Sports

Documentary Featuring Challenges of Molokai High Athletics Airs This Weekend

Friday, January 24th, 2014

Downtown Athletic Club Hawaii News Release

“Going the Distance: The Journey of Molokai and Lanai High Sports,” a new documentary chronicling the unique, harsh challenges faced by students representing Molokai High School or Lanai High School in interscholastic athletics, airs on Saturday, Jan. 25 at 6 p.m. on KGMB and Sunday, Jan. 26 at 6:30 p.m. on KHNL. “Going the Distance” was filmed and produced by aio Hawaii and the Downtown Athletic Club Hawaii (DACH) with the broadcast support of Hawaii News Now.

Unlike other high school teams nationwide that simply board buses, every away game or tournament for Molokai and Lanai student-athletes means a bumpy ferry or small plane ride, often departing in the early morning, twelve hours or more before game time.…

Blessing of a New Canoe

Friday, January 24th, 2014

Blessing of a New Canoe

Members and friends of Molokai’s Wa`akapaemua Canoe Club gathered last week to celebrate the blessing of a new canoe. Made by Tiger Canoes on Hawaii Island, the six-man vessel is designed for open ocean and built to be light and maneuverable, representing the latest advances in the traditional sport. Wa`akapaemua members say the canoe is an exciting step forward for the club, whose paddlers have a history of top finishes in state and channel races.

The canoe was christened “`Ukiukiu,” a name that refers to one of Molokai’s winds.

“Since this was a racing canoe, an appropriate name should reflect movement, speed, or reflect winning or something of that nature,” said club board members, via email, referring to consultations with fluent Hawaiian language speakers and cultural practitioners about the canoe’s name.…

Molokai Athletes Nominated as National All-Stars

Thursday, January 23rd, 2014

Nearly 1,000 of the nation’s top high school boys and girls basketball athletes are nominated each year to play on one of two all-star teams for the McDonald’s All American Games. This year, two players in state were nominated for the event that in the past has included basketball legends like Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant and Kevin Garnett. Those two players are both Molokai High School (MHS) students — seniors Shaniah Lopez and David Rapanot will have a chance to make the final roster.

“We are delighted that Shaniah and David were chosen to continue in the selection process to compete in the McDonald’s All American Games,” said Erlinda Rosario, a McDonald’s Restaurants of Hawaii owner and operator, in a press release.…

Molokai Athletics Welcomes New Assistant Director

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

With high goals set to bring more sports tournaments, more games and to build the athletics program on the island, the Molokai High School Athletics Department welcomes new Assistant Athletic Director, Joannie Espiritu-Tanabe, to the team.

“Having an assistant alleviates a lot of stress for me,” said Hoku Haliniak, MHS athletics director. “[Espiritu-Tanabe] is very organized and can step in whenever I need help.”

She said much of Espiritu-Tanabe’s job involves helping her at sporting events, taking care of traveling arrangements, scheduling, and making sure coaches have correct paperwork and students are eligible to play. That will leave Haliniak more time to bring more sporting events to the island, she said.…

Girls Basketball Enjoy Undefeated Season

Sunday, January 5th, 2014

Girls Basketball Enjoy Undefeated Season

With an undefeated Maui interscholastic League (MIL)Division II record this season, the Lady Farmers took to their home court last weekend, looking to add another win under their belts against Hana. Today, they sit at a record of 8-0 after their final scores of 46-11 Friday night and 37-22 on Saturday.

“They are the only [Division II] team in the MILs [this year] with that record,” said Hoku Haliniak, Molokai High School (MHS) Athletic Director.

Girls basketball coach Lee DeRouin said Molokai has a history of strong athletes and a good basketball program and praised the team’s defensive skill—getting turnovers, transition points and easy baskets.…

Boys Basketball: Molokai vs. Seabury

Sunday, January 5th, 2014

Boys Basketball: Molokai vs. Seabury

Molokai High School Sophomore Kaimana Kahale moves the ball down the court during the season opener of boys basketball last Friday night against Seabury. The Barn shook as the crowd roared and stamped with excitement during their first game of two last weekend.

The Farmers came close to take to take the lead, however Seabury pulled ahead at the final buzzer with a score of 59 to 51. High scorers of the night were sophomore Jordan Boswell making 8 points and senior David Rapanot sinking 23.

“We did well, but there are a lot of things we need to improve on…[like] passing,” said Molokai coach Carl Adolpho Jr.…

Keeping the Lead

Sunday, January 5th, 2014

Keeping the Lead

MHS Girls Paddle First in MIL Race

The Molokai girls varsity paddlers took their first Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) victory of the season last month. The crew  — consisted of Kelsie Tanabe-Espiritu, Heather Place, Oli’i Hernandez, Waipuna Paleka, Chelsea Pua’a and Hi’ilani Kanuha –who crossed the half-mile finish line at 4 minutes, 44.25 seconds. King Kekaulike placed a close second at 4:45.79 and Seabury third at 4:50.38.

“We’re standing a hair ahead everyone [in the league],” said coach Tania Kaholoa`a. “These girls have been together for a few years…now is their time.”

Molokai placed second in their first race of the season earlier in December at Ka Lae Pohaku.…

Molokai Swim Meet

Monday, December 16th, 2013

Community Contributed

By Malcolm Cooper, Maui Dolphins coach

Over the past year, Maui/Molokai Dolphins with the support of Maui County Aquatics and Molokai Parks, have been building a swim team at Cooke Memorial Pool as part of the Maui Age Group Swim Association.  On Tuesday, Nov. 26, we were able to hold a scrimmage-like swim “meet” at Cooke Memorial Pool during our normal 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. practice time, hosting Aka`ula School.

Jess Ford of Molokai’s Dolphins and Vicky Newberry of Aka`ula have been looking forward to doing something like this for quite some time.  Thirty swimmers from Aka`ula and 13 swimmers from Maui Dolphins (MDSC’s high school age swimmers helped out at the meet) participated in 30 events.…

Warming up With Winter Sports Continued

Monday, December 16th, 2013

Boys and Girls Basketball

Farmer basketball is back for another season, taking the new year as a shot to improve from the last. At the starting tip off, boys and girls coaches said learning from mistakes, picking up the pace and keeping heads held high along with team focus and determination is key even after the final buzzer sounds. Hiring football muga sports surfaces will contribute to providing an optimal playing ground for the team to exhibit their skills and teamwork.

Boys Basketball
Carl Adolpho Jr. is beginning his first year as head coach for the boys side, however this isn’t his first time on the court.…

Warming Up with Winter Athletics

Tuesday, December 10th, 2013

The end of the year brings a new winter athletic season. Though most students are getting ready to take a holiday break, farmer athletes are fired up, training hard and ringing in the New Year with new coaches, new competition and new goals for state championships.

Boys and Girls Swimming
For MHS swimming, some athletes have been training all year through the Molokai Chapter of Maui Dolphins Swim Club (MDSC) — a swimming program for all ages that began in August — prepping for the season.

“Every year we’ve gotten a little bit better and our team has grown,” said fourth year coach Jessie Ford.…