2013 Varsity Girls Softball Season Opener - Moanalua Na Menehune and Castle Knights

The pre-season is intended to familiarize teammates with each other and prepare for the regular season games.  It also gives coaches some insight on who should play in what position and the players strengths and weaknesses.  Well this 2013 Girls Varsity Softball Preseason was an eye opener for the Moanalua Na Menehune Girls Softball team, but it was a great team effort and learning experience for the girls going into the new season.

Today was Moanalua's first season game of the year against the Castle Knights held at Castle High School Softball Field in Kaneohe.  The Moanalua girls must have gone over their preseason game tapes because they sure came out to play this afternoon. They looked like a totally different team.  The game started off at a slow pace and got heated up after a little rain from the Ko'olau's.

Both teams had their share of errors, but in the end the Na Menehune turned on the turbo and pulled ahead.  They were all over the field stopping the Knights from scoring.  Moanalua Senior Kiana Mattos-Felicilda (photo above) dove for and held onto the ball, and the team ended the game with a double play to win it 6-1.  I thought the umpire was going to rule a "no-catch," but the photo shows otherwise!  It was an exciting first season game for the girls.  After the game, Moanalua Girls Head Coach Kristie Morikawa said "it was a great team win and a good start to our season." Congratulations" to the Moanalua Na Menehune and the Castle Knights. Click Candid photos to see the game photos.

25th Anniversary Law Enforcement Canoe Regatta 1988-2013 - Kailua Kona, Hawaii

In 1988-89, Gilbert Gaspar Jr., an officer with the Hawaii Police Department used to paddle canoe. Since SHOPO holds their annual softball and basketball tournaments every year, he thought it would be a good idea to have a canoe regatta involving law enforcement personnel. Gilbert got it started and hosted it for the first five years. He then decided to expand the regatta to include the outer islands. All monies raised are donated to different charity organizations including the March of Dimes, American Heart Association and Special Olympics Hawaii. The host island decides which charity organization they will donate their proceeds to. 

These races have been very special with a team (Team Glen) named after police officer Gilbert Gaspar's brother Glen who was fatally shot on March 4, 2003 while attempting to arrest a suspect at Kapolei Basket-Robbins.

Gilbert has since decided to pass on the torch so others can get involved, and this is how the Annual President's Day Law Enforcement Regatta got started in Hawaii.

This year, the 25th Hawaii Law Enforcement Canoe Regatta is being held in Kailua-Kona.  I spoke to Sgt. Rollin S.K. Rabara (photo left w/white t-shirt) of the Hawaii Police Department who is in charge of organizing this year's event.  He said hopefully all the "pioneers" of the first regattas back in the good old days will come back to paddle, and celebrate this special event.  All proceeds this year benefit Special Olympics West Hawaii.

I spoke with Coach Charlie Kamai who related Norman Ahina was one of the original paddlers along with Gilbert Gaspar, as well as himself and Reggie Zoller from District 3.  Norman loved paddling and passed away at age 50.  Coach Charlie Kamai decided that this event, be in honor of Norman Ahina as "Team Ahina."

Today's event was kicked off with a blessing by Hawaii Police Chaplin, Lani Larrua.  The team participants were the Kona Fire Dept., (photo above) who took 1st place in the Men's long distance race, followed by Halawa "A", Halawa "C", Team Glenn, and Halawa "B."  In the Women's Long Distance, Halawa took 1st place followed by Team Glenn "1", Team Glenn "2", and Mahina.  Over all, Halawa dominated the event wins followed by Team Glenn, Hawaii Makai, "C" Watch Kona, BI HFD and Ahina Women.

Special recognition to Area Director, Sandie Dela Cruz, Special Olympics West Hawaii, Sgt., Rollin Rabara, Walter Ahmow (photo above w/Rollin), Lt. Darin Horio, Officer Steven Kashimoto, and especially to Boat Captain James Ako. Candid photos "click here". Dinner and Award Video "click here".

HHSAA 32nd Annual Girls Soccer State & OIA 2013 Swimming & Diving Championship Finals

What an exciting week this has been for the 2013 HHSAA Outrigger Hotels and Resorts 32nd Annual Girls Soccer State Championship held at the Waipio Soccer Complex, and the OIA Swimming and Diving Championship held at the Central Oahu Regional Park - Veterans Memorial Aquatic Center Waipahu, HI.

In the Division I Girls Soccer, Iolani took the HHSAA State Championship over Punahou 3-1, and 3rd place Kaiser over Mililani 1-0, 5th place Konawaena and Kamehameha-Maui 0-0 and Consolation King Kekaulike and Kealakehe 3-3. More stats "click here."

As for the OIA Swimming and Diving Championship, Kaiser High School took 1st place with 593 points followed by Mililani 443, Kalani 303, Moanalua 236, Roosevelt 227, Kapolei 188, James Campbell 171, Castle 96.5, Leilehua 96, Kahuku 95.5, Farrington 72, Kalaheo 41, McKinley 30, Pearl City 27, Radford 20, Aiea 19 and Waialua High School 10. More stats "click here." Candid photos "click here."

The Iolani Raiders and Moanalua Na Menehune battled it out this past Thursday.  At half time both teams were equal defensively, but into the second half Iolani seniors Jill Shimabuku and Ashley Park-Hunt came firing back and call it what you want, but both scored 1 point each to end the game 2-0.  Candid photos "click here."It was a disappointing night for the Na Menehune, but it was even harder the next day when they lost to Konawaena Wildcats 2-0, ending their season.  Konawaena came in 5th place as they played Kamehameha-Maui 0-0 tied. Candid photos and Moanalua "click here."