• Failure notice from provider:
    Connection Error:http_request_failed

  • Submission Deadlines

    Advertising

    Thursday 4pm

    July 10, 2025

    Content

    Friday 4pm

    July 11, 2025

    To print on:

    Wednesday

    July 16, 2025

  • Join us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Google Plus Subscribe via RSS

Sports

Molokai Girl Top Wrestler

Thursday, February 17th, 2011

Molokai Girl Top Wrestler

 

Leya Justina Luafalemana of Kaunakakai helped bring her college wrestling team to fifth place in the national wrestling championships last month, and added a few more titles to her belt.

Luafalemana placed second overall in the Women’s Wrestling National Tournament, held in California on Jan. 29, but was awarded the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler Award, according to the Jamestown Sun. She is an All-American athlete in her sophomore year at Jamestown College in North Dakota. 

In addition, Luafalemana received the Optimist Club Athletes of the Week for the Jamestown Sun.

“I am still proud of this accomplishment along with keeping up with her grades,” said her mother, Cynthia Luafalemana via email. Her mother added this is the second time Leya received the newspaper’s award.

 

Posted in commentsAdd your comment

Wrestlers Come in Second

Sunday, February 13th, 2011

The Molokai boys’ and girls’ wrestling team did not come out on top at last weekend’s Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) championships – but did grab some individual titles.

Mikayla Pico (98 lbs), Rizpah Torres-Umi (120) and Charisse Manley (130) won first in their weight classes, helping the girls grab second place as a team with 111 points, behind Lahainaluna.

The boys’ side also came in second behind Lahainaluna, also with 111 points, but with no individual wins.

Coaches did not return calls for comment.

The state wrestling championship will be held this weekend, Feb. 11-12, at the Blaisdell Arena in Oahu.

MIL Championship Results, per the Maui News –

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

Ka Molokai Makahiki 2011 Results

Wednesday, February 9th, 2011

Kane Ano Koa Ki’e  Ki’e Divsion: Individual Event Winners:
1) Ulumaika: Ho’o Kaiama-Lenwai (Molokai)
2) Moa Pahee: Kaniela Buckley (Hawai’i)
3) ‘O’oihe:  Keli’i Kotubetey (O’ahu)
4) Pohaku: Kaina Makua (Kaua’i)
5) Uma: Kaina Makua (Kaua’i)
6) Pa Uma: Kaina Makua (Kaua’i)
7) Haka Moa: Hanohano Naehu ( Moloka’i)
8) 100 yd.: Kaniela Buckley (Hawai’i)
9) 440 yd.: Keli’i Kotubety (O’ahu)
10) Huki Huki: Kupono Kawa`a ( Moloka’i)

4th Place: Keaka Flores = 30pts.
3rd Place: Kupono Kawa`a (Moloka’i) =36 pts.
2nd Place: Hanohano Naehu (Moloka’i) = 40pts.
Ano Koa Ki’e Ki’e Champion: KAINA MAKUA (Kaua’i) = 60pts.

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

Farmers Downed in MIL Championship

Tuesday, February 8th, 2011

The Molokai boys’ basketball team ended their regular season 4-2 and placing second at last week’s Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) Division II tournament. The came up short of the championship, but coach Lester Delos Reyes said he is satisfied his team left everything on the court.

Last Thursday, at the tournament on Maui, the Molokai Farmers matched up against St. Anthony High School in a close match. The Farmers bested the Trojans 46-37.

That game sent the Farmers to the winner’s bracket on Friday night with a match against undefeated Seabury Hall. 

They were plagued once again by the acrobatic skills of Dylan King. Down by eight points at the end of the first quarter, Molokai came back and the score was 25-22. 

Posted in commentsAdd your comment

Girls Paddling Places at States

Tuesday, February 8th, 2011

Girls Paddling Places at States

The girls’ paddling team beat every other qualified public school in the state, when they raced into third place at last weekend’s state championship meet on Oahu.

Molokai came in third at 4:12.12, behind Kamehameha Oahu (4:06.40) and Pac-Five (4:08.32) – two private schools on Oahu.

“After winning MIL and winning that, everything after that was just icing on the cake,” said coach Tania Kaholoa`a. “They did really, really awesome.”

The Lady Farmers placed second in their preliminary heat on Friday, with the second-fastest time going into the final race. Kaholoa`a also mixed up her crew, so her seven top paddlers could fill out the six seats both days: Kailana Ritte-Camara, Natalia Levi, Leenell Hernandez, Crystal Puaoi-Kawai, Keaka Kaiama, Jasmine Borden and Kawena Puhi.

“It’s never been done before,” Kaholoa`a said of qualifying for states. “To see that happen, pull that off, is a great joy to me and my assistant coaches.”

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

Farmers Downed in MIL Championship

Monday, February 7th, 2011

The Molokai boys’ basketball team ended their regular season 4-2 and placing second at last week’s Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) Division II tournament. The came up short of the championship, but coach Lester Delos Reyes said he is satisfied his team left everything on the court.

Last Thursday, at the tournament on Maui, the Molokai Farmers matched up against St. Anthony High School in a close match. The Farmers bested the Trojans 46-37.

That game sent the Farmers to the winner’s bracket on Friday night with a match against undefeated Seabury Hall.

They were plagued once again by the acrobatic skills of Dylan King. Down by eight points at the end of the first quarter, Molokai came back and the score was 25-22.

Posted in commentsAdd your comment

Stand Up Paddling Going Big in 2011

Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

Stand Up Paddling Going Big in 2011

SUPAM News Release

Those of you enjoying the new and exciting sport of stand-up paddling (SUP) have lot to look forward to in the coming year. Local supporters of the sport have formed Stand Up Paddle Association of Molokai (SUPAM) to support Molokai residents who want to participate in local races. Super serious about your stand-up paddling? At least two of Molokai’s planned races will be sanctioned by the World Paddling Association (WPA) earning you points toward national rankings.


Winds of Change
Makani Ikaika o Molokai, or the Strong Wind of Molokai, is the name of the new race series. Given the green light by local kupuna, the name reflects Molokai’s persistent east-to-west tradewinds – perfect conditions for competitive SUP racing.

The five-race series includes divisions for beginners, intermediates and advanced paddlers and feature categories for various ages, genders and boards.

The purpose of the series is “to allow Molokai paddlers to become champions in their divisions,” according to Clare Mawae, event coordinator and director of Youth in Motion.

The eight mile advanced course will start from Kamalo; a four mile intermediate course begins at Rice Patch; and the two mile beginner’s course starts at Ali`i Fishpond. All races end at Hotel Molokai.

Dates for the spring series are as follows:  March 5 – 1 p.m. registration, 2 p.m. start; March 19 – 12 p.m. registration, 1 p.m. start; April 2 – 12 p.m. registration, 1 p.m. start; April 16 – 12 p.m. registration, 1 p.m. start; April 30 – 12 p.m. registration, 1 p.m. start. WPA sanctioning to be announced.

Molokai Holokai
After a great turnout in 2010, the Molokai Holokai SUP race will return this year to serve as the grand finale of Makani Ikaika o Molokai series.  This combined race will take place on May 28, 12 p.m. registration, 1 p.m. start.

Save Some $$$
Thanks to SUPAM, it’s just $25 for individuals to join the association, giving them access to all Makani Ikaika o Molokai events at no additional charge. Membership is $10 for youths under 18, and a flat rate of $50 for families.
 
For more information about joining SUPAM, please contact Clare Seeger Mawae from Youth in Motion at clare@youthinmotion.org or (808)336-0946.

Posted in commentsAdd your comment

Girls Grab Paddling Firsts

Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

Girls Grab Paddling Firsts

Not only did the Molokai High School girls’ paddling team win Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) championships last weekend at Kahului Harbor, they began the season with their first regatta win ever. Now the girls head to Oahu to represent Molokai for the first time at the state paddling meet next weekend.

“They did everything perfect that day,” said coach Tania Kaholoa`a. “The girls just wanted it so bad.”

They won the half-mile race ahead of main rivals Seabury Hall – who in the spirit of competition donated money for their travel – at 4:17.66, also their best time of the season. Paddlers Kailana Ritte-Camara, Natalia Levi, Leenell Hernandez, Crystal Puaoi-Kawai, Keaka Kaiama and Jasmine Borden made up the winning crew.

“They trained so hard these past couple weeks, knowing [the win was] just in front of them to grab,” Kaholoa`a said. “They paddled from their hearts.”


The state meet will host 16 teams from around the state, with Seabury and Kamehameha Maui joining Molokai to represent the MIL. The crews will be split into two preliminary heats, with the first and second place teams heading into the final race. There will also be what Kaholoa`a called a double elimination – the third and fourth place teams will go into a semi-final race. With Molokai seeded first in the MIL, Kaholoa`a said their goal is to make it to that final race.

The girls’ paddling state championship race will take place at Ke`ehi Lagoon on Oahu, on Friday, Feb. 11.

Boys
For racing with a novice crew, boys’ paddling coach Dave Gilliland is equally proud of how the boys placed at the MIL championships. The Farmers came in fifth at 4:04.56 – their best time of the season.

“The boys did a good job taking the girls’ energy into the boat,” Gilliland said. “We got where we wanted to be this season.”

Seniors Dustin Bishaw, David Gomes and Eric Gilliland were recognized at the meet, and Coach Gilliland said he is excited to have a crew of strong paddlers to “build a base” for next season.

The boys were also trained by MHS teacher  Ric Ornellas, and 2010 MHS graduate Mahi Kan-Hai, whom Coach Gilliland said he is grateful for.

The boys ended the regular MIL season tied for fifth place with Maui High.

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

Molokai Swimmers End Strong

Thursday, February 3rd, 2011

Molokai Swimmers End Strong

Despite a number of obstacles, the Molokai High School swim team made an impressive show at last weekend’s Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) championships at Kihei Aquatic Center.

Junior Lawaia Aalona raced a state consideration time of 23.76 in the 50-yard freestyle, a one second drop from his season debut two weeks ago. It remains to be seen if he will qualify for the state championship meet – which take qualifying times first, and consideration times if there is room – but coach Jessie Ford said the swimmer’s fourth-place finish was impressive.

During Friday’s qualifying meet, Aalona swam at 23.98.

“To do repeat performances, where he improves on a substantial personal best the day after in the finals, is a very good indicator of what he’s capable of,” Ford said. Aalona also dropped three seconds in his 100-yard freestyle during the meet, also earning fourth place at 53.31.


Veteran swimmers Chelsea Simon and Michael Kikukawa joined Aalona in the finals. Simon had a five-second drop to qualify her in the 100-yard freestyle, and Kikukawa dropped one second in his 100-yard breaststroke.

Novice swimmers Kala Helm, Rendy Jacobs and Michael Onofrio, and veteran swimmer Moriah Jenkins remained consistent with personal bests in nearly every race, Ford said.

She added that despite only seven weeks training in the water, using a private pool on the west end, the championship meet was full of “pleasant surprises.”

“Ending the season on such an incredibly positive note made every effort worthwhile,” she said. “It’s a really, really good start to next year.”

Ford plans to start a USA Swimming Club team, hopefully to begin in the summer, so current swimmers can “compete more successfully with year round training.” The off-season team would “grow slowly but surely get a great foundation,” and eventually include athletes of all ages.

Ford thanked her assistant coach, as well as supporter Lloyd Yonemura for their help.

Posted in , commentsAdd your comment

Grappling for Glory

Wednesday, February 2nd, 2011

Grappling for Glory

It is the most anticipated Saturday night of the decade, where nearly a quarter of the island’s population has turned out.  Energetic music vibrates off the bleachers as an overflow crowd bellows for the arrival of local stars. In a cramped and sweltering locker-room above Molokai High School gym, affectionately called The Barn, wrestlers, boxers and amateur fighters get into the zone. The fuse for an explosive and dynamic night has been lit.

“I felt like we had the greatest fans in the world right here in my hometown,” Sproat said. “The fans were more respectful to both the local fighters and off-island guys compared to any other crowds I have fought in. They were well behaved and impressed X1 to bring them back for a few more fights this year.”

Topping off the slew of Molokai wins was the main event, between Torres-Umi and Gerald Casteneto. Keeping fans on their feet, the three-round fight was a display of technical skills, ultimate strength and agility. After the judge’s unanimous decision, Torres-Umi accepted his prize belt and acknowledged the motivation behind his win.

 “Thank you, Molokai. This one’s for you.” 

Posted in commentsAdd your comment