Sports

Judo Finds Success in First Season

Wednesday, May 6th, 2015

Judo Finds Success in First Season

For a sport whose name means “the gentle way,” the energetic shouts accompanied by the sounds of bodies slamming on the mat may seem anything but. However, when executed correctly, the sport of judo is a fiercely fluid set of moves that are far less painful than they appear.

“The object of judo is to throw the person on their back perfectly,” said Molokai Coach Eli “Lihau” Maioho. “When that’s done, it doesn’t hurt at all.”

Molokai athletes are being schooled in the art of throwing hard and falling soft in the high school’s first-ever judo season. In only a few meets, athletes have gone from newcomers to top seeds in their weight classes.…

Two Sports States-Bound

Wednesday, May 6th, 2015

Four Molokai sports teams competed in last week’s jam-packed Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) championships. While volleyball and track wrapped up their seasons, the softball and judo teams will continue on to the state tournaments.

Volleyball

The boys ended their season last Thursday on Lanai at the Division II Tournament with a thrilling five-set loss to Hana. The Dragons (12-2) outlasted the Farmers (3-9) 25-19, 18-25, 26-28, 25-20, 15-7, and later qualified for the state tournament.

The Farmers played well, and Coach Hale Domingo was happy with the season.

“Words can’t explain how proud I am of these boys,” he said. “I try to teach them everything I know about volleyball, but in the end they teach me more than I ever known.”…

Speed and Quickness Clinic

Friday, May 1st, 2015

Speed and Quickness Clinic

Na Pu`uwai News Release

On April 11, the County of Maui Parks and Recreation, with the help of Na Pu’uwai, put together Molokai’s first youth sports clinic.  This clinic was provided for the children of Molokai to teach them athletic drills and to help them get faster, stronger and more competitive. Former Olympic weightlifter Chad Ikei and former NFL defensive back Rich Miano, who run Speed and Quickness Clinics throughout the state, came to coach kids.…

Wild West End: Molokai Ranch Heritage Rodeo

Wednesday, April 29th, 2015

Wild West End: Molokai Ranch Heritage Rodeo

As the bullriders packed up their protective gear and the last riders led their horses out of the Molokai Ranch arena, cowboy Maka Augustiro beamed with quiet pride. His 14-year-old son Chevy had just braved several long seconds in the ring with a madly bucking bull and won uproarious cheers from the crowd for his efforts. For the Augustiros and many other Molokai families, last Saturday’s Molokai Ranch Heritage Rodeo was a chance to admire each other’s grit and talent – and sometimes compete against each other.

“It gives us a time to come and have what we call a playdate for us, a time where we can make a sport of the work we do on the ranch,” said long-time paniolo Jimmy Duvauchelle.…

Baseball Wraps Up MIL Title

Wednesday, April 29th, 2015

Baseball Wraps Up MIL Title

The Molokai High School boys’ baseball team will be headed to the state tournament for the third year in a row after winning the MIL Division II Baseball Championship this past weekend at Maehara Stadium on Maui.

The Farmers outscored their opponents in the tournament 26- 1 and had solid pitching from their two aces, Nohi Meyer and Hanale Dudoit Enos.

On Thursday, they defeated Lanai 15-0 in three innings, and on Friday they defeated St. Anthony 11- 1 in five innings. Ena Victorino had a home run and a triple in the game against the Trojans, and all of his teammates also contributed to the successful weekend.…

Softball Sweeps First Homestand 

Wednesday, April 29th, 2015

Softball Sweeps First Homestand 

The Molokai girls’ softball field may be brand new, but the path to home plate is already well worn by the cleats of the high-scoring Farmers.

Last weekend in Ho`olehua, the Lady Farmers (7-1) swept the St. Anthony Trojans (1-7) in a pair of three-inning wins, 16-1 on Friday and 23-1 on Saturday.

It was the Farmers’ first and final series on their new home field, which was officially blessed on March 20.

“I’ve practiced here before, but this year, having a game and having everyone from the community and our parents coming to watch us, it just felt really exciting, and I felt really honored,” said senior Kelsie Espiritu-Tanabe.…

Tennis Teams Stay Hopeful

Wednesday, April 29th, 2015

Molokai’s tennis teams exited early in last week’s Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) championships, but not before giving opposing schools a glimpse of what’s to come from this young, growing program.

“Our team is mostly comprised of sophomores and first year players,” said Luke Kikukawa, the team’s only senior. “… We really were starting to become a much bigger figure in MILs. Coaches are becoming more aware of us.”

Multiple underclassmen contributed to the Farmers’ five first-round victories, while sophomores Kaiea Dowling and Preston Pascua-Kaho`okano were named the sixth seed in the boys’ doubles competition and received a first-round bye.

Freshmen doubles teams Cassandra Ragonton and Romelyn Ragonton, and Michelle McGuire and Althea Cariaga got past the first round, as did junior duo Kea`a Davis and Oceana Madani.…

David Rapanot on the Road to His Dreams

Wednesday, April 22nd, 2015

David Rapanot on the Road to His Dreams

Molokai High School 2014 graduate David Rapanot is in his first year of college at Feather River College in California. As a freshman, he is the starting shortstop for the Golden Eagles and is having a fantastic season while doing a great job stepping up to the next level.  Born and raised on Molokai by parents Scott and Kim Rapanot, he has played baseball since he could walk with the guidance of his father as his coach. He is now making his family and all of Molokai proud.

Feather River College is located in Quincy, Calif., a little town north of Sacramento across the border from Reno, Nev.…

Summer PALS Registration

Friday, April 17th, 2015

County of Maui News Release

The County of Maui Dept. of Parks and Recreation (DPR) announced registration dates for the 2015 Summer Play and Learn Sessions (PALS) program.

Children should be registered in the district in which they will be attending PALS, and payments must be made on registration day. Registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis; if all the available spaces for a site have been filled before the allotted time is listed, staff will post signs about the site’s closure.

On Molokai, registration will be held on the first two days of the program, June 9 and 10.…

Little League Season Opener

Thursday, April 16th, 2015

Little League Season Opener

The Molokai Little League Minors division games opened on April 4. With three teams competing this year, the season will run until May 22.

The league is looking for more volunteers and kids for 11/12 Major League. Please contact Jonna “Minky” Hoopai Molokai Little League President at molokailittleleague@gmail.com.

Play Ball!…