, August 7th, 2025

Molokai Boy Joining Alabama’s Crimson Tide

By Léo Azambuja
A Molokai boy from Hoʻolehua is a living proof that dreams come true. Following a well-executed plan to become a better football player and gain exposure among scouts, he has just committed to one of the most successful and storied football programs in college history.
The University of Alabama announced in late July that 18-year-old Tayden-Evan Kaawa — a six-foot, five-inch quarterback — will be joining the Crimson Tide next season on a full scholarship. They compete in the NCAA Division I in the Southeastern Conference.
“The new coaching staff (at Alabama) is all new,” Kaawa said. “I was super close to them when they were in Washington, so it worked out well when they moved to Alabama.…

Poi Poundahs Place 3rd in National Soccer Tournament

Thursday, August 7th, 2025

Poi Poundahs Place 3rd in National Soccer Tournament

By Léo Azambuja
In most fairy tales, girls wear princess dresses or crystal shoes. They may dance or sing, and wear a crown. But in this Molokai fairy tale, the girls wear soccer jerseys and cleats. They dribble, kick and scream. The have medals.
They are the Molokai Poi Poundahs, a soccer team of girls who aren’t 14 years old yet, and placed third in the AYSO National Games 2025 in California in July.
“This was the first time that the girls (from) Molokai ever went out of state to play soccer,” assistant coach Naomi Bicoy said.
Being on national stage meant a lot for the Poi Poundahs players, she said.…

2025 Molokai Holokai

Thursday, July 24th, 2025

2025 Molokai Holokai

By Léo Azambuja

Better safety, improved organization and pristine ocean conditions marked the Maui to Molokai Challenge, the opening event of the 2025 Molokai Holokai Ho‘olaule‘a — two days of ocean races, community gathering, cultural workshops and environmental education.

“Our big focus was safety this year. We had everyone with (GPS) trackers, and we had a really good system setup,” Clare Albino said. “The conditions were really nice; it was beautiful out there on the ocean.”

The 27-mile race over the Pailolo Channel — considered the windiest of all Hawaiian channels — kicked off on Maui’s Fleming Beach July 18 at 9:30 a.m.,…

Spencer is the July Ace Winner

Thursday, July 17th, 2025

Spencer is the July Ace Winner

By Rick Schonely / Community contributed

David Spencer is the July Ace winner for the Hui O Kukui Golf Club. 

Spencer, an avid golfer for many years on Molokai and recently retired Molokai High School security guard and all-around great guy, shot 43-48 for a gross total of 91 and with his 25 handicap his 66-net got him the victory. Congratulations, Big Dave.

The Hui O Kukui Golf Club would like to thank the staff and management of iconic Ironwood Hills golf course for perpetuating the game of golf on Molokai.…

Girls Soccer Team Brings Home Silver

Thursday, July 3rd, 2025

Girls Soccer Team Brings Home Silver

By Léo Azambuja
A Molokai girls soccer team had some extra weight in their luggage when they returned from a tournament in Hilo, Big Island last month. After clinching a spot in the finals, the team came home with silver medals following a close game against a tough Californian team.
“It was a good, close game. We lost two to zero. The girls played really well,” Molokai Poi Pounders head coach Kathy Puhi said of the finals game against Menifee — a California team — at the Volcano International Soccer Tournament June 20-22.
The Poi Pounders is an AYSO recreational-level soccer team made of 12-to-13-year-old girls.…

Free Football Camp Gives Back to Molokai

Thursday, July 3rd, 2025

Free Football Camp Gives Back to Molokai

By Léo Azambuja
Former NFL quarterback Peyton Manning — one of the greatest football players ever — once said “the most valuable player is the one who makes the most players valuable.” The Akana family does just that: they have been hosting a free kids football clinic on Molokai for the last five years to give back to their community.
“We were raised here on Molokai. There are 10 siblings, eight boys, two girls. We have all since moved,” Ry Akana said of him and his siblings, who now live on the Mainland and in Honolulu. “But Molokai has done so much for us on the athletic front that we felt like we needed to give back.”…