Sports

Runners Reach Season’s Finish Line

Wednesday, November 4th, 2015

Runners Reach Season’s Finish Line

After posting their best times of the season at the league championships, Molokai cross country runners Keao Ross and Juaquin “Jake” Samaniego represented Molokai at the state championships last Saturday.

On Seabury Hall’s three-mile course, Ross finished 78th out of 200 in 18 minutes and 28.5 seconds, while his teammate Samaniego came in 105th, posting a time of 18:43.5, as reported by The Maui News.

Despite only traveling to a handful of meets this season due to limited funding, Molokai’s boys had strong showings when they did get the chance to compete. The Farmers finished in the top four of Division II teams at every meet they attended.…

Farmers Shoot Season Highs at States

Wednesday, November 4th, 2015

Molokai’s boys all bested their league championship scores and shooter Keaa Davis reached her goal of competing at the state level at last week’s air riflery championships on Maui.

Out of 50 boys shooters, Molokai’s Josh Cabreros tied for 22nd with 512 points, Jershon Kaalekahi tied for 29th with 506 points and Cody Nip was 40th with 492 points. Davis finished 49th out of 60 girls shooters with 467 points.

“The main person who wanted to improve his score was Josh,” said air riflery coach Chinky Hubbard, after Cabreros was dissatisfied with his league score. “… [The boys] were super happy and stoked.…

Volleyball Closes Season in No. 3

Wednesday, October 28th, 2015

It was a long week of volleyball for the Molokai High School Lady Farmers at the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) Division II Championships at Seabury last week. On Tuesday, Molokai claimed the No. 3 seed for the MIL D-II tournament by beating Lanai 25-22, 25-16, 25-12. The Farmers and Pine Lasses both finished the regular season at 5-5, forcing a playoff to determine third and fourth place in the standings.

The rest of the tournament brought mixed success for the Farmers.

On Wednesday in the quarterfinal, Molokai defeated Maui Prep 25-7, 25-8, 22-25, 25-8 to advance to the semifinals against Hana.…

The Molokai Hoe: Battle of the Paddle

Wednesday, October 21st, 2015

The Molokai Hoe: Battle of the PaddleInside a Molokai crew’s voyage across the Kaiwi Channel

6:05 a.m.

On the morning of the 63rd Molokai Hoe, Bozo Dudoit scans the water for clues. The sluggish clouds and sloppy ocean are less than promising to the veteran paddling coach and steersman.

“We were hoping for some bumps and I think it’s gonna be flat today,” says Dudoit. “But we’re gonna go out there and give it our best shot. We’re ready for anything.”

In two hours, Dudoit and eight other Molokai men will paddle a fiberglass outrigger canoe 42 miles across the Ka`iwi Channel to Oahu. The legendary race, first won by a Molokai crew in 1952, is the longest and most grueling of the season.…

Kaalekahi Shoots Second, Davis Third at MILs

Wednesday, October 21st, 2015

Kaalekahi Shoots Second, Davis Third at MILs

Molokai High School’s Keaa Davis saved her best for last.

At last Saturday’s Maui Interscholastic League air riflery championships, the senior shooter finished in a season-high third place with 500 points in the girls’ individual competition. Teammate Jershon Kaalekahi placed second with 504 points for the boys, as reported by The Maui News.

Cody Nip joined Kaalekahi on the medal podium in third place. Nip posted 501 points and the second highest prone total at 188. Josh Cabreros’ 477 points tied him for ninth place, while Edwin Greenleaf came in 46th with 353 points to put the team in fourth overall.…

Upcoming 100K Bike Race in January

Friday, October 9th, 2015

Upcoming 100K Bike Race in January

Kualapu`u School News Release

Kualapu`u School invites all local cycling enthusiasts to start getting ready for this year’s Molokai Metric events. Two races are planned this year. In addition to the 100K ride, race organizers are staging an Uphill Prelim on the Kalae Highway. The Uphill Prelim is five miles in length climbing from Holomua Junction to Kalaupapa Lookout. This event opens the Martin Luther King weekend of activities. The Uphill race begins Saturday, Jan. 16 at 4 p.m. from the Surf Shack. Afterwards, riders will be taking a group ride to preview a 12-mile section of the following day’s Molokai Metric course.…

Action-Packed Weekend for Farmers

Wednesday, October 7th, 2015

Molokai’s volleyball team traveled to Seabury last Friday with a crowd of enthusiastic supporters, who watched their team put on a strong defensive showing before the Farmers fell to the league leaders.

“Basically our defense was on it,” said Head Coach Mahea Rawlins. “Our back row was digging balls and at least making it playable, being on their toes and ready to dig anything.”

However, Rawlins credited the “well-rounded” Spartans, who beat Molokai 25-17, 25-18, 25-12 on Friday and 25-18, 25-9, 25-17 on Saturday.

After Friday’s loss, Rawlins said they tried to switch things up and place Molokai’s Sehja Pedro across from Seabury’s best outside hitter, which helped in several instances.…

Kulaia: One Community, One Wa`a

Wednesday, September 30th, 2015

Kulaia: One Community, One Wa`a

Last Friday on the closed main street of Kaunakakai town, children spoke Hawaiian fluidly. Community members pounded poi while shop owners told ancestral stories through their handmade crafts. Hawaiian culture was alive and well at Molokai’s second annual Kulaia, a celebration whose purpose was reconnecting with traditions of the past.

“I like the idea that it’s a historical event that we’re trying to revive in our own Molokai way,” said resident Pulama Lima. “… I think it brings our community together in a way that people look at us as this model of aloha and this model of why we still continue this life of subsistence.”…

Farmers Win 87-14, Stay Undefeated

Wednesday, September 30th, 2015

Farmers Win 87-14, Stay Undefeated

The Molokai Farmers football team made a long road trip to Hana over the weekend and came out with an impressive 87-14 win. Molokai is now 3-0 in league play and 4-0 overall.

The Farmers’ offense and defense was firing on all cylinders in the first half and they went on to a convincing victory. The second and third string offense and defense all got quality reps during the second half. The halftime score was 60-7.

“Our team came to play tonight and they did well and I am very proud of them,” said Head Coach Mike Kahale. “… Our defensive coordinator and all of the coaches on that side called a great game.…

Weather Cancels Women’s Channel Race

Sunday, September 27th, 2015

Weather Cancels Women’s Channel Race

For the first time in 35 years, the annual Na Wahine O Ke Kai women’s channel race between Molokai and Oahu was cancelled the evening before the race due to weather concerns. With a small craft advisory calling for swells up to 12 feet and a wind advisory predicting 35 mph winds with gusts up to 50 mph on Sunday, race officials made a difficult decision to call off the 41-mile crossing of the unpredictable Ka`iwi Channel. It will not be rescheduled this year.

“It is with heavy hearts that the Na Wahine O Ke Kai Committee announced the cancellation of the 2015 race,” announced the race’s Facebook page.  …