Poi Poundahs Win Big

The Molokai Poi Poundahs are Xaria Bicoy, Sophia Coombs, Nanea Elaban, Lea Heen, Aaliyah Jordan, Séa Labrador, Oli Nei Lau, Kaialana Lester, Kailana Kaupu Martinez, Hahani Pastrana, Zoey Place, Kaiolohia Puhi, Mahea Puhi, Kailee Tanabe, and Qarah Torres Umi Napoleon. Shown here with coaches Kathy Puhi and Naomi Bicoy. Submitted photo.

By Dayanti Karunaratne | Editor

As sports fans all over tuned into the World Cup, one group of Molokai athletes took their own soccer trip. In early June, the Molokai Poi Poundahs traveled to Huntington Beach, California to compete in the annual Sun and Surf tournament — and they took home first place in their age bracket.

“The girls really worked together, and played as a unit, and it made a huge difference,” Coach Kathy Puhi said. She noted their first loss was to the team they beat in the championship game. She chalked it up to the girlsʻ determination and ability to come together as a team. 

Off the field, the team had fun mixing with their host team from Huntington Beach.

“We practised with them one night,” Puhi said. “The girls mingled with them, we did icebreaker [games], and we had a fun scrimmage. It was really fun because they were cheering us on [in the tournament] and we were cheering them on.” 

Puhi wanted to thank the County of Maui Office of Economic Development, and their nonprofit partner No Ke Aloha O Molokai, for supporting this opportunity.

Next up for the Poi Poundahs is the Oahu Rainbow Tournament in July. This is the fifth time the team will compete in this tournament — and, given their age, possibly the last. The group first came together in 2022, when the girls were nine- and ten-year-olds. Now they are 13 and 14; those who are entering high school this summer will have to leave the team.

“Thereʻs so much critical thinking and creativity in soccer, that I don’t think  appears in every other sport,” Puhi said. “Thereʻs so much creativity and freedom allowed in it. Itʻs a wonderful, beautiful sport.”