State cross country at Kula?

KILAUEA — A light rainbow greeted spectators who arrived on the campus of the Kula High & Intermediate School on Saturday as the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation (KIF) heralded the start of the 2004 cross country season.

John Cornell of Kula had been working hard to get the campus (and race course) in shape for the opening, but beyond that, is even eyeing a bid for the state cross country championships that will be rotating through Kaua‘i next year (2005).

A corps of volunteers headed by Chelsea Loughead, Ruth Belmonte, and Belmonte’s daughter Kaylee anchored the scorers’ table while Kula parents and supporters manned the finish line and served as course marshals, and support staff for the four high schools’ fields of runners and coaches.

One of the aspects of the Kula course, off Kuhio Highway near Kilauea, that may make it appealing to schedulers of the Hawaii High School Athletic Association state meet is its spectator-friendly nature, Cornell said. Spectators are able to see most of the race from their vantage point on what Cornell describes as “a true cross country” course.

The challenging and gnarly nature of the course, combined with the misty conditions the night before the opening, pushed officials to reverse the course due to some hills being slippery. But, it wasn’t the slippery hills that got Kaua‘i High School runner Cassie Murashige, who fell victim to a hole that was concealed by grass. The Red Raider had been holding a firm second-place slot, going down just before completing the third of three legs on the course.

Parking is another factor considered for a site to be in the running as a state course, and Cornell said there are a few neighboring lots that could be groomed into parking areas should the state look at the Kula course.

At the Saturday opening, spectators filled the school’s parking areas and overflowed onto the road shoulders leading to and around the Waipake campus, but due to the early start time, there were few traffic tie-ups.

Infrastructure is yet another aspect for a site to be considered as a state course, and the nearby Kilauea town sports a variety of eateries as well as the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, which presents a natural environmental classroom for visiting students and their relatives. The center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. except on federal holidays.

As the hour of the first race neared, the rainbow had disappeared, the morning mist replaced by warming sunshine and cooling breezes. But, it had already done its job of welcoming people to Kula, Cornell studying the field and noting, “It going to be a great season.”