Sports

Spring Sports Blossom

Wednesday, March 10th, 2010

It’s that time of season. The skies are beginning to clear up, the sun is becoming brighter and Molokai High School’s spring sports are about to ensue. This season will see the Farmers compete in five different sports, and coaches predict nothing but a bright forecast for their athletes.

Tennis
While many of the spring sports are still in their pre-season conditioning phase, tennis got a head start with its first tournament this past weekend in Maui.

In a two-day series, the Molokai High boys’ and girls’ tennis teams were defeated in both matches. On Friday the boys lost to St. Anthony High School 3-2, while the girls lost 5-0.

On Saturday, Lahainaluna High School took a clean sweep over the Farmers, landing a 4-1 victory over the boys, and 5-0 victory over the girls.

Coach Stacey Horner said both teams went up hard against St. Anthony and Lahainaluna and did the best they could.

“They did pretty good for their first time,” he said. “They’re dealing with nerves and played two tough teams. Both [of the other] teams have veteran players so it was difficult.”

Horner said they took only six girls and five boys, and therefore didn’t have a full match over the weekend. Although the team opened the season with a pair of losses, Horner still remains optimistic for the team’s season.

going really good. We’re incorporating different approaches and new training techniques.”

Last season saw a couple Molokai finalists in the MILs, and two girls even advanced to the state championships in high jump. And according to Ford, the team appears poised to do it all again.

The team’s first meet will be the Satoki Yamamoto Invitational at the War Memorial Stadium in Wailuku March 19-20.

Boys’ Volleyball
The boys’ volleyball team will hold its first meet at Molokai High against Seabury on April 2. Coaches were unavailable for comment.

Wrestling Wraps Up Season
With three finishes in the state championships on Feb. 26-28, the wrestling coach reflects on their ‘surprising’ season.

“I think we definitely surprised some people,” Coach Randy Manley said. “We were a very young team experience-wise and ended up finishing second in the MILs.”

Of the eight Molokai High wrestlers that qualified for the state finals on Sunday at Blaisdell Arena in Oahu, Charisse Manley (130 lbs) placed fourth overall for the girls, and Delfin Corpuz (152 lbs) placed fourth for the boys, while Mikayla Pico (98 pounds) placed sixth overall.

“I wasn’t too surprised with the results,” Manley said. “I thought we would end up with a few more thirds – they missed it just by one point – but overall they did well.”

As for next season, Manley has high hopes.

“We have few seniors coming back, but a strong core,” he said. “I’m looking forward to see how they do.”

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‘Good Season’ for Wrestlers

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

Out of the eight Molokai High wrestlers sent to the state finals on Sunday at Blaisdell Arena in Oahu, Charisse Manley (130 lbs) placed fourth overall for the girls, and Delfin Corpuz (152 lbs) placed fourth for the boys, while Mikayla Pico (98 pounds) placed sixth overall.

Coach Ben Venenciano said five other Molokai wrestlers took fifth, and the team as a whole did fairly well.

“It was a good season, a good year,” he said. “We got a lot of compliments.”

The other wahine wrestlers that advanced were Kaulanarose Akaka (125) and Chelsie Davids (220) for the girls, placing 15th overall. The kane wrestlers Simon Blair (130), Kevin Dudoit (135) and Darius Caparida (160) placed Molokai at 16th overall.

that hard work pays off, discipline makes you better – not only as a player, but as a person. They learn to accept the highs with the lows.

"All-in-all I'm so proud of them. The island of Molokai should be so proud of these girls."

Coach Hooper would like to give a big mahalo to the parents for support, participating in the girls' basketball interests and bringing them to practice; as well as the athletic department, community, coaching staff, concession workers, and the girls for a great season and “putting up with me as a coach – I push them hard."

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Weekend Sports Yield Mixed Results

Thursday, February 25th, 2010

Saturday’s Maui Interscholatic League (MIL) wrestling tournament at Lahainaluna High School saw Molokai finish second overall with 14 wrestlers – nine boys and five girls – advancing to the state championship meet.

While Lahainaluna High finished first overall with a total of 250 points for their boys’ team and 137 points for their girls’ team, Molokai didn’t trail too far behind.

Molokai’s Kevin Dudoit took first in his 135-pound class, while second-seeded Mikayla Pico took first for the girls at 98 pounds.

Other Molokai girls to take first in their weight class were third-seeded Kaulanarose Akaka at 125 pounds and Chelsie Davids at 220 pounds.

from 12 to eight. Unfortunately, they only send the championship team.”

Girls’ Basketball

Although a second consecutive state championship title was not far from reach for the Molokai High girls’ basketball team, Kaimuki High’s 41-32 victory over the Lady Farmers denied them the crown.

Friday night’s Division II championship game at Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu saw the second-seeded Bulldogs sweep the title, leaving the top-seeded Lady Farmers to finish their season at 11-1.

With a fierce defense, the Bulldogs limited Molokai’s lead scorers Kalei Adolpho and Danna-Lynn Hooper-Juario. While Adolpho scored 12 of the Farmers 32 points, Hooper-Juario was confined to four.

The game also saw the final high school performance of four Molokai seniors including Hooper-Juario, Jamie and Jolenta Duvauchelle, Puna Kawamae – all of whom started in Friday’s game.

Coaches were not available for comment.

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Lady Farmers Clinch MIL Tournament, Advance to Semifinals

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Wednesday at Kalani High, the Molokai High girls’ basketball team won its quarterfinal game against Kaiser, 67-56, advancing them into today’s semifinals of the state championships.

Seeded No. 1, the Lady Farmers (11-0) gained a 15-8 edge in the first eight minutes of Wednesday’s game against the Cougars, which increased to 38-24 at halftime. After a third-quarter tie, Kaiser outscored Molokai by three points, only to lose it shortly thereafter, when the Lady Farmers came back to win it.

The Farmers are going on to play Kahuku Thursday at 7 p.m. at Kalani in their semi-final game.

Last weekend, the Lady Farmers left the Maui Interscholastic League (MIL) tournament the same way they arrived: undefeated. In a two-game tournament at Hana, the Molokai High girls’ basketball team snagged the overall league title by an average of 49 points.

The girls took a 54-18 victory their first game, and then had a blowout second game with a score of 72-8.

“It was a team effort,” assistant coach Kevan Dudoit said. “All of our players gained post-season experience. Not many teams can say that.”

Dudoit said the girls go into every season with one goal – to be state champions.

“This year, they want to come back to Molokai with a second state title,” he said.

Boy’s Basketball

Although Molokai High’s boys’ basketball team was defeated by Lanai Friday, the boys retaliated and stole a win Saturday, 58-40 over the Pine Lads.

Molokai coach Lee DeRouin said during Friday’s game the boys came out with too much energy that resulted in some foul trouble and an “over-extended defense.”

“They came out Friday playing too hard,” DeRouin said, “and Lanai took advantage of our misses.”

The boys came out Saturday more relaxed, and with more patience, DeRouin said – ultimately giving them the victory.

Molokai senior Alvin Ringor scored the game’s high of 16 points, Kamakana Duvauchelle-Andrade followed shortly behind with 15, and Julien Bumatay had 10 to lead the Farmers into a split win against Lanai.

“It had been three to four years since Lanai had lost,” DeRouin said. “It was a big win in a hostile environment.”

DeRouin contributed the comeback to a “great” collaborative effort by the team and said the win will help fire up motivation when the boys face off with Lanai again next week for the MIL tournament.

“They need to rest physically and mentally,” DeRouin said.

The boys’ team finished its regular Division II season at 5-3, and will meet at the War Memorial Gym in Maui on Thursday for the MIL tournament.

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Skating to Freedom

Wednesday, February 17th, 2010

Nick Keoho, 19, began skating a year ago, “to stay out of trouble.” And that’s exactly why Surfing the Nations comes to Molokai and hosts their Freedom Skate Contest, held last Saturday.

The organization promotes skateboarding and surfing activities for Hawaii’s youth, to keep them free from drugs and alcohol. Surfing the Nations originally built Molokai’s skate park a few years ago, and was asked to come back. So they created the skateboarding contest, now in its second year.

“It’s what we can do to excited the youth…give them a variety of things to do,” said director Charis Bauer. Her organization also does service projects while on Molokai, such as yard clean-ups and working at the mental health drop-in center.

This year’s number of participants doubled, from 16 to 34 this year. Nicole…, a Surfing the Nation volunteer, said she recognized some kids from last year and saw their improvements.

“They’re just charging it,” she said.

The contestants varied from ages three to over 50, broken down into three age groups: under 11, 11-18, and 18-plus – this was the first year the older age group was included.

Although Keoho only competed against two others in his age group, after only skating a year won first place.

Kainalu Dudoit, a seventh-grader at MMS, has also only been skateboarding for a short time – two years – while his parents weren’t even sure he’d be able to walk. Dudoit was born with spinal dysraphism, causing bilateral club feet. Even with surgery, his parents weren’t sure if he’d be able to walk – but at Saturday’s contest, Dudoit won fifth place for his fast feet skills.

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Raising Funds for Fun

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

A few dozen Special Olympics athletes put their running shoes and basketballs aside and slipped on waiter aprons for their fifth annual fundraiser, “Dance Under The Stars”.

Around 100 supporters enjoyed a meal, entertainment, raffles and a silent auction at Hotel Molokai. Guests could bid on items from Molokai Hot Bread, a collection of Lono’s CDs to Molokai Princess ferry tickets.

Rita Kalahiki, Special Olympics Molokai area administrator, said the most expensive part of their budget is airfare.

” – which means they don’t get to compete at all, she said.

Kalahiki said a lot of these athletes were often the first to be cut on the high school teams, and without the encouragement and work of the volunteer coaches, wouldn’t be playing anymore.

Jim Sonnikson, chairperson of Special Olympics Molokai, is also the coach of bocce ball, which he came across by circumstance.

While driving along the highway many years back, he saw some kids playing and stopped to say hi. They didn’t have a coach, so Sonnikson decided to help them out.

“They’re fun, it’s enjoyable,” he said. “They’re always smiling.”

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Lady Farmers Sweep Victory

Friday, February 12th, 2010

Senior night at The Barn saw a group of rallying fans cheer on the Molokai High girls’ basketball team as they dominated the court and brought home a 52-13 victory over Hana High. In a repeat of Friday night’s game, the Lady Farmers took home a second win against the Dragons (55-20) in their two-game series over the weekend.

Molokai wrestler Michael Torres-Umi stole the junior varsity champ title last weekend with three first-place wins in her respective weight class. Junior Kevin Dudoit also continued to impress with his three matches in the 135-pound division.

Coach Ben Venenciano said that although they lost to Lahaina’s A and B teams, they still beat out Maui High and if anything, this last weekend’s dual meet has made them humble.

“They performed well,” Venenciano said. “We have high hopes for the girls’ team.”

The wrestling MIL tournament will be in Maui on Feb. 20.

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Hawaiian Monk Seals Legislation Pending

Friday, February 12th, 2010

Facing multiple threats of early extinction, Hawaiian monk seals are high on the minds of several state legislators.

Last week, state Sen. Gary Hooser (7th Senatorial District) brought forth SB 2441, which proposes to raise the penalty for intentionally harming or killing Hawaiian monk seals and other endangered species from a misdemeanor to a Class C felony.

The bill was passed out of a joint hearing by the Senate's Water and Land Committee and Energy and Environment Committee last Wednesday. It is set to be heard by the Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs on Feb. 10.

If passed, perpetrators could face up to a $100,000 fine and 40 year imprisonment.

This bill, along with others, arose from th

was because of the misinformation in Hawaii," Ritte said. "Word on the street is that monk seals were introduced by the government, but that's not true. They've always been here.

"They're living fossils. There's no reason for the negative actions taken against them."

Among others to be introduced was HB 2767, a companion bill to Hooser's led by state Rep. Chris Lee (51st Representative District). Mirroring Hooser's efforts, Lee said he hopes for either bill to pass in order to halt the steep decline of monk seals.

"Here's an opportunity to protect an endangered species and it's something that needs to happen today," Lee said. "The real goal is to directly raise the penalties and create public awareness. It's our chance to lay the foundation for the stabilization of a dying population."

HB 2767 has passed its first reading and is currently being heard by the House's Committee on Judiciary and Committee on Water, Land and Ocean Resources.

State Rep. Mina Morita is also joining the movement, introducing legislation of a similar nature. Morita has brought forth a bill (HB 2235) that would also raise the penalty to a felony, alongside a companion bill that would see endangered species informational kiosks placed in airports. HB 2235 has passed its first reading and is being reviewed by the House's Committee on Judiciary and Committee on Water, Land and Ocean Resources.

A pair of bills (SB 2362 and SB 2263) was also introduced by state Sen. Mike Gabbard, and if passed, would help educate tourists about the Hawaiian monk seals and beaches alike. Meanwhile, state Rep. Danny Coffman has introduced a House version of SB 2362 that would require all flights destined for Hawaii to play a public-service announcement on endangered species.

SB 2362 has been passed by the Senate's Committee on Transportation, International and Intergovernmental Affairs and Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs; SB2263 has passed its first reading and awaits further hearings.

While the Hawaiian monk seals' population is likely to drop below 1,000 in the coming years, Ritte says it’s important to address the killings of these rare marine mammals and take the steps necessary to preserve their existence.

“If anyone can understand how an endangered species feels, it's Hawaiians," Ritte said. "We, as Hawaiians, should be able to see ourselves in these monk seals.”

For more information on these bills and where they stand in the House and Senate committees, visit http://hawaii.gov/lrb/par/

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I’m On a Boat

Monday, February 8th, 2010

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has become a regular guest at the Molokai Makahiki Games. Boats from surrounding islands have been making the trip to Kaunakakai for several years to take in the unique native Hawaiian customs.

This year, three boats made the journey and were offering tours to local residents throughout the day on Saturday. The Kiska from Hilo, the Kittiwake from Kauai and a small 45-foot response boat from Maui opened their decks to a steady stream of visitors.

Second Class Boatswain Chris Batton, who was making his second trip to Ka Makahiki, said over 120 people took the 15 minute tours that gave visitors a taste of life below the decks as well as a look at the rescue boats, 25 millimeter cannon and .50 caliber guns on the Kiska and the Kittiwake.

“The tours have been good,” Batton said. “I am a little disappointed that I’m on the boat and not at the games, but that’s alright.”

Many of the sailors from the Coast Guard competed in the games. Rear Admiral Manson Brown, who is in charge of the entire Pacific section of USCG, took part in the opening ceremonies on Saturday morning. The team from the Kittiwake won fourth place overall in the men’s division.

“They’ve been coming for a while now,” said Loretta Ritte, a member of the Makahiki Games committee. “They don’t really know how to play many of the games, but they always seem to enjoy themselves.”

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He’s Going To Be a Contender

Friday, February 5th, 2010

One of Molokai’s favorite local sons, Ekolu Kalama, is hitting the waves again for the Stand Up World Tour 2010. Sunset Beach Pro on the North Shore of Oahu starts on Feb. 6 and the trials go until Feb. 14.

Before this year’s world tour started, the Waterman League hosted Hinano’s ‘Stand Up World Tour Contenders,’ where Kalama and others participated in an exhibition contest in Teahupo`o, Tahiti late last year. Amongst some of the most challenging conditions in the world, Kalama was voted the winner of that contest and set the level of judging for the world tour.

Last July, Kalama won the 32-mile Rainbow Sandals Molokai to Oahu Paddleboard Race Stand Up Paddle division, his first solo win. He also beat the previous world record by an hour, clocking in at 5:02:06.

More information can be found at the Waterman League’s website, http://watermanleague.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=section&layout=blog&id=2&Itemid=41

Good luck Ekolu!

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Sports

Spring Sports Blossom

‘Good Season’ for Wrestlers

Weekend Sports Yield Mixed Results

Lady Farmers Clinch MIL Tournament, Advance to Semifinals

Skating to Freedom

Raising Funds for Fun

Lady Farmers Sweep Victory

Hawaiian Monk Seals Legislation Pending

I’m On a Boat

He’s Going To Be a Contender

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