Sports

I Mua Makahiki

Wednesday, January 29th, 2014

I Mua Makahiki

Thousands gathered from Molokai and around the state to perpetuate the traditional season of peace and harvest and test their strength and athletic prowess in Ka Molokai Makahiki. In its 33rd year of revival after observation of the ancient season had dwindled around Hawaii, the three-day event drew record numbers to celebrate both the meaning behind the event and its friendly competition.

“People say, ‘if you want to see the original, go to Molokai,’” said Walter Ritte, one of the event’s organizers. “We’ve kept it low key so it has the cultural essence to it… the feel and spirit of Makahiki is strongest here.”…

Wrestling Round Robin

Monday, January 27th, 2014

Wrestling Round Robin

Molokai wrestlers rallied up schools for a round robin match last weekend. With home advantage and halfway into their season, the Farmers played other Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) schools including Maui, Lahainaluna, Kamehameha School-Maui, claiming six individual victories over the weekend.

“I think the weekend went well,” said coach Randy Manley. “We had most of the major schools from MILs…and our kids did fairly well.”

Varsity boys wrestlers Michael Corpuz, Kairos Torres-Umi and Iokepa Albino earned first place in their weight class, while Esther Torres-Umi, Barbara Ludgate and Poliahuawaiau Ranis won first for the girls. Second place wrestlers included Alika Kaahanui, Karley Kaulili, Sierra Pico, Rizpah Torres-Umi, and Jasmyn Davis.…

Girls Basketball MIL Champs

Monday, January 27th, 2014

The Lady Farmers had only one loss under their belt against Lanai when they entering the Maui Interscholastic League Division II Basketball Championship this year. But that didn’t phase them last weekend as they came away with the championship title, sweeping Lanai 65-37. Top scorers were Tiara English with 20 points, Illana Meyer with 17, and Lehiwa Pedro and Hepuakea Falealii both scoring 8.

“I thought the girls made a huge leap during practice and prepared well for the MILs,” said coach Lee DeRouin. “We put a great deal of pressure with our guards did a great job defensively.”

DeRouin said the girls basketball program has had a history of talented athletes.…

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.…