Sports

Ropin’ in the Rain

Thursday, November 14th, 2013

Ropin’ in the Rain

Competition got a little dirty during the first day of the eighth annual Molokai Stampede at Kapualei Ranch. Squinting through pouring rain, gripping slippery ropes as their horses sent mud flying across the arena, cowboys toughed it out through stormy conditions last Saturday. Eighty-five teams were narrowed down to eight by the final round of stiff competition in the # 11 team roping events, while the afternoon’s keiki and barrel events were postponed from the downpour.

“Rain changes strategy and game plan — anyone can rope under perfect conditions, but who can rope [when it’s not perfect]?” said emcee Zhantell Dudoit during the event.…

Diving to the Depths of Safety

Thursday, November 14th, 2013

Diving to the Depths of Safety

Martin Stepanek can dive more than 400 feet on a single breath of air. He’s set 13 freediving world records and knows more than anyone how dangerous the sport can be. But with the proper safety education, he said freediving has minimal risks — and with the goal of sharing that knowledge, he’s become a pioneer in modern freediving education. Last month, Stepanek visited Molokai to offer a series of safety courses free of charge to local divers.

Having been raised in Czech Republic, a country without ocean access, didn’t dampen Stepanek’s passion for diving, and when he was 20 years old, he relocated to the U.S.…

Girls Volleyball

Thursday, November 7th, 2013

Strong Athletes, Strong Students

The Molokai High School (MHS) girls volleyball season came to an end after this year’s Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) Championships on Oct. 16. Looking back, the Farmers consider it a hard-fought season of determination and improvement on and off the court.

“From pre-season to post-season we’ve definitely improved,” said head coach Mahea Rawlins. “We tried as hard as we could…we stuck together as a team and we fought to the end.”

The girls finished the season with a 9-4 record after competing against Hana and coming up short in the semi-finals of the MILS, according to MHS Athletic Director Hoku Haliniak.…

Farmers Take Aim at States

Thursday, November 7th, 2013

Farmers Take Aim at States

Two Molokai shooters represented the Farmers at the state championships for air riflery two weeks ago. Senior Pono Chow on the boys side and sophomore Pomai Gomes from the girls team gave it their best shot after the Farmers came in third in the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) championship Oct. 19.

“They’re already champions,” said Molokai girls coach Eddie Gorospe. [They’re two of the] 42 best shooters in Hawaii — just going [to states] is an accomplishment.”

Chow came in 24th place out of 42 male shooters in the state competition with 495 points out of a possible 600. Gomes finished in 27th place with 490 points out of the 42 girls competing.…

Farmers Football

Wednesday, October 30th, 2013

Farmers Football

A farewell to a great season and great seniors

MHS Farmers Football wrapped up their season last Saturday with a close home game against Seabury Hall. Seabury emerged victorious with a final score of 25 to 14, but MHS Farmers still had a lot to celebrate and be thankful for including a growing football culture on Molokai as well as eight seniors who were recognized for their dedication to the program.

In regards to the loss, Coach Mike Kahale stated, “It wasn’t the result we [had] hoped for, but it was a lot closer than the first game we played against them.”…

Cheers to the Masters

Wednesday, October 30th, 2013

Cheers to the Masters

There’s only one event in Hawaii that you’ll see teams of genies, clowns, American Indians, devils and cats jumping into outrigger canoes and paddling away along the coastline. It’s the annual Molokai Master Blasters, a race for older athletes featuring the sport of paddling, the art of drinking and the fun of dressing up.

“We’ve always wanted to do this — it was our goal race,” said one member of the Pu`uloa Puddy Cats of Oahu, participating in the 28th annual Master Blasters for the first time. This year’s race attracted 23 teams from around the state, including eight from Molokai.…

Molokai Hosts First-Ever Cross Country MIL Championship

Thursday, October 24th, 2013

Molokai Hosts First-Ever Cross Country MIL Championship

For the first time in the history of the Molokai High School Cross Country team, the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) Championship race was held on Molokai, bringing schools from around Maui County to compete on the Farmers’ home turf. More than 150 athletes representing nine schools ran the three-mile course at Ironwood Hills Golf Course, with Seabury Hall taking the girls team crown, while Lahainaluna boys won first place for team score.

Results from the MIL championship event also determine who qualifies to compete in the state meet this weekend — and Molokai’s Luke Kikukawa will be one of those running.…

Freediving Safety Training for Molokai

Saturday, October 19th, 2013

FII and Ka Honua Momona News Release
With the goal of reducing breath-holding related injuries and accidents, Freediving Instructors International (FII) will be sponsoring three freediving safety trainings on Molokai Oct. 29-31. These trainings are made available free of charge to any Molokai resident who practices breath-hold activities. The only minimum entry requirement is for students to be at least 12 years and in good medical health.

The Molokai Freediving Safety Training event will be led by 13-time world record freediver Martin Stepanek and his team of FII certified freediving instructors. The instructors are donating their time and instructional expertise to share this education.…

MHS Hosts First-Ever MIL X-C Championships On Saturday

Wednesday, October 16th, 2013

MHS Hosts First-Ever MIL X-C Championships On Saturday

Community Contributed

By Sue Forbes

For the first time ever, Molokai is hosting the Maui Interscholastic League Cross Country Championships to be held this Saturday, Oct. 19 at Ironwoods Golf Course. The Boy’s race begins at 11 a.m. Upon completion of the boy’s race, the girls will toe the line to determine who will be crowned champion.

Molokai High School is hosting this competition for the first time. More than 150 off-island competitors will make the journey to Molokai to race. Members of Molokai High School’s Boy’s X-C team are: Greyson Aldridge, Kealohanui Helm, Luke Kikukawa, Tanner Mosher, Makana Naki, Keaoalono Ross, and Erik Svetin.…

61st Crossing Paddled by More Ages and Nations

Wednesday, October 16th, 2013

61st Crossing Paddled by More Ages and Nations

The morning of the 61st crossing of the men’s Molokai Hoe canoe race to Oahu dawned muggy and windless at Molokai’s Hale o Lono Harbor. With calm ocean comes few swells to surf and carry the 99 canoes from around the world across the Ka`iwi Channel, and some feared it might be a slower and more arduous race than usual. But the winning team actually crossed the finish line Sunday in four hours 53 minutes — 17 minutes faster than last year.

Some aspects of this year’s race brought no surprises. That winning team — Shell Va`a from Tahiti — claimed their eighth title in nine years.…