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Sports

Paddles Down, Bottoms Up

Monday, October 31st, 2011

Paddles Down, Bottoms Up

How many places can you see a canoe of Cruella de Vils paddling behind a boat of unabashed Beer Hunters?

Probably only on Molokai during the Master Blasters canoe race from Kakahai`a to the Kaunakakai Wharf, which took place for the 26th time last Saturday. The annual event raises funds for the Molokai Canoe Club.

Twenty-two teams from around the state made four pit stops en route to the finish line, with each of their six crew members required to drink a full beer before getting back into the water. On top of a kick-off beer at the starting line, that meant drinking five beers while competitively paddling more than six miles in well under two hours.

The teams accomplished their feat dressed in costumes ranging from 1920s flappers to Italian gondoliers.

Molokai was represented by top three finishes from the Beer Hunters and Aloha Etes, who each placed second among master’s men and women, respectively.

Another Molokai women’s team’s Cruella de Vil get-ups – complete with keiki dressed as spotted Dalmatians – took second place in the costume contest.

“It was a good race – it was so competitive this year. … It’s not only the drinking, it’s about paddling, too. Gotta be both,” said Ike Sanchez, whose Beer Hunter team paddled with a rack of antlers attached to their canoe.

Penny Martin of the Aloha Etes – who donned pink wigs and Hawaiian wear – agreed that the race is “always a competition.” She and Beer Hunter Ed Misaki said they’ve made many friends from Maui and Oahu who they know only through the annual race.

“It’s a venue where we can laugh together after a long hard season and enjoy each other’s friendship,” Martin said before the crews got ready to party and celebrate at the wharf’s canoe shack.

“You see the brotherhood out there,” added Misaki. “All these guys, we have this common experience.”

MASTERS BLASTERS RESULTS

26th Annual Race, Saturday, Oct. 29
From Kakahai`a to the Kaunakakai Wharf
11 men’s teams, 11 women’s teams

RACE

Masters Men (ages 40+; total age in boat 300+ years)
1.    North Shore Renegades (Maui)
2.    Beer Hunters (Molokai)

Super Masters Men (ages 45+; total age in boat 330+ years)
1.    Poi Dog (Oahu)
2.    Kihei (Maui)

Masters Women (ages 35+; total age in boat 250+ years)
1.    Sovern Soldiers (Oahu)
2.    Aloha Etes (Molokai)

COSTUMES

Men – Kihei (Maui)
Women – Cruella de Vils (Molokai)

HARD LUCK

Men – Chippendales 30 Years Later (Oahu)
Women – North Shore Renegades (Maui)

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Sporting Success

Wednesday, October 26th, 2011

Volleyball: Movin’ Forward

After securing the second berth in the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) tournament last week, the Molokai High School (MHS) girls’ volleyball team returns to the state championshipWednesday to defend last year’s crown.

The path to states was tougher than years past, as the Farmers lost five of last season’s state champion squad to graduation or transfer. Another, senior Natalia Levi, had her season cut short by a serious foot injury earlier this month.

But coach Matt Helm said the Farmers’ other senior standout, Leenell Hernandez, excelled during last week’s tournament while gracefully leading her younger teammates.

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On and Off Field, Football Excels

Monday, October 24th, 2011

On and Off Field, Football Excels

Without the opportunity to join the Molokai High School (MHS) club football team, many players would have spent the last three months “staying home,” said senior quarterback Keola DeMello. Others could be “getting in trouble, most likely,” added free safety Kaloko Akina, another senior.

Instead, the 30-man squad spent that time on the field, running through hours of practice, drill after drill, day after day.

Motivation was not lacking last weekend, as Molokai surged ahead to a 40-2 halftime lead en route to the win. Making efforts to mix up their offense, the Farmers scored in the air and on the ground, with senior Shauden Pedro tallying one each way. Noah Caparida added another touchdown, while fellow sophomore Koa Traxler-Ortiz had two and intercepted a St. Anthony attempt in the end zone.

The team’s 13 seniors were honored in a ceremony after the game, with many saying they can’t wait to come back and cheer next year’s squad.

“It’s exciting,” said senior Enoka Kalilikane. “They better step up – they gotta step up.”

Kahale thanked the Molokai community for their immense support throughout the season, the players for their hard work and time in making the season a success, and his wife, Nicole, who he called “the motor behind the scenes.”

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Unofficial Channel Record Set

Sunday, October 23rd, 2011

Unofficial Channel Record Set

Darren Miller, the Pennsylvanian man who was featured in last week’s Dispatch for attempting to swim seven of the world’s most dangerous channels, set an unofficial record swimming the Kaiwi Channel last weekend, according to his blog. He plan

s to submit his time of 12:12:23 with proper signatures and documentation for proof of the record, he said.

“From the start at La`au on Moloka`i, to the finish at Sandy Beach on O`ahu, it was a non-stop barrage of giant swells, strong currents and rough chop,” he wrote on his blog, , “but we made it through! Didn't get to see any tiger sharks, however, I did manage a Portuguese man-o-war sting right to the face (felt GREAT, ha)! The middle of the channel was so beautiful, as it was such blue water all around, and just seemed to go on forever.”

Miller is attempting the so-called “Ocean’s 7” to raise money and awareness for infant heart surgery. To learn more, visit darren-miller.com.

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Mission: Kaiwi

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

Mission: Kaiwi

How did Darren Miller decide to attempt swimming seven of the world’s most difficult channels – including the Kaiwi Channel, from Molokai to Oahu, which he’ll partake early Friday morning?

In a word, he says, “randomly.”

The Pennsylvanian’s motivation to pursue the so-called “Ocean’s Seven” is the Forever Fund, which he founded in 2010 with his close friend, Cathy Cartieri Mehl. The organization is dedicated to Mehl’s late father, Anthony Frank Cartieri, and helps families pay costs associated with open heart surgery on infants.

Yet while his efforts are meant to raise donations and awareness for the Forever Fund, the way he is doing so – daylong swims in treacherous waters – is the random part. The 28-year-old swam in high school, but quit his college swim team during his sophomore year at Penn State. His first competitive long-distance swim came less than two years ago, at the Tampa Bay Marathon in April 2010. Open water swimming is still “fairly new to me,” he says, and ultra-distance swimming is a “brand new concept.”

Plus, this is no walk in the park – or swim in the pool. On record, fewer than 20 people have successfully swum the Kaiwi Channel. According to Miller’s website, nobody has finished the Ocean’s Seven – which, in addition to Kaiwi, includes the Tsugaru (in Northern Japan) and Irish channels, the Strait of Gibraltar (between Spain and Morocco) and Cook Strait (in New Zealand).

But Miller, a former marathon runner who tours the country giving motivational speeches, enjoys a good challenge. He already completed the first two channels, English and Catalina (in California), in July 2010 and Aug. 3, 2011, respectively. He arrived on Molokai this past Saturday – his first trip to Hawaii – to conquer what he says will be one of the toughest of his seven swims in waters in the 70 degree F range.

“Whereas before I was training for cold water, now it’s the opposite,” he said. “That’s the biggest challenge, is gonna be the heat and how it’s gonna affect my energy levels.”

Miller will try to maintain his energy level through speedy food breaks every half-hour during his Kaiwi attempt, which he expects to last 12 to 15 hours. Sharks and manowar jellyfish – which have denied other swimmers similar feats in the past – could also impact Miller’s success, but he said raising money for less fortunate kids is worth the risk.

“I’m a man of faith,” he said, “and I believe that that’s what I’m put on the earth to do.”

To follow Miller’s Oceans Seven attempt, visit darren-miller.com or like his Facebook Page.

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Shoots, Shooters

Monday, October 17th, 2011

Shoots, Shooters

Online version updated Tuesday, Oct. 18.

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James Corpuz and Kayla Matson are right on target.

Following strong performances at their league air riflery tournament last Saturday, the duo will represent Molokai at the Hawaii High School Athletic Association (HHSAA) championship on Oahu this weekend.

Both the Molokai High School boys (1834 points) and girls (1825) squads placed second overall at the meet, which wrapped up the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) Div. II season. Seven boys teams and six girls teams participated.

Matson, who took last year’s MIL crown, placed fourth of 41 shooters with 472 points. She returns to states seeking to improve upon last weekend’s performance, she said.

“When we were shooting, we were all definitely really nervous but excited … I guess that pressure kinda got to us,” she said. “I definitely wanna be doing better [at states] … but most of all I wanna shoot how I was at practice back home.”

Corpuz placed sixth of 60 shooters with 482 points. He, too, has high hopes for Oahu.

“I feel good,” he said Sunday. “This is my last year of being in high school and I try my best, and I’m gonna push myself to do better [at states].”

Chelsea Simon also qualified as an alternate shooter at the HHSAA tournament, placing fifth with 463 points. The shooters are some of 12 seniors wrapping up their time with the squad – a 19-person team that will be sad to see them go, said coach Eddie Gorospe.

“Coach Henry Corpuz and I were really proud of them,” Gorospe said. “We’re gonna miss them very much.”

 

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Football Undefeated

Monday, October 17th, 2011

The Molokai High School (MHS) club football team remains undefeated as it enters this Saturday’s season-ending home game.

The Farmers defeated Seabury Hall 58-6 on Maui last Saturday, bringing their record to 3-0.

“It was a well-played game and the boys really executed,” said head coach Mike Kahale.

Keola DeMello rushed for 269 yards and four touchdowns (TDs), while Noah Caparida added 110 rushing yards and one TD.

Jayven Dudoit-Tabilangan returned an interception for a 30-yard TD.

The Farmers are in their second year of a three-year plan to become sanctioned by the Maui Interscholastic League. They host St. Anthony at the MHS field Saturday at 11 a.m.

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Paddling Power

Thursday, October 13th, 2011

Paddling Power

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Volleyball Struggles, Looks Ahead

Wednesday, October 12th, 2011

Volleyball Struggles, Looks Ahead

The Molokai High School (MHS) girls’ volleyball team hit a tough stretch last week, losing back-to-back games to visiting Hana a week after suffering their first Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) loss in years.

Hana swept Saturday’s matchup at the MHS Barn (25-21, 25-19, 25-15) after taking a 3-1 win Friday night (26-24, 22-25, 25-11, 25-16).

On Sept. 30, host Seabury snapped the Farmers’ MIL unbeaten streak dating back to 2007 with a nail-biting five-set match (23-25, 25-17, 19-25, 25-17, 15-10).

However, the Farmers earned a win Oct. 1, sweeping host Maui Prep (25-13, 25-11, 25-20). Their MIL record stands at 5-3 as they look forward to a trip to Maui this weekend, when they revisit Seabury (Oct. 14, 6 p.m.) and Maui Prep (Oct. 15, 6 p.m.).

Head coach Matt Helm said his players’ effort showed at times during their struggles last weekend, but lapses in communication left the Farmers open to Hana’s attack.

“Our inexperience really showed today,” he said Saturday, referring to his team’s youth – including nine new players this season and only three seniors.

One of those seniors, outside hitter Natalia Levi, suffered a broken foot in the first set Friday night, rendering her unable to play for the remainder of the season.

Despite the losses, several players tallied impressive stats against Hana. Leenell Hernandez (13 kills, 10 digs, 1 block), Shaniah Mollena-Lopez (9 assists) and Carol Kahee (9 digs) excelled on Saturday, while Hernandez (14 kills) and Lehiwa Pedro (6 kills) stood out Friday.

Helm said he and his squad will work on a different lineup this week and improving court communication as they continue to defend their state championship title.

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Football on Fire

Monday, October 3rd, 2011

Keola DeMello scored four touchdowns and Noah Caparida added three as the Molokai High School (MHS) club football team rolled to a 54-22 victory over host St. Anthony last weekend.

Head Coach Mike Kahale said players were excited to play their first game refereed by Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) officials on a regulation size field, and were motivated to make up for a loss to the Trojans last season. They channeled their excitement into a 40-0 halftime lead en route to the victory, which included additional touchdowns from Shauden Pedro, Braddah Ka`ai and Kaloko Akina, who scored on a 75-yard punt return.

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