The season ended the same way it began – with several hard hits and an emphatic bang. The Kaua’i Pop Warner season came to its conclusion last weekend with the Kaua’i Coconut Memorial Bowl games at the Kapa’a New Park.
The season ended the same way it began – with several hard hits and an emphatic bang.
The Kaua’i Pop Warner season came to its conclusion last weekend with the Kaua’i Coconut Memorial Bowl games at the Kapa’a New Park.
Teams from San Diego, Hilo and Kona played Kaua’i Pop Warner teams in a clash that not only provided young gridiron players with experience, but honored the late Wilfred Kaui and Tom Harper.
The San Diego Costal Tritons (2-6), who traveled with nineteen players, fell to the Koloa Packers (7-3) 40-14 in the first games of the day.
Despite the loss, the Tritons had a blast. They were hosted by the Koloa Association after the game with a potluck. Later in the evening the team and all the coaches, parents and supporters were treated to a real Hawaiian style Luau put on by the Kapa’a Pop Warner Association, hosted by Vice-President Cindy Shigematsu and her husband Delroy Shigematsu.
In the second game, the Koloa Rams (8-2) edged the the Puna Titans (3-3-1) 34-6 in a Pee Wee contest at Kapa’a New Park .
Both teams had a potluck after their game, which was hosted by the Koloa Association. Big Island President Charles Nahale was on hand for the contests, along with Vice-President Mr. Darryl Akiona, who resides on the Kona side of the Big Island.
In the third game, the Lihue Patriots (4-3) out ran the Puna Titans (2-4) 50-14 in a Midget contest.
The Titans also attended the Luau and enjoyed the Kaua’i hospitality.
In the final game, the Hanapepe Cowboys blanked the S.R.M. Kona Hawaiians (2-6-1) 34-0.
The question of the day? Will Pop Warner return to the Kapa’a area after all these years?
The answer? It depends.
These games were officiated by Officials from Maui. There were nine officials on hand for the games and they did a good job officiating the Memorial Bowl.
Mayor Maryann Kusaka was on hand to dedicate the new lights at the park.
Two plaques were also dedicated for Kaui and Harper and two donated palm trees were planted close to the plaques to honor their names.
Coach Robert Cremer of the Kapa’a Vikings Midget team worked on getting the plaques and plants squared away.
Family members of both Kaui and Harper were on hand to assist in planting the trees. Also on hand for the dedication was Kauai Pop Warner League Manager Mr. Les Hiranaka, a long time coach with the Kapa’a Pop Warner Association as a Pee Wee head coach and a close personal friend of Harper’s.
League President Mr. Abraham Hiwa Makanui also assisted in the dedication.
Until next season, aloha and Happy Holidays from the Kauai Pop Warner Football League Board of Directors.
