Sports

Batter Up

Friday, July 16th, 2010

Ask any Molokai Little Leaguer what brought them out to play baseball Saturday morning and they’d tell you it’s for the love of the game.

“I love to hit homeruns!” exclaimed 10-year-old Royden Abafo. “I’m so happy we got to play.”

But it took a little more than love for baseball to make the Grandma and Grandpa Little League Tournament at Kaunakakai Ball Park possible – it took the love of the community.

Getting a late start due to the loss of its charter, the 9 and 10 year old Little League teams did not have the opportunity to play a full season this year – which was unacceptable to Molokai resident and grandparent Wayde Lee.

Lee said the kids were “bummed out” that they couldn’t play and he decided to call upon his `ohana and the community to put on what he called the “Grandma and Grandpa League Tournament.”

,” Lee said. “There is nothing better than to come out and watch your grandkids play.”

Funded by Lee and other community donations, the tournament lasted three days with three co-ed Molokai teams battling it out on the field: the Yankees, Slammahs and Hammahs. Each team had one week of practice with volunteer coaches who recruited the kids from separate districts. Bill Umi, one of the coaches for the Yankees, said the tournament was more relaxed because the kids didn’t feel the pressure of qualifying for All-Stars, a higher level in the league’s previous years.

“The kids did awesome,” Hammahs coach Kenny Adachi said. “We’re all really grateful they got this opportunity … they deserve it.”

Lee added that the tournament wasn’t about winning, but about having fun – which was evident on the diamond.

“My favorite part was scoring runs,” said 10-year-old Sydney Rawlins, who played for the Slammahs. “I’ve been playing since T-ball.”

Her excitement was shared by others who were glad they got to brush up on their baseball skills for next year.

“I love to catch and to hit!” said 9-year-old Cami Horner, representing the Yankees. “I can’t wait to play again.”

A chili lunch and awards ceremony followed the tournament, where the kids were presented with certificates, T-shirts, metals donated by the County of Maui, and a new baseball.

Despite hitches this year, the league has been fully reinstated and will be back on the field next season.

The Lee `Ohana would like to extend mahalos to Molokai Drugs, Buchanan, Fely Video, Hames Mawae `Ohana and Business, GoodFellow, Misakis, Fred and Kelly Richardson, Island Refuse Company, Maui Parks and Recreation, all coaches and players, Maui County workers, Donald Kaai, Kamalu Kaawa Richardson, Ilmaakea Kaawa Richardson, Dwayne and Hala Kala, Loke Kamakana, Taylor Kaawa, Abbie Kaawa, Kilohilani Kaawa, Benny Venenciano, Trey Kaawa, Jr. Alcon, Guy Espaniola, Grandpa Wayde Lee, Grandma Adele Lee and everyone else who made the tournament possible.

Posted in Island Youth, Sports

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Ready, Set, Hike!

Wednesday, June 30th, 2010

Get your cleats ready, Molokai, because the streak is over. After a 50 year hiatus, Molokai High School football is back in the lineup and will take to the field this fall.

“It’s going to be big,” said Mike Kahale, a social studies teacher at Molokai Middle School. “Our kids have been waiting for this opportunity for a long time.”

Kahale, head coach of the team, said he and his wife had been developing a strategic plan to bring back high school-level football for the past two years, and is finally becoming a reality.

“There is already a lot of talk about it,” he added. “We have about 44 kids signed up.”

One of the biggest obstacles, Kahale said, was finding the funds to purchase football equipment. But with a $2,000 equipment grant from USA Football, among other donations, the team will be ready to kick off its three-year football plan.

Eight Ball
Although securing the funds for a traditional 11-man team was a stretch, it didn’t mean the sport couldn’t exist at all. This past year, smaller schools in Maui County began looking into an eight-man football league – which was recently sanctioned by the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) to include Molokai, Seabury Hall and St. Anthony high schools.

Eight-man football has gained popularity in many rural areas on the mainland and allows small schools with small budgets a chance to play football.

Since the league doesn’t have the finances to cover tackle football off the bat, it will start small and slowly expand. The first year will be a passing league with full padding incorporated the second year, and full MIL sanctioning expected in the third year.

“It’s the only way to make it financially feasible,” Kahale said. “It’s a great way to introduce football fundamentals and to actually start. Why wait until next year?”

Grassroots
The 1960-61 Farmers were the last high school football team on Molokai. Despite lacking a program, Molokai produced professional football player Kimo “Scooby” Von Oelhoffen. He played at the University of Hawaii and Boise State before starting a 15-year NFL career. Although Von Oelhoffen never played on Molokai, he did commit to helping out the new program financially, but has yet to discuss dollars and cents with Kahale.

Still, more money needs to be raised to help pay for travel costs, field maintenance and additional equipment. Resting on the coattails of major budget cuts for high school sports, the program seeks financial support from the community, businesses and organizations.

Tax deductible donations can be made through Friends of Molokai High and Intermediate. Kahale is also looking for help with coaching – preferably those with some high school or college football coaching experience.

For more information contact Kahale at 658-0834 or e-mail at mikekahale@yahoo.com.

Posted in Island Youth, Sports

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Maui News Honors Molokai Star Athlete

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Molokai’s Kalei Adolpho was named The Maui News Maui Interscholastic League Girl Athlete of the Year last week, making her the first Molokai girl to earn the honor.

Adolpho was the league’s Division II volleyball Player of the Year and helped the Farmers finish third in the state tournament. Adolpho was also an All-Star basketball player for the state runners-up and the state’s third-place finisher in the high jump, according to The News.

“I feel really honored and I guess I am surprised, but definitely honored,” Adolpho told The News.

Adolpho’s brother Manu was named Boy Athlete of the Year in 2006-07, making them the first brother-sister pair to earn the awards.

Adolpho will be a senior at MHS in the fall. In November, she will accept an NCAA Division I athletic scholarship -- another first for a Molokai girl -- when she signs to play basketball and volleyball at the University of Hawaii, according to The News.

“The whole island is proud of her,” MHS volleyball coach Matt Helm told The News. “She is a very gifted young lady.”

Posted in Island Youth, Sports

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Making Waves

Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010

Big waves don’t scare Molokai’s Taoa Pou. Neither, apparently, does big competition.

The envy of many young surfers, 13-year-old Taoa was granted wildcard entry into last week’s Sponsor Me Hawaii pro surf competition at Ala Moana Bowls on Oahu.

Competing alongside some of the state’s top surfers, Taoa held nothing back, even attempting the coveted reverse air-360. “There was no pressure on me -- I had nothing to lose,” he said. “There was more pressure on the professionals ‘cause they didn’t want to lose to a 13-year-old kid.”

Sponsor Me is meant to give lesser-known surfers access to international ratings and valuable media exposure. Still, many of the competitors were established names with decades of experience surfing over Taoa, who was given one of only two wildcard entries for amateurs, sponsored by the Association for Surfing Professionals (ASP).

ASP also set up Taoa to receive coaching throughout the day from pros Sunny Garcia, Myles Padaca, Makuakai Rothman and Pancho Sullivan, though he had some trouble concentrating on their instructions. “I was more in awe of them,” he said.

Taoa finished fourth in his second round heat – an impressive showing for the event’s youngest competitor – but as his own biggest critic, he said he’s not completely satisfied. “I could have done better -- I could have beaten some of those guys.”

Still, Taoa said the experience will motivate him to enter more competitions and take his surfing to the next level.

The Right Attitude
Taoa was recruited for Sponsor Me by Jodi Wilmott, a publicist with ASP who helped organize the event, after she saw him last month at the state championships, where Taoa competed in the 12-13 year-old division.

Impressed with his “vibe,” Wilmott invited Taoa to Sponsor Me to “get a good taste of what pro surfing is about,” she said.

With the average age of competitors between 23 and 24, Taoa was by far the youngest, but Wilmott said he handled the pressure like a veteran.

“I’ve been working in the professional surfing world for 20 years and I was so impressed,” Wilmott said, calling Taoa “a very mature 13.”

Taoa is already sponsored by Tango Surf Boards and the Tahitian clothing company Imvad. Taoa’s dad Teva Pou said after last week’s exposure, more sponsorships could be in the works.

“He definitely has the talent to make a career out of it,” Pou said. But for now, he added, Taoa is simply enjoying the moment. “His goal, regardless of winning or loosing, is to keep his heart humble.”

A Head Start
Taoa’s love of surfing started at a young age. “When he was little, he would watch surf videos with me more than cartoons,” Pou said.

At age three, Taoa began surfing beginners’ break at Waialua and a few years later had moved onto to the waves at Rock Point on the east end.

Earlier this month, the Pou family moved from Kalamaula on Molokai to the North Shore of Oahu. Even after surfing big waves there, Rock Point remains one of Taoa’s favorite surf spot.

“I feel really comfortable there,” he said. “I miss it already.”

Posted in Island Youth, Sports

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Off to the Races

Friday, June 11th, 2010

Thousands of miles across the Pacific Ocean, the name Molokai has people talking – but not about this island.

A three-year-old race horse named Mr. Molokai has race fans in Australia buzzing – after just four races, he has one win, two third place finishes and one fifth place finish.

Mr. Molokai comes from a long line of horses with Hawaii-inspired names. His mother was No Hula No Dance; he also has close relatives named Never Hula, Hula Chief, Hula Drum, Hawaiian Song, It’s Hula Time, and Hulachine.

“We wanted to keep that connection going and named him Molokai after your island,” Rob McAnulty, Mr. Molokai’s owner, wrote in an email to the Dispatch.

The horse was born in New Zealand and was originally named just Molokai. He was later moved to Australia where there was already a champion race horse named Molokai Prince so he was renamed Mr. Molokai.

“He is a most promising young horse who will hit his top in the next 12 months… and may even run in the richest race in Australia, the Melbourne Cup,” McAnulty wrote.

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Record Attempt Makes a Slash

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

Early on Thursday morning, while the rest of Kaunakakai slept peacefully, a lively group at Cooke Memorial Pool was wide awake to represent Molokai in a record-breaking swim lesson.

Lessons were beginning simultaneously at over 175 sites around the world in far-flung places like Zamia, Lebanon, South Korea and Germany. Combined, they comprise what organizers hope will be certified by Guinness World Records as the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson.

Of the 69 participants at Cooke, most were kids who spent the night at the Youth Center next door, waking up not-yet-bright but certainly early for the 4 a.m. start time.

The event was meant to promote water safety. “It’s important to know how to swim – save your own life or save someone else’s life,” said lifeguard Kaleo Crivello, who helped organized the lesson at Cooke.

During the 45 minute lesson, participants practiced pool safety, floating, rhythmic breathing, kicking and the freestyle stroke -- “the basis of swimming,” Crivello said.

The safety lesson made an impact on some kids. “I learned that you can use a plastic bottle to help pull somebody to shore,” said 11-year-old Tadeu Lima.

Others simply enjoyed the time spent in the pool. Kawai Naki, age 12, said his favorite part was the kicking “because everybody was splashing and it looked like a waterfall.”

The number of participants worldwide won’t be known until later this week when organizers at Cooke and other sites send registration forms and video recordings of their lesson to Guinness World Records, which will review the material and establish the record.

But the title was not the primary goal of the event – it was meant to teach kids life-saving skills.

According to event organizers, drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death of children 1-14 years old, and research shows that if a child doesn’t learn to swim by third grade, they will likely never learn.

Crivello said he hopes more kids sign up for lessons as a result of the event. Cooke’s free Learn to Swim summer lessons are June 14 to July 15 for kids three years old and up. Call 553-5819 for more information or to register.

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Adolpho Third in State High Jump

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

Molokai’s Kalei Adolpho went into last weekend’s Track and Field State Tournament with only one jump under her belt this season, and came out with a bronze medal in high jump out of 23 girls.

Adolpho, a junior at Molokai High School, earned her third place title by clearing the pole at 5 ’2”. None of the top four girls, including Adolpho, cleared 5’4”, which is the next height up. Ties are decided upon by how many attempts each athlete took to get over previous heights, leading up to the last height cleared, said Coach Jesse Ford.

"The cleaner you jump, the higher you place,” she said. “Most girls were missing their first and second attempts on Friday."

which is what I did last year,” she said. “But my goal was also to get third or better, so I’m happy with that.”

Adolpho’s first time jumping this season was at the Maui Interscholastic League Championships two weeks ago. She cleared the jump at 5’0” with very little practice.

“I’ve gone to more practices this year than actual meets,” she added.

Adolpho has been traveling for basketball and volleyball recently, which has been conflicting with her track schedule. But she hopes that won’t stop her, at least for next year.

“I definitely want to do better next season,” she said. “I’m really not that far away from my goal.”

Softball
Larriley Rawlins homered for Molokai in an 8-5 loss to Aiea High School in a consolation game during the Division II State Softball Tournament last Wednesday at Central Oahu Regional Park.

The Lady Farmers were eliminated from the tournament after the loss, following a defeat by Kauai High School, last year’s defending champions, 11-1, on Tuesday.

During the second game, Molokai began with the lead, but couldn’t hold off Aiea as they quickly came back with five runs. Rawlins scored a three-run homerun to even the score 5-5. Unfortunately, the Lady Farmers succumbed to the hitting prowess of Aiea, who took home an 8-5 win in six innings.

Although the girls fell short of advancing to the finals, Coach Coco Augustiro said the team worked hard and did fairly well considering there were only two returnees on the team this year.

“I’m excited for next year,” Augustiro said. “We’re going to be even better next season.”

The Lady Farmers finished out their season 9-5.

Posted in Island Youth, Sports

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Olympic Hurdles

Wednesday, May 26th, 2010

Molokai’s Special Olympic athletes have been bringing home the gold. After an impressive showing at qualifying rounds in Maui last month, the athletes are gearing up to take on the state’s top competition at the annual Summer Games this weekend in Honolulu. But even though they’re racking in the medals, the program is hurting for dollars and cents.

“They are improving each year and today they’re getting all gold medals,” said Donna Kapu, a member of the `Ohana Task Force, a volunteer league that helps coordinate events and fundraising.

Molokai swimmers took top honors in the breaststroke, backstroke, freestyle individual events and the team freestyle relay at the Maui qualifiers April 17-18.

Track and field athlete Ernest Kapu, Jr. came in first in the 200 meter race and shot put competition and said he was excited to be going to Honolulu.

“I’m gonna try to do my best,” he explained.

Over 20 athletes -- softball players, swimmers, weight lifters and track and field athletes -- will leave for the Games Friday morning, along with coaches, volunteers and partner athletes. Partner athletes are those without special needs that play alongside Special Olympics athletes in team sports, according to Rita Kalahiki, Special Olympics Molokai Area Director. The Molokai athletes range in age from elementary school to late thirties and compete in divisions based on abilities, age and gender.

The Summer Games are a highlight for many involved.

“Just to see them smile and interact and feel like any other normal person -- it’s wonderful,” said Donna Kapu.

Funding Trials
As they head into the Games hoping for victory, Special Olympics Molokai is grappling with one major defeat: Last month, the program was denied a Maui County grant it had received the last six years, according to Kalahiki.

In the past, the grant, which awards $56,000 over two years, was used to cover travel and administrative costs. Kalahiki said the organization must raise that money elsewhere to keep the program intact.

With three major competitions per year, plus qualifying rounds and smaller events, “an athlete can travel up to six times a year,” Kalahiki said. Roundtrip airfare costs up to $200 per athlete depending on the season. Last year, the program spent over $28,000 on travel expenses.

Without the county grant, Kalahiki said she will either have to limit the number of athletes that travel to competitions or focus more on fundraising. Donations are hard to come by in such a small community already hurt by the slow economy, she added.

Last month, six Molokai athletes went to Maui to participate in Cops on Top, a fundraiser that took place statewide. Officers from the Maui Police Department spent three days atop the Lahaina Safeway and solicited donations from customers. They came in just short of their goal of $5,000, which will go to Molokai Special Olympics.

“It’s hard,” explained Kalahiki. “You’re asking tourists and it gets to the point that you’re begging for their dollar. It’s humbling.”

Molokai Special Olympics welcomes volunteers to join as coaches and partner athletes; call Rita Kalahiki at 567-9029 to register.

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Heavy Lifting

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

Amid grunts, cheers and dripping sweat, Molokai’s strongest men and women showed what they are made of last Saturday at Na Pu`uwai’s first Fitness Expo.

Around 200 people filled the Fitness Center’s parking lot and grounds to watch the competitions and learn about fitness, nutrition and health.

The main events of the day were the Strong Man and Strong Wahine contests, which challenged contestants to lift, drag, push and even flip weights and tires – some twice their body weight. These contests were previously held at Na Pu`uwai’s annual Health Fair in the winter.

After a day of bulging muscles and strained faces, Na Pu`uwai’s Peter Pale, the defending champion, won the heavyweight division. Shane Adolpho bested the lightweight division and Kelly Rawlins came out on top in the women’s.

The Expo kicked off early in the morning with a 10K run and walk. Kevin Dudoit finished first overall while the top women’s finisher was Sue Forbes-Kikukawa.

There were also weight lifting and bench press contests, luring members of the crowd to test their strengths, and even kids’ push-up contests. Inside, blasting music provided a jumpy soundtrack to the aerobics classes that ran throughout the day.

Not to be confused with the Health Fair, which will continue to be held in the winter, the Fitness Expo was organized to reach out to the community and “expose our attitude” – a combination of fitness, health and nutrition – said Pale, gym manager.

“Na Pu`uwai’s goal is to get more people thinking that way,” he said.

Pale said many of Na Pu`uwai services are underutilized and events like this let people know more about their facilities.

The Expo, six months in the making, hosted booths on physical therapy, personal training and nutrition, which offered samples of salads and smoothies with banana, cantaloupe, pineapple, radish and zucchini.

“If you don’t have it out, no one knows what it tastes like!” said Josette Dudoit, a dietician at Na Pu`uwai.

At another booth, workers did blood pressure tests. While so much of fitness focuses on the outside appearance, this may not reflect actual health, according to Susan Ka`ahanui, a community health worker at Na Pu`uwai.

“I’ve seen people who are really skinny and fit but have high blood pressure, so it’s good to have a check,” said Kaahanui.

Posted in Community, Sports

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Tennis Sends Two

Thursday, May 13th, 2010

Molokai High School’s Mason Horner and Kanahele Montizor made it to the tennis state championships last week in Kailua-Kona, representing Molokai with their double prowess. They came away just one game shy of entering the finals.

Seniors Horner and Montizor defeated a team from Baldwin High School, 6-4, 6-3, but were later eliminated by Kilani High School of Honolulu – who rank seventh in state – 6-3, 6-0.

“It was good playing schools out of the normal Maui County schools,” Horner said.

Coach Stacey Horner said that amid the intense pressure of competing in the state championships, the boys performed well and should feel proud to make it beyond the Maui Interscholastic League finals.

Posted in Sports

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Batter Up

Ready, Set, Hike!

Maui News Honors Molokai Star Athlete

Making Waves

Off to the Races

Record Attempt Makes a Slash

Adolpho Third in State High Jump

Olympic Hurdles

Heavy Lifting

Tennis Sends Two

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