As Spring sports are coming down the final stretch, two Kahuku High girls teams — water polo, and track and field —definitely turned on the kicker on May 3 to claim their respective OIA titles.

Water Polo

Athletic Director Joe Whitford [pictured at upper right] reported the Kahuku girls won their sixth consecutive OIA title, and are still undefeated in all those years of season play. "They're the two-seed in the State championships again, so we'll see how they do," he said. "They've finished consecutive runners-up in the State finals [May 7-10] the last three years. It's hard to knock off those ILH teams, but I think this might be their best year as far as their conditioning and skill."

Whitford, who used to coach the water polo team before taking over AD duties, said despite Kahuku's dominance, the other OIA teams "always put up a fight. We all have to play the game, and one day we'll get beaten. Next year might be the year, because we have six or seven seniors graduating."

For example, he singled out the contributions of Ella Aiwohi — "I think everybody's realizing what a great goalie she is" — and Gina Ahue, who led the team in scoring this year, as well as Rosie Jaffurs. "We're really going to miss them." He added that coach Makana Whitford has introduced Aiwohi and Ahue to the UH program, and they hope to walk on in the Fall.

"We also had a few freshman step up, and other intermediate students that no other OIA high school has. So, for example, some of our girls have played for six years. No other public school has that, but all the private ones do. They play from seventh grade."

He explained this includes two freshman who "broke the starting line-up: twin sisters Tahnei and Brooke Roy from Sunset Beach. They're about 5'10" each. We also had a transfer come in from Kaimuki: senior Krea Bronco was their best player last year, but her parents moved to Kaaawa."

Whitford said the girls also "plan to play all summer for the North Shore Water Polo Club using the BYU-Hawaii pool for practice. They have two tournaments."

Track & Field

"It was anticipated going in that the season could be pretty good for us, but it's now safe to say the girls track team did especially well," Whitford continued. "Zhane Santiago, the daughter of Keala and Anue Santiago of Hauula, won three events — the long jump, 100 and 300 meter hurdles, and she was part of the 4X100 team that also took second. It's pretty amazing, because she's only a freshman; the week before she won four races and a second place."

(Left-right): Zhane Santiago, Tela Schwenke, Juleesa
Kawaauhau, Hiilei Cummings, Chele Robertson-Kapo'o,
Lani Speers, Tajana Santiago and Ashley Burt. (Missing:
Ke'i Wasson, Leona Ramires and Naomi Blanchard)

Kahuku High JV track team champions (left-right):
Maia McArthur, Alana Aluli, Keily Au, Zhane Santiago
and Hi'ilei Cummings (missing: Nalia Stant and Rachel
Ta'ilele). The seven girls scored a total of 107 points.
(Photos courtesy of Anue Santiago)

"We did not run the 4X400 on Thursday, so we couldn't run it on Saturday, but they did well, winning by 31 points over second-place Radford. Some of the other girls who did well were Lani Speers in the jumps and Hiilei Cummings. The throwers also did well: Juleesa Kawaauhau and Tela Schwenke.

Whitford said the girls are looking forward to the State meet at Mililani on May 16-17. "It should be pretty exciting, and next year we're going to be very strong. For example, Zhane's older sister, Tajana Santiago, a junior, should have been part of the mix this year, but she hurt her foot. They're also both very good in soccer. For example, Zhane led the varsity soccer team in scoring this year."

"On the boys side, Paipai Falemalu did well, placing in the discus and shot put," Whitford said.

Softball

"Unfortunately, we lost in the playoffs, so we will not be in the State tournament," Whitford reported.

Boys Volleyball

"The boys volleyball team lost a heart-breaker to Kaimuki in the OIA White Division semifinals — they lost 27-25 and 26-24, which was kind of a surprise for us; but I think they will do well in the State tournament."

Judo

"In judo we finished second in the OIA team championships for girls to perennial power Pearl City," Whitford continued.

Baseball

The Kahuku High team finished third in the OIA and is advancing to the State championships. "We've never been to a state championship, so this is a great opportunity for them to do well," Whitford said. "Cousins R.J. and Steve Van Ness, the son of the coach, are leading the team."

Tennis

"In tennis we had one qualifier for State: Tyler Augenbaugh, a junior.

Golf

"In golf Misiona Tanuvasa will compete individually in the State tournament."

Spring Football

"Spring practice starts on May 20, and the annual Red & White game, a scrimmage, will be on Monday, June 2, about 6 p.m.

"I think the boys will be willing to work hard and get back to where they should be," Whitford said. "They've got a lot of pride, and I'm pretty optimistic about this coming year."

"For example, the University of Hawaii has already made early scholarship offers for Jray Galea'i and Aulola Tonga. Jray also has an offer on the table from BYU in Provo."

Asked if this doesn't put extra pressure on the athletes, Whitford recalled that when his daughter, Makana, got an early offer to play water polo for UH, "it kind of took a load off the anxiety of hoping for a scholarship."

In other sports reports, Whitford pointed out Kahuku has had a "tough time with our budgets, with the increased costs of everything. Just on transportation alone, we'll be in the hole about $15,000," he said, partially explaining that the regular budget does not cover post-season play; "and I've just been told the bus company is increasing their costs 15% next year."

"Many of our teams make it to the playoffs, so we're going to have to tighten our belts," he continued, speculating the school may have to start charging the athletes — "kind of a pay for play situation."

On the upside, Whitford noted that this year has seen the "greatest participation" in Kahuku High sports since he took over six years ago. "We've had 835 athletes, and our school population is only 1,109. Of course, some of them are double counted — but it's still over half of our students. We like that because these kids get on grade check and they keep their grades up."

"Also, because we live in a rural area, there are very few jobs for our young people, so this keeps them occupied. We're going to keep biting the bullet and finding equipment. For example, we had 160 kids sign up for football."

Asked if it would help to cut "smaller" sports teams, Whitford emphasized that Kahuku Principal Lisa DeLong does not want to do that, "and I have to agree with her. For example, the bowling team had 24 kids on it, some of whom would never play any other sport. We added a girls volleyball team, and another 16 girls got to play: Whereas in the past we only had 30 playing, this past year we had 48. It's really hard to cut sports and deny the kids involved."

Whitford reiterated that students benefit grade-wise: "It they want to play, they have to keep their grades up," he said.

"Overall, we have to be pleased — given the facilities we have and the funding — that we're able to do as well as we do."

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