For the last Kaleo Kahuku High sports report of the school year, Athletic Director Joe Whitford characterized 2007-08 performance and results as "good, with the most participants."

"We ended up with 851 students participating out of a school population of 1,102, or about three-fourths. Some of those are double-counted because they play more than one sport; however I think we're providing something for our students besides academics that's beneficial," he said. "In that light, it was also a very positive year for us."

"Of course, we're not going to win every championship in every sport, but we had some highlights":

• "Hat's off to Reggie Torres' girls wrestling team who won the state title. Most local people know Sports Illustrated recently crowned Punahou as the best high school in the nation in athletics, so any time we can reel off a state championship against schools like that, that's very, very commendable."

Whitford also commended their work ethic and commitment to athletics. "Overall, they've done very, very well." He added that the girls water polo team comes in a close second. "They were very committed as well, and came in third in the state" [behind Punahou and Kamehameha].

• "In fact, many of the girls sports have really stepped up this year. They did very well in volleyball: They were the top placer outside the ILH, finishing fourth behind Punahou, Kamehameha and Iolani. We also did well in girls track and judo. So, in many ways, the girls were much more successful than the boys were this past year."

Whitford said he and others have discussed the Punahou article in terms of closing the gap between Hawaii public and private schools. "As a public school we don't have the facilities or financial wherewithal they do. Their parents send their kids to camps in the mainland where, because of our economic situation in the part of the island where we live, we don't usually have those kinds of opportunities. So, we think of ways to at least close the gap."

"What we can't make up in finances or facilities, we try to make up in spirit. In the past six years we've won 14 state titles — the most of any public school in the state," he continued. "Our students also have to focus better and continue to do well in school because Punahou and most private schools have no issues with academics. Parents have to help out in that effort, too."

Whitford stressed he's happy for any family whose students can go to private schools, but pointed out those schools pick the best of the best, "whereas public schools have to take everybody in the district, and we're still confident we can continue to do well."

"I also hear complaints from coaches, sometimes, that kids just want to have fun; but I think the fun comes after winning," Whitford said. He added that most of the coaches will be coming back next year. "That's a positive. Anytime we can continue to build on what we have makes it easier."

"We're fortunate for the coaches we have, and we're grateful they've stepped up; because it's not easy in these times to devote so much of their personal time to assist in the growth of our youth athletically. To be able to challenge the state's best, you've got to put in the time, and the students really have to want it, too."

Whitford said he feels one of the "biggest hurdles in high school athletics is that too many kids just don't want to make the effort to do well. They think if they don't do well, they'll just do something else. The attitude of the athletes is critical, so the schools and coaches that can work with their athletes are going to do better."

He also praised the coaches "because they don't make a lot of money" for their efforts. "A lot of the time they're doing it just because they want to help, and we're fortunate that many of our coaches graduated from Kahuku and this is their opportunity to give back. They're balancing their personal lives with helping at school and in the communities."

In reference to specific Spring teams, Whitford reported the following:

Baseball

"The varsity baseball team made it to the D2 state tournament and got to play three out of the four days, finishing in eighth place," he said. "They had a rough time keeping kids eligible, but they were able to pull it together. Coaches Steve Van Ness and Roger Van Ness did a commendable job."

Whitford pointed out that senior shortstop Jordan Kamae made the All-Star team while players Steve and R.J. Van Ness, the coach's son and nephew, were named First Team pitcher and utility player, respectively. He added that because Kahuku won the OIA D2 title, they must return to D1 competition next year.

Coaches from the OIA White league also recently named Wesley Iongi (outfield) and Kekoa Hughes (catcher) to the Second team.

Golf

"Congratulations to Enoka Kahawai'i, who did a great job and was chosen East Player of the Year. I think his average for the season was 73. He's a junior, so he'll be back next year."

"We only had three golfers most of the time, so we didn't qualify for OIA and state golf, where you need four players for team competition," Whitford said.

Judo

"Our girls finished third in the state, with a special congratulations to state champion Amanda Soliai, who also won a state title in wrestling," Whitford continued. He noted that a couple of the team members were eliminated in the first round, which hurt chances for a better finish.

Tennis

"Our boys had one entrant in the state tournament — junior Tyler Augenbaugh — who was eliminated in the second round.

Track & Field

The Kahuku girls placed third in the state, largely on the strength of Zhane Santiago's three individual championships in the triple jump (35-07.00), 100m hurdles (15.12) and 300m hurdles (46.22). She also placed third in the long jump (17-00.50).

"The girls also won the OIA JV and OIA championships," Whitford said. "If we had to select a player of the year for the girls, it would be a tough battle between freshman Santiago and Amanda Soliai."

Girls water polo

As noted above, the girls team ended up third in the state, with Ella Aiwohi and Gina Ahue being named to the All-State First Team. "They were tied 5-5 at the half with Kamehameha in the semifinals, but lost 8-5," Whitford said. "It was a tough battle, but they came back to beat Lahainaluna, the MIL champ, for third-place. This was the best finish by a public school."

Boys volleyball

Whitford reported the boys team went to the state tournament as the OIA champions, but didn't win any games.

Miscellaneous

• The fall football schedule is out, with the first varsity Interleague game set against Kamehameha on August 15, 5 p.m. at Aloha Stadium, and the JV team playing the next day at Kahuku at 6 p.m. The other dates are posted on the Kaleo Community Calendar.

Whitford also noted that the varsity will travel to Kealakehe on the island of Hawaii on August 29. "That's our preseason game. We're going there this year, and they'll fly here next year," he said, adding Kahuku had earlier thought we might play a Las Vegas team but couldn't work out the details.

• Leilani Tafuna has accepted a full scholarship to play volleyball for Wright State University, a school of approximately 17,000 students in Dayton, Ohio.

• Whitford explained over the summer break, while some students are participating on their own in various independent leagues and activities, he'll be working on setting up the athletics budget for next year. "We probably ended up this year about $20,000 in the hole — much of that was transportation. So, we'll be looking at some fundraising opportunities. Lisa DeLong, the principal, and I have even been talking about charging the student athletes $20 to play because of increased costs."

"Otherwise, we'll be fine next school year. Football will be really exciting," he said. "That's one sport where we can definitely compete with anyone."

• Whitford said Kahuku might discontinue selling football passes for the coming season. If that happens, he explained the fans will undoubtedly be unhappy to lose the modest discount on ticket prices, but more important "the passes meant not having to stand in line to buy tickets for the game. It's not for sure yet," he stressed.