Sports

Pickleball ‘Caught in a Pickle’

Wednesday, April 24th, 2024

Pickleball ‘Caught in a Pickle’

The $1.69 billion 2025 Maui County budget includes funding for a variety of Molokai projects — from suicide prevention programs, to the Molokai Hunting Club, to the MEO bus. There was, however, one project not in the county plan that raised more concerns than any other: pickleball.

Molokai’s pickleball participation has exploded in the past six months, with participants estimating that up to 300 Molokai residents now play the sport. The quick-growing sport has gained popularity with Molokai kupuna in particular, who use the low-impact game to exercise and socialize.

“I’m going to be 77 and I’m still playing,” said Clay Ching.…

April Golf Ace

Wednesday, April 17th, 2024

April Golf Ace

Community Contributed
By Rick Schonely

Jeff Egusa, iconic Molokai businessman and professional golfer, is the April Ace Winner for the Hui O Kukui Golf Club. Egusa, an Ironwood Hills legend and one of the Susumu Brothers with his good buddy Dana Takashima, shot 38-40 for a gross total of 78 and with his 12 handicap his 66 net got him the Victory. Congratulations Jeff!

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.…

Baseball Clinches Regular Season Crown

Wednesday, April 17th, 2024

Baseball Clinches Regular Season Crown

Farmers baseball secured the regular season championship and the number one seed for the Maui Interscholastic League Division II tournament with wins at Seabury Hall this past weekend. Friday’s victory came in a 10-0 shutout. David Lima-English shined as the starting pitcher, tossing seven strikeouts in the win. The Farmers’ offense was bolstered by strong hitting from the likes of Kian Toledo, who ripped a two-run triple, and Kobra Cariaga-Abafo.

Saturday’s game was much closer, but the Farmers still came away with the win in a narrow 3-2 victory. Despite being out-hit, the Farmers held on to their perfect record. Pitcher Kobra Cariaga-Abafo threw four shut-out innings and came away with the pitching win.…

Softball Senior Day, Volleyball Clinches Title

Thursday, April 11th, 2024

Softball Senior Day, Volleyball Clinches Title

The Lady Farmers took on Hana in two games this past weekend. As the last home games of the season, the Molokai seniors were celebrated after Saturday’s game. On Friday, the Farmers’ offense exploded for a 25-10 win. Natalia Pastrana hit a grand slam, with Pi’i Victorino launching two home runs and earning the win for the pitching staff.

Saturday’s game featured more of the same, with the Farmers securing a 23-7 win over Hana and a 3-1 division record. Victorino smashed two more home runs in the emphatic victory.

On March 29 and 30, the Farmers boys volleyball team defeated Seabury Hall 3-0 and 3-2, capping off a perfect 6-0 record for the season.…

Victory for Youth Soccer

Friday, April 5th, 2024

Victory for Youth Soccer

Molokai keiki athletes can now compete off-island in soccer thanks to the establishment of travel teams for both girls and boys.

On March 23-24, Molokai girls competed in the 12 and under Kirk Banks Tournament on Oahu. The team, coached by Kathy Puhi and Naomi Bicoy, dominated their opposition, winning 7-0, 6-0, 6-0 in tournament play against West Oahu and Pearl City. They went on to win the championship game by a score of 4-1. Kaiolohia Puhi, Qarah Torres Umi Napoleon and Zoey Place led the offensive charge for the girls with multiple goals over the four games.

The other Molokai travel team, a new 12 and under team made up of boys and girls coached by Sam Westcoat, Andrew Valyo and Ryan Link, also had a chance to show their talents off-island.…

Wrestling Competes at State Championship

Thursday, March 7th, 2024

Wrestling Competes at State Championship

In a thrilling showcase of talent and determination, the 2024 State Wrestling Championships unfolded with gripping matches and standout performances. Head Coach Randy Manley offered a comprehensive recap of the event, highlighting the triumphs and challenges faced by the team.

“We had a promising start at States, with four wrestlers reaching the consolation quarterfinals on day two, and two wrestlers advancing to the championship semifinals,” said Manely. “However, day two proved to be more challenging, resulting in the early elimination of four wrestlers. In the end, we celebrated two wrestlers making it to the podium: Jona Dudoit (4-2) securing fourth place and Ohia Borden-Phillips (4-2) earning fifth place.”…

Farmers Wrestling, Girls Basketball in Action

Thursday, February 15th, 2024

Farmers Wrestling, Girls Basketball in Action

This past weekend, the Molokai High School (MHS) Wrestling Team and Coach Randy Manley headed over to Lahainaluna High School for the MIL championship tournament. The Farmers secured multiple podium finishes, with Kayce Dudoit and Angel Kealoha taking first place in their weight classes. Ultimately, eight girls and two boys from MHS qualified for the state tournament. For the girls, Kayce Dudoit, Angel Kealoha, Masin Borden-Phillips, Tiale Tancayo, Skye Caparida, Kendra Kaulili, Kindy Sproat and Stephanie Gandeza earned state tournament berths. For the boys, Jona Dudoit and Reyn Raguidin will be heading to states as well. The state tournament will be held Feb.…

Boys Soccer Sweeps Kihei, Girls Basketball Headed to States

Thursday, February 1st, 2024

Boys Soccer Sweeps Kihei, Girls Basketball Headed to States

With their first season in over 20 years coming to a close, the Molokai High School (MHS) Boys Soccer team took on Kihei Charter. The re-match also coincided with senior day for the boys.

In Friday’s game, Matthew McGuire found the back of the net early, notching a 1-0 lead for Molokai, which they would hold through the second half, securing the first win of the season. The victory was the first for the MHS Boys Soccer team since 1999, according to reports on social media.

In Saturday’s game. Molokai emerged victorious with a final score of 4-1. The game’s scoring action began in the first half with Braeden Cabael-Kaahanui finding the net, giving Molokai an early lead of 1-0.…

Basketball Continues Dominance

Thursday, January 18th, 2024

Basketball Continues Dominance

Molokai Boys Basketball continued its dominant season with wins against the Lanai Pine Lads. The Farmers defeated Lanai 72-39 on Friday, and 60-40 on Saturday. Top performances came from Jericho Adolpho who dropped 20 points in Friday’s game, and Heath Lopez and Kaizen Umi-Torres-Napolean who put up 18 and 17 points respectively. These victories propelled the Molokai boys to a league best 8-0 record, with convincing wins against Kihei the previous weekend at the Barn.

 

Girls Basketball came into the weekend 6-0 before falling to the Lanai Pine Lasses on Friday. Leila Hooper-Phifer and Kaia Yamashita led the scoring for the Farmers in the 31-42 loss.…

MHS Football Transitions to 11-Player

Thursday, January 4th, 2024

MHS Football Transitions to 11-Player

Molokai High School’s football team is making a historic shift from the eight-player to the 11-player level in the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) for the 2024 season. The announcement came during an MIL athletic directors meeting, where Coach Mike Kahale and Athletic Director Lee DeRouin shared their excitement with The Maui News.

DeRouin expressed their enthusiasm, saying, “today is a special day for Molokai; we’re thrilled to play 11-man football in 2024.”

With Molokai joining Kamehameha Maui and King Kekaulike in MIL Division II 11-player ranks, the league now has a total of six teams. Coach Kahale emphasized their long-term goal, stating, “we’re super excited for this opportunity.…